Visual inspection
The NF-A20 PWM chromax.black.swap has the same shape and design as the regular NF-A20 PWM. However, this fan gets the chromax.black.swap, which means an all-black color scheme and interchangeable rubber pads.
The design of this fan is good, with a solid construction on both the frame and impellers. The all-black color is done well on all surfaces and that includes the wires and cable.
The fan has the following dimensions: 200 x 200 x 30 mm.
The fan uses nine impellers that feature all the Noctua technical advancements. The main one being the Flow Acceleration Channels. These are the three channels raised above the surface of each impeller. The purpose of these channels is to reduce the noise of the airflow when it hits the impeller surface.
The chromax.black.swap variant of the NF-A20 PWM comes with no less than six different rubber pads packs, in different colors. Included, we have black, blue, green, red, white and yellow.
The NF-A20 PWM uses the well-known Noctua SSO2 (self-stabilizing oil-pressure) bearing system. A system that is known for being quiet, reliabile and better in terms of performance than the usual FDB or Ball Bearing.
The inner part of the fan frame has what Noctua calls Inner Surface Microstructures. The purpose of these things in simple terms is to reduce the noise generated by the tip of the impellers. At the same time, these will improve the airflow and static pressure of the fan by reducing the flow separation.
The corners of the fan frame are shaped in such a way to accept the chromax.black.swap rubber pads. This is nothing new, as all fans in one way or another, have the corners shaped to accommodate rubber pads.
The back of the fan frame uses six beams to hold the bearing and impeller assembly. These beams are solid and slightly curved. The shape of these beams is done so to reduce the noise of the air when it passes through. 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-A20 PWM chromax.black.swap has a small cable that has an NA-EC1 Extension cable 30cm preinstalled on it. In some cases, the connectors for the fan hub are close enough to the front 200mm fans that the large 30cm extension is not needed. Even so, Noctua included the extension in the bundle to cover everyone.
The fan uses a 4-Pin Molex connector for power.
