Noctua NF-A14x25 Chromax.black 140mm Fan Review

It is difficult to grasp how anyone could have a complaint about one of the most influential manufactures of silent high-performance fans in the world but, it happens.  I have been reviewing Noctua cooling products since their inception in 2005 and have watched as they transform really good products into better versions time and time again.

In this review we will be looking at a new product from a line created to address that singular complaint that users have with Noctua fans, the color.  The interesting thing about color is that trends develop based on them.  Early PCs were beige, trees are green and computer case fans are always black.  When companies start to experiment with color it helps to make them stand out which is extremely important in the computer industry.  For Noctua, the Tan/Brown color is immediately identifiable and has become a status symbol for most.

In 2025 Noctua introduced their next generation progressive bend fan design, G2.  This design introduced with the 140mm fan first and when speaking with Noctua I was told that every product they build is unique and with the popularity of 140mm fans, that would be the first to release.  While the design for the 140mm G2 is virtually identical to the 120mm G2 there was almost a year between the two releases to ensure that this fan was thoroughly tested with every manufacturing problem resolved to the highest level. 

This same dedication is extended across the various product lines including the Chromax however, this product release feels different.  In the past the Chromax designs felt like an afterthought whereas this new product release is jumping in with both feet to bring the superior technology of the standard product forward in every way.

In terms of technology there are several key features that should be explained and most are found in the following pictures.  Along the outer edge of the fan you will see a stepped inlet.  This is intended to facilitate a transition between laminar and turbulent flow and is designed to reduce intake noise.  The gap between the fan tip and inside frame array is only 0.7mm and works to reduce backpressure leaks because a fan loses efficiency if the air starts moving in the wrong direction.  Along the inner surface of the fan you will see some impressions, these microstructures create a layer to reduce blade noise and improve airflow and pressure efficiency.

You can find a full list of features specific to the G2 line of Noctua fans on their website.

The final item to mention is the unique material used to create the fan structure.  When ABS is cast the surface finish is often even across the entire part however with Sterrox liquid-crystal polymer compound used here you can see the individual fibers in the material.  This compound has extreme tensile strength and offers very low thermal expansion making it a great material for items that require extreme precision under high stress.  The LCP material is one of the main reasons for why G2 fans preform as well as they do and why they tend to cost a little more.

• Size: 140x140x25 mm
• Bearing: SSO2
• Blade geometry: Progressive-Bend Impeller
• Frame technology: AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimization)
• Material: Sterrox® LCP GF30
• Rotational speed (+/- 10%): 1500 RPM
• Rotational speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%): 1250 RPM
• Airflow: 155.6 m³/h
• Airflow with L.N.A.: 127.1 m³/h
• Acoustical noise: 24.8 dB(A)
• Acoustical noise with L.N.A.: 19.7 dB(A)
• Static pressure: 2.56 mm H2O
• Static pressure with L.N.A.: 1.3 mm H2O
• Warranty: 6 years

Included with the NF-A12x25-G2 fan you will get the following

• NA-RC16 Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.)
• NA-YC1 chromax.black 4-pin PWM splitter cable
• NA-EC1 chromax.black 30cm extension cable
• 4x NA-AV2 chromax.black anti-vibration mounts
• NA-AVG2-LR chromax.black anti-vibration gasket
• 4x NA-AVP1-LR chromax.black load-relief anti-vibration pads
• Black fan screws

The LNA is an inline resistor that will limit the fan speed and lower the overall noise ceiling quite a bit.  Combine that with the antivibration mounts and gasket and you will, quite literally, have a near silent fan experience.