Noctua Unveils Noise-Canceling Fan, and More Innovations at Computex

[btarunr]

Noctua's booth at last week's Computex Taipei not only hosted world's first public demonstration of a PC fan with integrated Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) but also gave a stage to upcoming Noctua products such as the new A-series fans, third generation NF-S12 fan and 37mm low profile CPU coolers. In addition to these upcoming products, Noctua also gave an exclusive insight on some of its current development projects for its D-, U-, C- and L-series heatsinks.

Firstly, Noctua has displayed its completely new A-series fans that feature a novel aerodynamic design measure called Flow Acceleration Channels to reduce boundary layer separation as well as Noctua's AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation) frames. The new A-series fans are scheduled for launch in September/October and will come in square 140mm, round 140mm, slim 92mm plus 60 and 40mm sizes.



In the 120mm line-up, the pressure-oriented NF-F12 will be complemented by a new, third evolution of the airflow-oriented NF-S12 series for case cooling. Due its Anti-Stall Knobs and the new AAO frame, the third generation S12 provides up to 8% better airflow to noise ratio and an improved performance curve compared to its renowned predecessor NF-S12B. Like the new A-series fan, the next generation NF-S12 is scheduled for release in September/October.

In addition to its upcoming fans, Noctua showed new D-series, U-series, C-series and L-series CPU cooler prototypes as well as its upcoming new low profile heatsinks for Intel and AMD. Using the new slim 92mm A-series fan, the low profile coolers stand only 37mm tall in order to fit small mini-ITX cases and HTPC enclosures.



The two D-type dual tower prototypes both pursue the goal of further improving the award winning quiet cooling performance of Noctua's NH-D14. While one uses two second-layer heatpipes to remove more heat from the base at high heatloads, the other employs 7mm heatpipes and a transverse heatpipe layout for more even heat distribution throughout the cooling fins.



The 140mm, 120mm and 92mm U-type single tower coolers share the idea of combining further improved performance with better RAM compatibility. Measuring only 52mm thick, the 140mm model will ensure full access to the RAM slots on both sides of the LGA2012 socket. The two smaller prototypes are 45mm slim and guarantee 100% RAM compatibility on all current sockets. Both the D- and U-type prototypes are currently scheduled for Q4 2012.

The C- and L-series prototypes shown at Computex represent development projects for updating the existing NH-C14, NH-C12P SE14 and NH-L12 in 2013. In addition to the new heatsink prototypes, Noctua presented a SecuFirm2 mounting solution for Narrow ILM Xeon E5 2600 platforms as well as IP66 compliant dust and waterproof fans for industrial applications.



The highlight at this year's line-up was the first public demonstration of a working prototype of Noctua's NF-F12 fan with integrated RotoSub Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology. The development goal for Noctua's recently announced partnership with RotoSub is to speed up the award-winning NF-F12 120mm fan from 1500 to 2500rpm and to achieve a broadband sound signature that sounds more agreeable to the human ear as well as a similar overall sound pressure level as the original 1500rpm NF-F12 fan, resulting in 80% more airflow and 120% higher static pressure at the same noise level. The first prototype shown at Computex 2012 represents a first proof of concept that demonstrates how tonal noise components can be reduced using RotoSub ANC. Noctua and RotoSub aim to have first products with this technology ready for the market by Q3/Q4 2013.

[TheMailMan78]

Gotta love Noctua!

-----Waits for everyone to chime and and say how over priced Noctua's are. Not because they are but because they can't afford them.

[Velvet Wafer]

Sweet Stuff! Prices will enormous tho, i think!

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by TheMailMan78

Gotta love Noctua!

-----Waits for everyone to chime and and say how over priced Noctua's are. Not because they are but because they can't afford them.

They are actually somewhat a bit more expensive for what you get. You pay for the good service and unique colours I guess.

[WhiteLotus]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

unique colours.

Brown on brown?

I did have a Noctua fan/heatsink once, was very nice. Got rid of it for some monies though.

[Hilux SSRG]

That video was nice!

Has anyone replaced their stock fans in a Cooler Master HAF 932 case with Noctua? or using Cooler Master replacments is the way to go?

I think one of my front panel fans is going.

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by Hilux SSRG

That video was nice!

Has anyone replaced their stock fans in a Cooler Master HAF 932 case with Noctua? or using Cooler Master replacments is the way to go?

I think one of my front panel fans is going.

I did on my 922. No regrets.

[Random Murderer]

it'll be interesting to see if this noise-cancelling tech will affect airflow and/or static pressure.

[sneekypeet]

Originally Posted by Random Murderer

it'll be interesting to see if this noise-cancelling tech will affect airflow and/or static pressure.

the paragraph above the video states that the plan was to speed up existing fans using the ANC to keep noise levels the same as before. Says it allows these fans to deliver 80% more air flow and 120% more static pressure with the same sound levels as they had without ANC.

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Originally Posted by Hilux SSRG

That video was nice!

Has anyone replaced their stock fans in a Cooler Master HAF 932 case with Noctua? or using Cooler Master replacments is the way to go?

I think one of my front panel fans is going.

I wouldn't. Ignoring the sickly blood snot paint scheme their noise to CFM ratio is mediocre in practice. Their one strength is with their coolers which is what they're optimized for. I cringe every time I see them used as case fans. Much better options out there.

My current rules are avoid ball bearings as I now notice bearing noise on all of them, and avoid cheap sleeve bearing fans as I've had too many of them leak/die.

[phanbuey]

so wait... is the 120mm noise canceling or not?

[No_Asylum]

Hmmm lets see..

Spend $75-$100+ on a hideously ugly fan with fairly decent performance ..
Spend $10-$20 on any other fan on the market with equal or better performance ..

Not even remotely worth the money, and I can afford to buy as many as I wish.

[Hilux SSRG]

Originally Posted by LAN_deRf_HA

I wouldn't. Ignoring the sickly blood snot paint scheme their noise to CFM ratio is mediocre in practice. Their one strength is with their coolers which is what they're optimized for. I cringe every time I see them used as case fans. Much better options out there.

My current rules are avoid ball bearings as I now notice bearing noise on all of them, and avoid cheap sleeve bearing fans as I've had too many of them leak/die.

So what brands do you recommend? I'm sure me checking newegg reviews will suffice but forum responses are appreciative!

[Random Murderer]

Originally Posted by sneekypeet

the paragraph above the video states that the plan was to speed up existing fans using the ANC to keep noise levels the same as before. Says it allows these fans to deliver 80% more air flow and 120% more static pressure with the same sound levels as they had without ANC.

It also says it's a proof of concept, and all we can see is the sound level and a button being pressed.
Judging from the noise level measurements in the background, the air movement is the same, it just cuts out some tonality towards the left of the graph.
The sound level also drops in the video, which directly contradicts "80% more airflow and 120% higher static pressure at the same noise level."
I'm not challenging what's said in the news post or what you've said, merely pointing out that that is not necessarily what they'll be selling and I'm curious about the final product.

[sneekypeet]

I agree. I am not sure if the plan is to be dead silent at normal 120mm Noctua levels, or if they plan to use it to allow them to "juice" the fans a bit and still have near silent usage.

@ No_Asylum I have yet to see a $75 Noctua fan, $25-30 sure, but I think you are stretching it a bit.

[GC_PaNzerFIN]

Noctua's are not the best in terms of cooling or price. But they do excel in low rpm use. I simply can't get the Gentle Typhoons to run as quiet as Noctuas do at <850rpm. And the cooling performance is still ok although not as good as GT's.

[catnipkiller]

Dont care how good the fan is if it looks like shit.

[dickobrazzz]

hmmm..

[GC_PaNzerFIN]

Originally Posted by dickobrazzz

http://f11.ifotki.info/thumb/23cf133...8122363505.jpg http://f11.ifotki.info/thumb/4562f8d...8122363506.jpg
hmmm..

If you look closely they really don't resemble each other that much other than being fans.

[dickobrazzz]

Originally Posted by GC_PaNzerFIN

If you look closely they really don't resemble each other that much other than being fans.

Unfortunately i haven`t got another pictures of ty140&150, but they are very similar

[sneekypeet]

Originally Posted by dickobrazzz

Unfortunately i haven`t got another pictures of ty140&150, but they are very similar

it isn't like Noctua didn't offer a version of round 140mm fans already
http://assets.overclock.net.s3.amazo...ach174759.jpeg

[Sp33d Junki3]

I like the 40mm fan. Perfect for the Z77 Saberooth I/O port.
Now they need a 35mm version too for the mobo side.

[dickobrazzz]

Originally Posted by sneekypeet

it isn't like Noctua didn't offer a version of round 140mm fans already
http://assets.overclock.net.s3.amazo...ach174759.jpeg

no no, i`m about new noctua 140

Originally Posted by Sp33d Junki3

I like the 40mm fan. Perfect for the Z77 Saberooth I/O port.
Now they need a 35mm version too for the mobo side.

it would be better, if you will take off this shield from the board

[sneekypeet]

Originally Posted by Random Murderer

It also says it's a proof of concept, and all we can see is the sound level and a button being pressed.
Judging from the noise level measurements in the background, the air movement is the same, it just cuts out some tonality towards the left of the graph.
The sound level also drops in the video, which directly contradicts "80% more airflow and 120% higher static pressure at the same noise level."
I'm not challenging what's said in the news post or what you've said, merely pointing out that that is not necessarily what they'll be selling and I'm curious about the final product.

Hey RM, I got with my rep to see what the final plan was all about straight from the horses mouth if you will. Here is what I was given:

The first step for our ANC project is to take F12 and to speed it up from 1500 to 2500rpm and to stay at the same noise level, giving you a massive increase in airflow (80%) and pressure (120%) at the sound volume most users are comfortable with.

So it seems the plan it to increase performance while not moving the noise levels, win-win to me

[GC_PaNzerFIN]

Originally Posted by dickobrazzz

Unfortunately i haven`t got another pictures of ty140&150, but they are very similar

Different blade design, different mounting, different material on the outer ring, different bearing... What else can you change in a fan, perhaps you expect to see 14cm radial fan huh?