I'm considering installing a couple of Noctua NF-A12x25 fans on my Phantom Spirit EVO cooler. While I've heard great things about their sound quality, most talk about using them as case fans. I know there are cheaper options from Arctic that perform similarly, but cost isn't a concern for me—I want the best. The fans that come with my cooler are decent performance-wise, but they make an annoying sound when they speed up and down between 1000-1400 RPM. It's not overwhelmingly loud, but it cuts through the silence of my otherwise quiet setup, and I can confirm it's the fans causing it. I want to eliminate that noise without sacrificing thermal performance. I'm aware of the G2 version, but I need them in black, and those aren't available yet for the A12s. So, does anyone have experience using Noctua NF-A12x25 fans with air coolers, and how do they perform?
4 Answers
If you're after top-notch performance and don't mind the price, definitely consider switching to an AIO cooler instead. Something like a Galahad II 360mm for the best cooling or a Liquid Freezer for a good blend of low noise and performance could be an excellent choice. But if you want to stick with the Phantom Spirit, as long as the fans fit, the Noctua ones should work great. Keep in mind though, fan performance testing is scarce, so you’ll have to rely on their airflow and noise specs.
There are plenty of great pressure fans out there—Gentle Typhoons, be quiet! SW4/Pro, or Arctic P12 Pro/Max. While Noctuas perform well and are relatively quiet, they’re not immune to noise when pushed to higher RPMs. If you need something really quiet, Be Quiet fans might be your best bet; otherwise, the Thermalright TL-B12 is a solid alternative too.
I'm checking out all these suggestions. Most run higher RPM than the A12x25 which typically means more noise, but I’m looking to minimize it. The noise I'm dealing with is this annoying high-pitched tone that happens solely when RPMs change at mid-speeds, not typical fan noise. It's frustrating because it happens during gaming, and I doubt I've got two faulty fans.
You might want to try adjusting the fan profiles in your BIOS to see if you can eliminate that annoying noise. It’s a free solution worth exploring!
I’ve already tried that. The noise occurs specifically when the fans speed up and slow down in that mid-range. It doesn't occur at constant speeds, and setting a fixed speed isn't really an option.
Absolutely, the Noctua NF-A12x25 fans are among the best out there, especially if you're sensitive to fan noise. They come standard with some of Noctua's coolers, like the NH-U12A, which means they're built for performance and quiet operation. While people have different opinions on noise, many find Noctuas to be quite pleasant. If the noise is really bothering you, they might just be worth trying out!
I actually find them super pleasant too, and I buy them for that reason alone!
The best fans are what I'm after. I'm not looking to replace the entire cooler, especially after a pump failure ruined a past liquid setup for me. I'm happy with how my 9800X3D performs thermally; it's solid.