Visual inspection
The NF-A12x25 PWM chromax.black is just like the original NF-A12x25 PWM, great for radiator, heatsink and case usage. Mainly thanks to the shape of the impellers and the new Sterrox material that will prevent impeller creep. However, this new chromax.black edition has one advantage over the regular fan, it’s all black color and swappable rubber pads on the corners of the frame.
The fan has the following dimensions: 120 x 120 x 25 mm.
The fan uses nine impellers which are made from the new material Noctua calls Sterrox. This is a liquid-crystal polymer compound and is used on the impellers to prevent impeller creep and thus allow for a smaller gap on the inner part of the frame.
The gap between the impellers and the inner part of the fan frame is just 0.5mm. This means less airflow and static pressure leakage, and thus, more performance delivered for the same speed and noise output.
The shape of the impeller has as its main purpose the increase in static pressure generated by the fan. Some features of these impellers are the Flow Acceleration Channels. What these do is simple, they reduce the noise of the airflow when it hits the impeller surface.
The NF-A12x25 PWM chromax.black has included no less than six different rubber pads packs, in different colors. Black, blue, green, red, white and yellow.
These are used to dampen the vibrations generate by the spinning of the motor and impellers of the fan.
The fan uses Noctua’s advanced SSO2 (self-stabilizing oil-pressure) bearing system. This is a bearing system that is known for being durable and quiet.
The inner part of the frame has small notches carved into it, Noctua calls them Inner Surface Microstructures. Their main purpose is to reduce the noise done by the tip of the impellers, more so given the small gap of the impellers.
The back of the fan is simple in design, with only four straight beams holding the bearing in place.
The label that covers the back of the bearing has the full model name of the fan alongside the Noctua logo and power requirements.
The NF-A12x25 PWM chromax.black uses a regular 4-Pin connector for power. And it is fully PWM compatible which means that you can control its speed either with a fan hub or with your motherboard.
The wires of the fan are short, and this is done for a purpose. This cable design allows you to change the cables for either longer or shorter, depending on your needs.
