Introduction
The Noctua NF-A14 PWM chromax.Black.swap is a high-end 140 mm PC cooling fan designed to combine excellent cooling performance with ultra-quiet operation and customizable styling. It belongs to Noctua’s respected chromax.Black.swap series, which features deep-black aesthetics and interchangeable anti-vibration pads for color personalization. Enthusiasts, silent PC builders, and system modders often choose Noctua fans for their durability and refined engineering.
Product Overview
This fan integrates the classic NF-A14 aerodynamic design with a stealthy all-black colorway and swappable anti-vibration corners in multiple colors — allowing it to blend seamlessly into a wide range of build themes.
Key Specifications
- Form Factor: 140 × 140 × 25 mm (square frame)
- Connector: 4-pin PWM for automatic motherboard control
- Speed Range: 0 – 1500 RPM (PWM controlled)
- Max Airflow: 140.2 m³/h (~82.5 CFM)
- Max Static Pressure: 2.08 mm H₂O
- Max Noise: 24.6 dB(A)
- Bearing Type: SSO2 (Self-Stabilising Oil-pressure)
- Warranty: 6 years factory warranty
Target Audience
This fan is ideal for:
✔ PC builders who want quiet yet effective cooling for case airflow or radiator duties.
✔ Users building silent and aesthetic systems without RGB lighting.
✔ Enthusiasts who value long product life and reliable engineering.
How It Works
PWM Automatic Speed Control
The fan connects via a 4-pin PWM header, enabling automatic speed adjustment based on system temperature. At lower load or idle, it can slow down or stop entirely at 0 % PWM, creating nearly silent operation.
Aerodynamic Design
Noctua uses its Advanced Acoustic Optimisation (AAO) frame and Flow Acceleration Channels on the blades to increase airflow efficiency while minimizing noise — especially important at mid-range RPM.
Premium Bearing
The SSO2 bearing improves long-term stability and significantly reduces mechanical noise — contributing to the long mean time to failure (MTTF) rating above 150 000 hours.
Ingredients & Benefits
Aerodynamic Blade & Frame Tech
- Flow Acceleration Channels help maintain smooth airflow and reduce vortex noise.
- AAO frame with stepped inlet design refines air passage and lowers tonal noise.
Customizable Aesthetics
- Includes multiple colored anti-vibration pads (black, red, blue, green, white, yellow) to suit your build theme.
- Matte black finish enhances stealthy system looks.
Quality & Longevity
- SSO2 bearing and solid construction build ensure years of stable, quiet operation.
- 6-year manufacturer warranty brings strong long-term support.
Pros & Cons
✔ Pros
✔ Excellent balance of quiet operation and performance for a 140 mm fan.
✔ Long life expectancy with premium bearing design.
✔ Stylish, customizable black aesthetics without RGB.
✔ Fully PWM-controlled for dynamic speed adjustment.
✘ Cons
✘ Premium price compared to budget fans — exact current price cannot be confirmed here.
✘ Not the very highest static pressure available (some specialized radiator fans exceed ~2.1 mm H₂O).
✘ Performance and noise may be modest compared to newest high-end models (e.g., NF-A14x25 series). I cannot confirm direct comparison benchmarks here.
Performance & Use Cases
Case Cooling
With robust airflow and low noise, the NF-A14 PWM chromax.Black.swap excels as front, top, or rear case ventilation in both gaming and workstation PCs.
Radiators
Adequate static pressure and optimized blades also make it effective for use on air coolers or liquid cooling radiators — though it’s not the absolute highest static pressure fan available.
Silent Builds
Works especially well in silent PC configurations thanks to PWM control and low noise levels even at higher speeds.
Final Verdict
The Noctua NF-A14 PWM chromax.Black.swap is a premium, quiet, and customizable 140 mm cooling fan that offers excellent airflow, solid static pressure, and reliable long-term operation. Its advanced aerodynamic features, quality bearing, and customizable anti-vibration pads make it a top choice for builders who prioritize quiet performance and aesthetics without RGB lighting.