The brown and beige livery returns to Computex this year in the form of new and experimental products from cooling specialists Noctua. Their booth is always a highlight of the Expo and a must-see for those interested in the most important developments in PC cooling for consumers, and this year they're taking the wraps off a new NH-D15, the advanced NF-A12x25 G2, and even presenting a light-weight mouse with active cooling.
NF-A12x25 G2 Fan
Scheduled for this June is a generational update to a mainstay of Noctua's lineup. The NF-A12x25 G2 improves on the already great performance-to-noise ratio of the original by incorporating innovations seen in last year's NF-A14x25 G2.
- Progressive-Bend impeller, made from Sterrox liquid-crystal polymer, pushes air out towards the highest efficiency blade areas,
- Centrifugal Turbulator hub for better flow attachment and optimised fluid distribution across the impeller,
- Winglets reduce tip vortices and thereby increase efficiency,
- Ultra-tight tip clearance (0.5mm) for superior performance on heatsinks and radiators.
- Centrifugal Turbulator hub for better flow attachment and optimised fluid distribution across the impeller,
- Winglets reduce tip vortices and thereby increase efficiency,
- Ultra-tight tip clearance (0.5mm) for superior performance on heatsinks and radiators.
Their assessment of performance gains versus the prior generation are significant, with an optimised pressure-to-airflow curve that makes it an exceptional jack-of-all-trades design.
One additional attention to detail is that paired NF-A12x25 G2 fans are slightly off-set (+/- 50rpm) in speed to generate a flatter and more consistent combined noise profile compared to synchronised fans. The retail package also includes anti-vibration gaskets for tighter seals on radiators.
A chromax.black version is scheduled for release in Q1 2026.
NF-A14x25(r) G2 chromax.black and NH-D15 G2 chromax.black
The square-frame NF-A14x25 G2 fan, round-frame NF-A14x25r G2 and NH-D15 G2 twin-dower cooler were introduced last year, so chromax-black designs of the trio were almost inevitable for 2025. Each are expected in September of this year and will feature all-black aesthetics, including the SecurFirm2+ mounting system of the NH-D15.
Like it's standard version, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black incorporates medium base convexity and the optional offset mounting system for AMD AM5 platforms.
Continuing Development: Pumpless Two-phase Thermosiphon Cooler
Returning to Computex in 2025 is Noctua's experimental two-phase thermosiphon cooler, an innovation that's still very much in development. It harnesses the heat generated by the CPU to drive steam from an evaporator plate to a condenser through the closed-loop system rather than utilising a mechanical pump to drive water, eliminating pump noise.
This year the team are focussing on minimising or eliminating the effect of temperature hotspots on CPU contact surface. Doing so would help them maintain optimum water temps for heat transfer across the evaporator plate, i.e. temps to reach nucleate boiling, but not past a critical inflection point where less efficient boiling effects occur.
Complicating the matter are that Intel and AMD CPUs have compute cores offset from the centre of their respective socket, and not offset in the same position. The cooler coldplate therefore needs to both account for them while also having a surface structure that allows vapour to escape while encouraging water to take its place, a style that is at odds with the channelled design of conventional water coolers.
There's still no information on whether this research will eventually lead to a viable product but it's fascinating to see the progression of development at the cutting-edge.
AIO Liquid Coolers, in partnership with Asetek
Another prototype on display at Computex was Noctua's upcoming range of AIO CPU coolers. They will incorporate the latest Asetek G8 V2 on-socket pump platform combined with three independent soundproofing layers to isolate and minimise noise generated by the assembly as a whole:
Layer 1: Acoustic foam - Designed to absorb high-frequency sound waves, this soft, porous material acts as the initial barrier.
Layer 2: Dense sound barrier - Serving as the core of our system, this high-density material acts as the mass component. It effectively blocks and reflects sound waves, particularly targeting the lower frequencies.
Layer 3: Acoustic foam - This layer complements the overall soundproofing by absorbing any residual sound that penetrates the first two layers. It also helps in isolating the dense middle barrier from the final substrate.
Floating silicone mount.
Ensuring that vibration does not bypass the central 3-layer damping structure, the floating silicone mount plays a key role in ensuring the overall effectiveness.
Layer 2: Dense sound barrier - Serving as the core of our system, this high-density material acts as the mass component. It effectively blocks and reflects sound waves, particularly targeting the lower frequencies.
Layer 3: Acoustic foam - This layer complements the overall soundproofing by absorbing any residual sound that penetrates the first two layers. It also helps in isolating the dense middle barrier from the final substrate.
Floating silicone mount.
Ensuring that vibration does not bypass the central 3-layer damping structure, the floating silicone mount plays a key role in ensuring the overall effectiveness.
The final solution will have three pump speed profiles, NF-A14x25 G2 and NF-A12x25 G2 fans (with fan speed offsets), and an optional 80mm fan for additional cooling of components around the CPU socket. It's expected to release in Q1 2026 with 420mm, 360mm and 240mm form factors compatible with both Intel and AMD platforms.
Product partnerships: Antec, ASUS, Seasonic and Pulsar
Rounding out the showcase are a quartet of products designed by major components manufacturers but with a dash of Noctua's special sauce.
First up is the Antec Flux Pro Noctua Edition. In past years Antec themselves might have been viewed as a major competitor of Noctua's, but that hasn't stopped the two brands from coming together in this black-and-beige chassis. Designed to complement the very low airflow resistance of the stock Flux Pro, the Noctua Edition is complemented by pre-installed NF-A14x25 G2 and NF-A12x25 G2 fans that substantially lower noise compared to the stock setup.
Furthermore, the system also incorporates the NA-FH1 fan hub for synchronised control of the fans, while maintaining their minor speed offsets.
Expect this case in Q4 2025.
Entering the market in Q3 of 2025 will be the ASUS GeForce RTX 5080 Noctua Edition. Building on the success of previous ASUS partnerships, this version of the RTX 5080 integrates three AF-A12x25 G2 fans (120mm) to improve both cooling and the overall noise profile. Once again the fan speed offset of the set helps to smooth out the noise profile of the cooling solution - as well as minimise vibration amplitude through the card - thus keeping the toasty GPU relatively chill.
To give you some indication of performance, noise-normalised comparisons against the G1 fans when used with the RTX 4080 Super Noctua Edition indicate a GPU temperature reduction of 2.6C: from 52.6C to 50C. Very promising.
Seasonic's PRIME PX HPD Noctua Edition PSUs are a premium range of modular power supplies due for release in Q2 2026. As well as the integrated Noctua NF-A12x25 fan, this ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 compliant design can operate semi-passively while also being also kitted out with Noctua-themed cabling. It's anticipated that they will release in 850W, 1000W and 1200W variants.
Finally, the Pulsar Feinman Noctua Edition is a striking variation of Pulsar's flagship FO1 ultra-lightweight gaming mouse. Not only does it sport the classic Noctua colour-scheme, it also incorporates a 40mm NF-A4x10 5V PWM fan which blows a stream of air through the magnesium alloy exoskeleton. Just the ticket for long and sweaty gaming sessions. This wireless mouse with USB-C charging dock is expected in November 2025.
