Noctua
Noctua Chromax Black Swap 120mm 1850RPM PWM Computer Case Fan w/Anti-Vibration Pads
Bottom line: The Noctua Chromax Black Swap 120mm 1850RPM PWM Computer Case Fan ($39.32 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 10:20 UTC): Only 15mm thick - fits low-profile coolers and ITX cases that reject 25mm fans; main trade-off: 15mm depth moves less air than a standard 25mm 120mm fan.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Only 15mm thick - fits low-profile coolers and ITX cases that reject 25mm fans
- ✓ Peaks at 23.9 dB(A) even at the full 1850 RPM
- ✓ Wide 450-1850 RPM PWM range; fully stops at 0% PWM for semi-passive builds
- ✓ 48 anti-vibration pads included: 8 each in red, black, white, blue, yellow, green
- ✓ SSO2 bearing rated over 150,000 hours MTTF
Cons
- ✗ 15mm depth moves less air than a standard 25mm 120mm fan
- ✗ Needs a 4-pin PWM header; 3-pin boards lose automatic speed control
- ✗ All-black finish hides the blades but makes dust buildup harder to spot
- ✗ Swapping the 48 pads by hand adds assembly time to a multi-fan build
Manufacturer description
The Noctua NF-A12x15 chromax.black.swap solves a specific problem: you need real airflow in a chassis that won't take a standard 25mm fan. At 120x120x15mm, this slim A-series fan drops into low-profile CPU coolers, HTPC enclosures, and ITX builds where clearance runs out fast. Noctua's Flow Acceleration Channels and Advanced Acoustic Optimisation frame keep it to a maximum 23.9 dB(A) at full tilt, and the 4-pin PWM control gives you a 450-1850 RPM range that stops entirely at 0% PWM for semi-passive systems. The chromax.black.swap edition trades Noctua's usual beige-and-brown for an…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Noctua Chromax Black Swap 120mm 1850RPM PWM Computer Case Fan… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the cooling & fans category. Noctua's cooling & fans lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for cooling & fans of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this fan fit my low-profile CPU cooler?
It measures 120x120x15mm, which is 10mm slimmer than a standard 120mm fan. Measure your cooler's fan clearance - if you have at least 15mm, it fits. Noctua designed it specifically for low-profile coolers, HTPCs, and ITX builds.
How loud is it at full speed?
Noctua rates it at a maximum 23.9 dB(A) at its top speed of 1850 RPM. The Flow Acceleration Channels and Advanced Acoustic Optimisation frame are what keep the noise down at that RPM.
What are the colored pads for?
They are self-adhesive anti-vibration pads that mount at the fan's corners. The chromax.black.swap edition ships 8 pads each in red, black, white, blue, yellow and green, so you can color-match the fan to your build's scheme.
Does it work with a 3-pin fan header?
This is the 4-pin PWM version, built for automatic speed control via 4-pin PWM headers. On a 3-pin header you lose PWM control, including the 0% PWM stop. Check your motherboard's header type before buying.
Is it worth the price over a cheaper 120mm fan?
You are paying for the 15mm slim form factor, the SSO2 bearing rated above 150,000 hours MTTF, and the 23.9 dB(A) ceiling - not raw airflow, which a thicker 25mm fan will beat.
Key Features
- Premium quiet slim fan, 120x120x15mm, 12V, 4-pin PWM, max. 1850 RPM, max. 23.9 dB(A), >150,000 h MTTF
- Award-winning 120x15mm A-series fan with Flow Acceleration Channels and Advanced Acoustic Optimisation frame for superior quiet cooling performance
- 120x15mm slim design ideal for low-profile CPU coolers, HTPCs, ITX builds, space-restricted applications etc.
- 4-pin PWM version for automatic speed control via 4-pin PWM fan headers, broad 450-1850rpm speed range, stops at 0% PWM for semi-passive systems
- chromax.black.swap edition with all-black design and self-adhesive red, black, white, blue, yellow and green anti-vibration pads for colour-customising (8 pads of each colour)
Full Specifications
| Brand | Noctua |
|---|---|
| Model | NF-A12x15 PWM CH.BK.S |
| Voltage | 12 volts |
| Material | Fibre-glass reinforced PBT |
| Dimensions | 120x120x15mm |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Noise Level | 23.9 db |
| Part Number | NF-A12x15 PWM chromax.black.swap |
| Material Type | Fibre-glass reinforced PBT |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Vibration/Rumble | Yes |
| Air Flow Capacity | 94.2 cubic meter per hour |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1850 rpm |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 4.72"L x 4.72"W x 0.59"H |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 09010018100464 |
Ready to buy?
Noctua Chromax Black Swap 120mm 1850RPM PWM Computer Case Fan w/Anti-Vibration Pads is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
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