[Test] Noctua NF-A14 and NF-A15 fans : Specs | CPU | Hashrate | Review | Config

Introduction

Hi all !

To continue the waltz of fan tests and after the Noctua NF-S12A test, today I am offering their big brothers the NF-A14 and NF-A15 which are all 4 fans of 14cms in diameter, the NF-A14 are available in 3 versions, FLX (3pin 1200 rpm), PWM (4pin 1500 rpm) and ULN (3pin 800 rpm). The NF-A15 PWM version has a 4pin connection and runs at 1200 rpm.
Will the big brothers behave as well as the little ones? This is what we will see 🙂

Technologies Used

As for the 120mm version Noctua has equipped the 140mm versions with all the latest technologies of the brand, I will give you a small summary of each of them below.

Flow channels

The ducts on the suction side of the blades reduce the separation of the flows and create an acceleration of the air flow at the most sensitive level: the end of the blades. This results in a lower sound level and more performance.

Stepped Inlet

Steppend Inlet technology transforms the flat wall at the entry of the air flow into a stair-shaped wall, it aims to improve and strengthen the incoming air flow and to distribute the sound signal over a wider frequency band and thus blend more easily into the ambient noise.

Microstructure bypass duct

Noctua has equipped its fans with small grooves and holes in order to reduce the undesirable turbulence generated by the separation of the flows, which makes it possible to reduce noise pollution as well as the overall efficiency of the fans!

Silentblocs Anti-Vibrations

I think the designation speaks for itself, Noctua added an anti-vibration pad in every corner in an effort to reduce noise, an initiative that I can only appreciate given my obsession with silence! These pads are also removable if needed.

Rolling

The SSO 2 bearing system is improved compared to the old versions, the magnet is now closer to the axis of the rotor and is therefore subjected to a greater magnetic force, which gives better stabilization, longevity and precision!

The pad has been changed from older versions and now goes all-brass for added longevity.

Noctua NF-A14 FLX

Le bundle

The NF-A14 FLX bundle consists of:

• 1 Low Noise Adapter (LNA)
• 1 Ultra Low Noise Adapter (ULNA)
• 1 3-pin / 4-pin adapter
• 1 3 pin 30 cm extension
• 4 fixations anti vibrations
• 4 vis
• 1 manuel

Characteristics

The FLX version is given for 1200 revolutions / min maximum and 900 revolutions / min thanks to the ULNA adapter, this leaves you a fairly large margin of maneuver to find the best performance / noise pollution ratio.

Noctua NF-A14 PWM

Le bundle

The NF-A14 PWM bundle consists of:

• 1 Low Noise Adapter (LNA)
• 1 Cable in Y (4-pin)
• 1 4 pin 30 cm extension
• 4 fixations anti vibrations
• 4 vis
• 1 manuel

Characteristics

The PWM has a higher maximum rotation speed than the FLX version without the use of the ULN adapter, it is however supposed to take advantage of the PWM technology and to be managed automatically by the motherboard, so to see in practice!

Noctua NF-A14 ULN

Le bundle

The bundle consists of:

• 1 Low Noise Adapter (LNA)
• 1 3-pin / 4-pin adapter
• 1 3 pin 30 cm extension
• 4 fixations anti vibrations
• 4 vis
• 1 manuel

Characteristics

The NF-A14 ULN has a maximum rotation speed of 800 rpm, which goes down to 650 with the ULN adapter.There is no real room for maneuver at these speeds, if the fan is undervoltage on the air flow may be insufficient to cool a processor, see in the tests!

Noctua NF-A15 PWM

This fan is a bit special in terms of its fairing, the fan is a 14cm but with 12cm compatible fixing holes, that is to say that you can install it in a box / heatsink only accepting 12cm fans (subject to space). Here are the exact dimensions of the fan:

Le bundle

The NF-A15 PWM bundle consists of:

• 1 Low Noise Adapter (LNA)
• 1 Cable in Y (4-pin)
• 1 4 pin 30 cm extension
• 4 fixations anti vibrations
• 4 vis
• 1 manuel

Characteristics

The NF-A15 PWM has the same characteristics as the NF-A14 FLX, so the performance should be very similar, to see during the tests 🙂

The tests

The test platform

The Noctua NF-A14 and NF-A15 have been tested on the Prolimatech Megalahems radiator with the configuration below:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 875K @ 3,2 Ghz
• Ventirad: Prolimatech Megahalems
• Motherboard: Asus P7P55D
• Memory: Kingston HyperX 4 x 2 Go 1600Mhz
• Hard disk: WD Raptor 150 Go
• Graphic card: Sapphire Toxic 5850
• Food: Seasonic X650

The test protocol

The core i7 875K has been slightly overclocked to 3.2Ghz. The temperatures under load are an average of all the cores for 3 tests of 30 minutes on OCCT, the temperatures at rest were taken after 15mins on the desk (still an average of the 4 cores).

The fans will be compared to the Prolimatech Blue Vortex 140mm fans and the Silverstone AP-141.

The temperatures

Temperatures are very good with the Noctua, especially the PWM version, but there are no secrets because it runs at 1500 rpm. As noted previously the NF-A14 FLX and NF-A15 PWM have very similar performances and allow to cool my little Core i7 875K very well!
The NF-A14 ULN does not demerit with its 800 rpm maximum and also allows to cool the processor without hindrance, it has however much less room for maneuver than the others.

Noise pollution

As usual with Noctua the noise pollution is very low, they are all inaudible at 5v and are heard at 12v, except for the ULN which remains almost inaudible even at full blast! The fans all produce a low-pitched sound (like all those of the brand) that is not annoying and the motors are free of extraneous noise, a very good point.

Conclusion

Here we are at the end of this test, what to say about these Noctua NF-A14? We can see that they are from the same family as the NF-S12A and continue in excellence, both in terms of performance and in the bundle, including top-notch after-sales service and a 6-year warranty. You can’t go wrong with one of these fans, my preference going to the NF-A15 PWM which is very versatile, this same fan is present on the NH-U14S cooler (tested here.) Which is one of the best. coolers of the moment.

The +

• It exudes quality!
• Quiet
• Very complete bundle
• SAV Noctua
• Warranty 6ans

The –

A big thank you to Jakob from Noctua who allowed me to do this test.

Where to find the Noctua NF-A14 and NF-A15

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