Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax.black review: activate dark mode with these high-end fans
Table of Contents
Nearly a year after the first edition of the G2 fans launched, Noctua now has the chromax.black edition of the NF-A12x25 G2s. Plunging the iconically colored PC fans into darkness as they go black instead of those brown colors that Noctua is so known and instantly recognizable for.
Plenty of improvements have been made to the NF-A12x25 fans – all of which have been explained in a 9-minute video. With so many years of work behind it, you’d expect plenty going for it. So, with that in mind, I take a closer look at its design and features, seeing what it brings to your PC. Having already tested the Antec Flux Pro Noctua Edition, I have high expectations.
- Size: 120 x 120 x 25 mm
- Speed range: 0 – 1800 rpm
- Max airflow: 63.15 CFM (107.3 m³/h)
- Max acoustical noise: 22.5 dB(A)
- Max static pressure: 3.14 mm Hâ‚‚O
- Rated voltage: 12V
- Connector: 4-pin
- Warranty: 6 years
After perfecting the NF-A12x25 G2 PWM fans over many years, it took another iteration to get the black colour scheme right. Now coming in one of the most popular colourways among gamers, the Noctua fans are an impressive piece of hardware. With every millimetre having intricate design and careful thought put into it, the quality really shines through.
All of that does come at a rather expensive price point for most builders, but for those looking for a near-silent build without sacrificing performance, they are the perfect option for the job. With plenty of accessories and considerations for a range of use cases, they are incredibly flexible too.
- Very high-quality design and feel
- Plenty of accessories included for many use cases
- Great silent performance
- Very expensive for most users
Pricing
Let’s get straight to the point here: Noctua is a premium brand with equally high quality and pricing to go alongside it. So with years of R&D and getting these fans out, they don’t come cheap at all. Just a single 120mm PWM black fan comes in at $34.95/£30.95, while a dual pack of them costs $64.95/£56.95, meaning you do get savings for buying a multi-pack, but for what seems rather basic fans, they have a lot more going for them than that.
Prime Day may have ended, but that hasn't stopped major retailers slashing prices on popular tech hardware. Below, we've listed some of the best deals available today.
- AMD Ryzenâ„¢ 9 9900X 12-Core - was $499 now $328
- CORSAIR 4000D PC Case - was $124.99 now $75.99
- Hisense 65" Class E6SR - was $549 now $377.99
- Apple 2026 MacBook Air - was $1,999 now $1,799
- Skytech Gaming PC Desktop (9850X3d) - was $4,299 now $3,799
- Apple Magic Mouse - was $79 now $59
- MSI Prestige 16 Flip - was $2,149 now $1,899
- Kotin 9700X Gaming PC - was $2,399 now $2,199
Prices correct as of October 9th, 2026.
As a comparison, some cheaper alternatives include the 5-set of Arctic P12 Pros for $27.49, three Thermalright TL-C12C for $12.90, or the slightly closer three Corsair RSX120s for $44.99. With Noctua’s 3-set costing $99.90, the Lian Li UNI FAN SL-Infinity’s are close in price at $104.90 for a triple pack. So it’s definitely a premium option, and lacking any shine or fanciness, it’s more for the noise and performance.
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black x2 box front, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black boxes, Image by PC Guide
Specs and design
Here is a list of some of the specifications of the fan and the key details of its design and features. Coming in with a low-noise adapter, a PWM splitter, a 300 mm extension cable, 4 anti-vibration mounts, an anti-vibration gasket, and fan screws, it does have a lot of accessories too.
| Size (Form factor) | 120 x 120 x 25 mm (square) (27mm w/ anti-vibration pads) |
| Speed range | 0 – 1800 rpm, 1500 rpm max with low noise adapter |
| Max airflow | 107.3 m³/h (63.15 CFM), 87.2 m³/h (51.32 CFM) with L.N.A |
| Max acoustical noise | 22.5 dB(A), 18.1dB(A) with L.N.A |
| Max static pressure | 3.14 mm Hâ‚‚O, 1.71 mm Hâ‚‚O with L.N.A |
| Rated voltage | 12 V, 13.2 V max |
| Max power | 1.8 W |
| Max current | 0.15A |
| Connector | 4-pin |
| Colour | Black |
| Warranty | 6 years |
| Weight | 195g |
| Frame material | PBT ABS GF30 |
| Impeller material | LCP GF30 |
| Bearing | SSO2 |
| Cable length | 200 mm (500mm with included extension) |
| Ingress protection | IP50 |
| Operating temperature | -10°C to +60°C |
| operating humidity | 15 – 90 % |
| MTTF | > 150,000 hours |
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black x2 box open, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black x2 fans and accessories box, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black x2 accessories, Image by PC Guide
Even from the box, there’s a lot of information to take in. Noctua is very upfront about the features and improvements it’s most proud of, covering the packaging with detailed specifications and highlights. The back, in particular, is filled with graphs showing the fans’ performance across various airflow and impedance scenarios, comparing them directly with the previous-generation model.
Opening up the box, you get to see all the included accessories inside and the fan itself, which has paper between the blades and frame. Immediately, you can feel the higher quality and premium build of the fan. Intricately designed, it’s already fitted with rubber anti-vibration pads in the corners, as even the cable is sleeved in a fiberglass silicone mesh that gives it longevity and a quality feel.
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black front, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black back, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black standing with cable, Image by PC Guide
Around the edges, the fan cuts back on material, keeping the corners thicker to provide extra strength when mounting it with screws. It also features arrows showing the direction of the airflow and the counterclockwise direction of the fan’s rotation. On top of that, it incorporates Noctua’s Advanced Acoustic Optimization, with anti-vibration pads, a stepped inlet design, and inner surface microstructures all working together to refine both performance and noise efficiency.
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black cabled edge, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black top edge, Image by PC Guide
There are even thoughtful design considerations for the fan motor and the torque it delivers. It has the option to stop completely at 0% PWM for optimal silence under low loads, while also providing enough torque to maintain a consistent RPM under back-pressure-heavy scenarios, such as when mounted to a radiator.
As for the blades themselves, they feature a progressive bend, along with flow acceleration channels and winglets. Starting from the centrifugal turbulator hub, airflow is directed towards the outer edges of the fan, where it is most efficient and generates less vortex noise. The winglets further help reduce vortices caused by pressure differentials, while the tight 0.5 mm tip clearance improves efficiency under back pressure. That’s made possible by the liquid crystal polymer material, which offers high tensile strength and very low thermal expansion.
Performance
The highly optimized P/Q curve does make the NF-A12x25 G2s a rather great all-rounder for cooling. Be it as a normal case fan with hardly any impedance or being placed on radiators or heatsinks, it has the power and torque to go against the back pressure.
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black installed on AIO, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black installed side, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black x2 installed and running, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black installed and running closeup, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black installed and running, Image by PC Guide
Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax black installed on AIO closeup, Image by PC Guide
So, to test the impact of the new fans, I mounted them to a ROG Ryujin II 360 AIO. I then replaced the original fans and compared their performance. Those stock fans are actually Noctua models too — the NF-F12 industrialPPC-2000. Without dedicated fan-testing equipment, though, I could only judge the noise by ear while monitoring the CPU thermals after running a 30-minute FurMark 2 stress test.
Running the two tests back-to-back on the same morning meant the conditions were about as close as possible, allowing the Ryzen 7 9800X3D to perform at its full potential. It drew around 150W of power, maintained a clock speed of roughly 5,219MHz, and settled at 95°C. It did reach those temperatures slightly faster with the G2s installed, but that could simply be because the liquid in the AIO was already warmer from the previous run, which had started from cold.
Performance in HWiNFO wasn’t all that different, but the noise certainly was. The original industrialPPC fans were noticeably audible, spinning at high speed and producing a higher-pitched whine. In comparison, the NF-A12x25 G2 fans were virtually inaudible, with the gentle whoosh of hot air being the only sound that really stood out.
- Size: 120 x 120 x 25 mm
- Speed range: 0 – 1800 rpm
- Max airflow: 63.15 CFM (107.3 m³/h)
- Max acoustical noise: 22.5 dB(A)
- Max static pressure: 3.14 mm Hâ‚‚O
- Rated voltage: 12V
- Connector: 4-pin
- Warranty: 6 years
Conclusion
Overall, the Noctua NF-A12x25 G2 chromax.black is an excellent set of fans. With the years Noctua has spent developing them, it’s easy to see just how much work has gone into their design. The minute details and level of refinement needed to create such a quiet-running fan really showcase the company’s dedication to the craft.
That quality does come at a premium, though, where silence certainly isn’t cheap. They sit well above many competing non-RGB fans in terms of price, but if low noise is your priority, they more than justify the investment.
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