Noctua NF-A4x10 FLX 12V 4500RPM 40x10mm Quiet Cooling Fan
Noctua’s first ever 40mm fan is so features packed there isn’t enough room to mention them all here. Read on to find out more.
Features
- 40 x 10mm quiet PC cooling fan
- Noise level from 12.9 dB(A)
- Feature packed
- Perfect for proprietary cooling
Featuring advanced aerodynamic design measures such as Flow Acceleration Channels and Noctua’s AAO frame, the NF-A4x10 FLX is a highly optimised, premium quality quiet fan in 40x10mm size. Smooth Commutation Drive technology and Noctua’s reference class SSO2 bearings guarantee superb running smoothness and excellent long-term stability. Topped off with modular cabling, a Low-Noise Adaptor and OmniJoin Adaptor Set as well as six years manufacturer’s warranty, the NF-A4x10 is a premium choice for the highest demands.
Flow Acceleration Channels
The NF-A4x10 impeller features suction side Flow Acceleration Channels. By speeding up the airflow at the crucial outer blade regions, this measure reduces suction side flow separation and thus leads to better efficiency and lower vortex noise. More info.
Reduced Motor Hub Size
Thanks to its streamlined, compact motor design, the NF-A4x10’s motor hub is smaller than with conventional 4cm fans. This allows for more blade surface area and thus contributes to the NF-A4x10’s superior airflow and pressure performance.
AAO Frame
Noctua’s AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation) frames feature integrated anti-vibration pads as well as Noctua’s proprietary Stepped Inlet Design and Inner Surface Microstructures, both of which further refine the fans performance/noise efficiency. More info
Stepped Inlet Design
Noctua’s Stepped Inlet Design adds turbulence to the influx in order to facilitate the transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow, which reduces tonal intake noise, improves flow attachment and increases suction capacity, especially in space restricted environments. More info
Inner Surface Microstructures
With the tips of the fan blades ploughing through the boundary layer created by the Inner Surface Microstructures, flow separation from the suction side of the blades is significantly suppressed, which results in reduced blade passing noise and improved airflow and pressure efficiency. More info
Integrated Anti-Vibration Pads
Integrated Anti-Vibration Pads made from extra-soft silicone minimise the transmission of minute vibrations while maintaining full compatibility with all standard mounting systems and fan clips used on heatsinks.
Smooth Commutation Drive 2
The latest version of Noctua’s advanced Smooth Commutation Drive system ensures superb running smoothness by eliminating torque variations and switching noises. This makes the NF-A4x10 remarkably quiet even at very close distance. More info
SSO2 Bearing
The NF-A4x10 features the further optimised second generation of Noctua’s renowned, time-tested SSO bearing. With SSO2, the rear magnet is placed closer to the axis to provide even better stabilisation, precision and durability. More info
Low-Noise Adaptor for full flexibility
The NF-A4x10 FLX (Flexibility) is supplied with a Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.) that reduces the maximum fan speed from 4500 to 3700rpm so that it can be fine-tuned for superior airflow or maximum quietness.
3 to 2-pin Adaptor and Polarity Protection
The NF-A4x10 comes with an adaptor from 3-pin Molex to the 2-pin connectors used on many graphics cards or network and storage devices. An integrated diode provides polarity protection on 2-pin connections.
OmniJoin Adaptor Set
Many devices featuring 40mm fans use proprietary fan headers, so the NF-A4x10 comes with Noctua’s OmniJoin Adaptor Set. Just cut the original fans cable, fix it to the adaptor using the supplied 3M Scotchlok connectors and you can plug the NF-A4x10 to proprietary fan headers! More info
Extensive Cabling Options
The fans short 20cm primary cable minimises cable clutter in typical applications while the supplied 30cm extension provides extended reach when necessary. Both cables are fully sleeved.
Six years manufacturer’s warranty
Noctua fans are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity. Like all Noctua fans, the NF-A4x10 features an MTBF of more than 150,000 hours rating and comes with a full six years manufacturer’s warranty.
| Specifications | NF-A4x10 FLX |
|---|---|
| Size | 40x40x10 mm |
| Screw hole spacings | 32 mm |
| Connector | 3-pin |
| Bearing | SSO2 |
| Blade Geometry | A-Series with Flow Acceleration Channels |
| Frame Technology | AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation) |
| Rotational Speed (+/- 10%) | 4500 RPM |
| Rotational Speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%) | 3700 RPM |
| Airflow | 4.8 CFM |
| Airflow with L.N.A. | 3.9 CFM |
| Acoustical Noise | 17.9 dB(A) |
| Acoustical Noise with L.N.A. | 12.9 dB(A) |
| Static Pressure | 1.78 mm H2O |
| Static Pressure with L.N.A. | 1.21 mm H2O |
| Max. Input Power | 0.6 W |
| Max. Input Current | 0.05 A |
| Voltage | 12 V |
| MTBF | 150,000 h |
| Accessories | Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.), 3:2 Pin Adaptor, OmniJoin Adaptor Set, 30cm Extension Cable, 3 Vibration-Compensators and 4 Fan Screws |
| Warranty | 72 months |
| EAN barcode | 4716123314691 |
| Specifications | NF-A4x10 FLX |
|---|---|
| Size | 40x40x10 mm |
| Screw hole spacings | 32 mm |
| Connector | 3-pin |
| Bearing | SSO2 |
| Blade Geometry | A-Series with Flow Acceleration Channels |
| Frame Technology | AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation) |
| Rotational Speed (+/- 10%) | 4500 RPM |
| Rotational Speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%) | 3700 RPM |
| Airflow | 4.8 CFM |
| Airflow with L.N.A. | 3.9 CFM |
| Acoustical Noise | 17.9 dB(A) |
| Acoustical Noise with L.N.A. | 12.9 dB(A) |
| Static Pressure | 1.78 mm H2O |
| Static Pressure with L.N.A. | 1.21 mm H2O |
| Max. Input Power | 0.6 W |
| Max. Input Current | 0.05 A |
| Voltage | 12 V |
| MTBF | 150,000 h |
| Accessories | Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.), 3:2 Pin Adaptor, OmniJoin Adaptor Set, 30cm Extension Cable, 3 Vibration-Compensators and 4 Fan Screws |
| Warranty | 72 months |
| EAN barcode | 4716123314691 |
Customer Reviews
Noctua NF-A4x10 FLX 12V 4500RPM 40x10mm Quiet Cooling Fan
Absolutely brilliant fan motor, the kit is superb, I used the 2 pin lead as this was a replacement fan. The miniature scotch crimps are superb, no soldering or heat shrink to do. Super, super quiet.
...............
…………so quiet…………
Replaced Netgear fans..
I don’t normally write reviews but felt I had to on this occasion. I replaced the two fans in my Netgear GS728TP with these - it now runs silently! Awesome product - will definitely be buying more.
Amazing
I can’t quite believe how quiet this fan is. The only problem now is that I can now hear the air flowing round the case of my once noisy switch. The kits comes with extension leads and plug adapters that mean you can use it in most situations. The lead that slows the fan down a little is also very useful. I’m now tempted to go through all my other boxes now and replace the fans.
Great fan super build
Well today the fan arrived. I was surprised of the quality and build very well made very silent too, the other great feature was all of the accessories that are very well made no complaints. I needed the fan for my CCTV Dvr unit. just the right thing and the tech specialist was very kind and extremely helpful.
A stunning and subtle piece of engineering
A real performance leader. Built like a watch. Both higher airflow and less noise than the respectable YStech it replaces. More than double the MTBF, works out at over 17 years expected life. Anti-vibration built in plus anti-vibration mountings supplied. Multi connector kit to cover every eventuality. Fixing screws. Everything but everything is included. Well worth the higher price!
If you are a Home Cinema enthusiast as I am, who replaces all built-in fans with quieter equivalents, then Noctua has you covered for all your needs.
Transformed Thecus N2100
I popped one of these in a Thecus N2100 and it’s been transformed. There are various utilities around to try to control the speed of the standard fan to stop it being quite so noisy, but far simpler to fit one of these. Excellent upgrade.
Product Resources
FAQ
How do I measure fan size?
The size of fan you need will generally be determined by the size of the fan fitting position in your PC case. The sizes of all the fans on our website are shown as measured along any one of the fan’s four sides, NOT the distance between the fan’s screw holes! Our most popular fan size is 120mm, followed by 80mm. This isn’t really dictated by customer preference, but more by recent designs of PC cases.
As for the thickness (depth) of the fan, generally 25mm (1 inch) is by far the most common depth, although smaller fans can have shallower depths such as 15mm or even 10mm. All our fans are 25mm thick unless otherwise stated. If you have any questions about which fan you should order, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
If you know the distance between the fan mounting screw holes but don’t know what fan size to order, please see the following table. Note that the mounting hole measurements shown below are taken horizontally or vertically between the holes and not diagonally.
Screw hole spacings and fan sizes
Space Between Screw Holes Fan Size 32mm 40mm 40mm 50mm 50mm 60mm 60mm 70mm 72mm 80mm 83mm 92mm 105mm 120mm I received a small cable (resistor) with my fan; what is it for?
The resistor cable (also called Ultra Low Noise or ULN cable) is designed to allow the fan to run slightly slower for even quieter operation. The benefit in lower running noise is significant. Although the airflow will be reduced slightly, this usually has minimal effect on PC temperature. We would generally recommend using the ULN resistor cable for best results in almost all circumstances.
How can I tell which way the air blows through the fan?
Hold the fan so that the round fan sticker is facing you. You are looking at the rear of the fan. When you plug the fan in, the air will be blowing towards you. If you want a fan to act as an air intake, then the fan sticker will be facing the inside of the case. Some fans also have two small arrows moulded into their plastic housing - one arrow shows the direction of airflow, and the other (at 90°) shows the direction of blade rotation.
Is it possible to use a 4-pin PWM fan or CPU cooler with a motherboard which has only 3-pin fan headers on it?
Electrically, there is no problem doing this - the fourth pin on the fan cable is used purely for PWM control and is not needed in order for the fan to run. So you can plug the 4-pin fan connector onto the 3-pin motherboard fan header, leaving the fourth pin not connected to anything. The fan will potentially run at full speed, so if you would like to reduce the speed of the fan you will need to adjust the fan speed setting in your BIOS or use fan control software such as SpeedFan in Windows.
The only other problem to consider is that occasionally, components immediately adjacent to the motherboard fan header can get in the way of the larger 4-pin fan connector, physically preventing connection. This problem also occurs if you try to use an in-line fan speed controller such as the one made by Gelid.
Another avenue to explore is the possibility of using a bay-mounted fan controller. Several models are available now which provide 4-pin fan headers, so this is an easy way to use 4-pin PWM fans in a PC system which has only 3-pin fan headers on its motherboards. When using this method, you may find it necessary to disable any fan warning settings in your motherboard BIOS, since the motherboard may incorrectly believe that its CPU fan has failed when the fan is connected to a fan controller rather than directly to the motherboard itself.
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