Noctua NF-S12A PWM
Expert rating8 / 10
- Fan Size:
- 120mm
- Airflow:
- 44.9 CFM
- Static Pressure:
- 1.06 mmH2O
- Noise Level:
- 17.8 dBA
Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Manufacturer: Noctua Last updated: 2026-09-12
Where to buy
- AmazonGo to store
- NeweggGo to store
Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM) Review
If you're after the quietest 120mm case fan Noctua makes that still moves real air, the NF-S12A PWM is the one people usually mean when they ask about a 'silent Noctua fan'.
It trades the A12x25's raw pressure for a wider, slower-spinning blade that stays under 18 dBA at full tilt, so we'd put it in front of a radiator-free case build where hearing the fan at all is the failure state.
Where It Fits
The S12A PWM is Noctua's general-purpose case and CPU-cooler fan, not their static-pressure specialist. It's built for open airflow paths through mesh fronts and vented tops, not for pushing through a dense radiator.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM already in this catalog, the S12A is quieter at the same RPM but gives up nearly half the static pressure, so it's the better pick for a mesh-front airflow case while the A12x25 stays the pick for anything with a filter or radiator in the way. Compared to the Arctic P12 PWM PST, the S12A costs roughly four times as much per fan and doesn't clearly out-cool it, so the Arctic remains the value pick if a full case's worth of fans is on the shopping list.
Specifications
Identity and packaging
| Brand | Noctua |
|---|---|
| Model | NF-S12A PWM |
| Fan Thickness | 25 mm |
| Pack Quantity | 1 |
Design
| Fan Size | 120 mm |
|---|---|
| Bearing Type | Fluid Dynamic |
| Lighting | None |
Performance
| Static Pressure | 1.19 mmH2O |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 1200 RPM |
| Noise Level | 17.8 dBA |
| PWM Control | Yes |
Performance at maximum speed
| Airflow | 63.27 CFM |
|---|
Performance at quiet speed
| Quiet Speed | 900 RPM |
|---|---|
| Airflow At Quiet Speed | 48.97 CFM |
| Noise Level At Quiet Speed | 10.7 dBA |
| Zero RPM Capable | Yes |
Motor and bearing
| Bearing Marketing Name | SSO2 |
|---|---|
| Rated Life | 150000 hours |
| Blade Material | PBT |
Airflow direction and frame
| Mounting Hole Spacing | 105 mm |
|---|---|
| Anti Vibration Pads | Yes |
Power and control
| Max Power Draw | 1.44 W |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 7 V |
Connection and daisy chain
| Connector Type | 4-Pin PWM |
|---|---|
| Lighting Connector | None |
Lighting
| RGB Lighting | No |
|---|---|
| Lighting Type | None |
Physical and finish
| Colorway | Brown And Beige |
|---|---|
| Cable Length | 200 mm |
| Weight | 140 g |
Market
| Warranty | 6 years |
|---|---|
| Positioning | Premium |
| Source URL | https://www.noctua.at/en/products/nf-s12a-pwm/specifications |
|---|
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating8 / 10
An excellent quiet airflow fan for open cases, but expensive per-fan for how little static pressure it offers.
Best for
- Mesh-front cases with unobstructed airflow paths
- Builds where near-silent operation matters more than raw CFM
- Noctua owners standardizing on one fan family across the case
Not for
- Radiator or filtered-intake use where pressure matters more
- Budget multi-fan builds needing 6+ fans
- RGB-focused builds
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM)?
The Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM) is a case fan from Noctua. Key specs: Fan Size 120, Bearing Type SSO, Lighting No RGB, Airflow 44.9, Static Pressure 1.06.
Will the Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM) work with my current setup?
The Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM) lists Fan Size is 120. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM) best suited to?
It suits mesh-front cases with unobstructed airflow paths, builds where near-silent operation matters more than raw cfm, noctua owners standardizing on one fan family across the case.
What are the drawbacks of the Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM)?
It is a poor fit for radiator or filtered-intake use where pressure matters more, budget multi-fan builds needing 6+ fans, rgb-focused builds.
Compare and read more
- Corsair QX120 RGB (120mm/65.8 CFM/3.29 mmH2O Static Pressure/2500 RPM Max/34 dBA/Magnetic Dome Bearing/RGB/iCUE LINK) vs Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- Cooler Master MobiusLink ARGB Fan (120mm/62.0 CFM/2.4 mmH2O Static Pressure/2000 RPM Max/30.0 dBA/Loop Dynamic Bearing/ARGB/PWM) vs Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- Corsair iCUE Link RX120 (120mm/61.5 CFM/1.83 mmH2O Static Pressure/1700 RPM Max/26 dBA/Rifle Bearing/No RGB/PWM) vs Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- EK-Loop Fan FPT 120 (120mm/74.55 CFM/3.36 mmH2O Static Pressure/2200 RPM Max/32 dBA/Fluid Dynamic Bearing/D-RGB/PWM) vs Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM)
- EK-Vardar EVO 120ER (120mm/91.0 CFM/5.31 mmH2O Static Pressure/3200 RPM Max/36.6 dBA/Fluid Dynamic Bearing/No RGB/PWM) vs Noctua NF-S12A PWM (120mm/44.9 CFM/1.06 mmH2O Static Pressure/1200 RPM Max/17.8 dBA/SSO Bearing/No RGB/PWM)