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Noctua NF-A15 - User Manual

Noctua NF-A15
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www.noctua.at
Designed in Austria, Noctua’s premium cooling components are internationally renowned for their superb
quietness, exceptional performance and thoroughgoing quality. Having received more than 1000 awards and
recommendations from leading hardware websites and magazines, Noctua’s fans and heatsinks are chosen by
more than a hundred thousand satisfied customers around the globe. sales@noctua.at
|
www.noctua.at
geräuschoptimierte Premium-Komponenten
sound-optimised premium components
USER MANUAL
Dear customer,
Congratulations on choosing the Noctua NF-A15. Our fans are
renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity
and like all Noctua fans, the NF-A15 features an MTBF rating
of more than 150.000 hours that’s backed up with our 6 years
manufacturer’s warranty. Each Noctua fan is double checked for
flawless operation by our quality control team before it leaves the
factory and I’m confident that you will be able to sense some of the
research, attention and care we’ve put into making this product.
Enjoy your NF-A15!
Yours sincerely,
Roland Mossig, Noctua CEO
This document includes some instructions
for installing, running and cleaning your
NF-A15. Should you have any further
questions, our support team (support@
noctua.at) will be glad to assist you at
any time.
Please also have a look at the regularly
updated FAQs on our website:
http://www.noctua.at/faqs
This document is also available in
other languages at the following URL:
http://www.noctua.at/manuals
Scan this code to
display multi-lingual
manuals on your
mobile phone:
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Summary

Installation Guide

Fan Mounting Methods

Details on installing the NF-A15 using heatsink mechanisms, proprietary clips, or supplied screws and silicone mounts.

Anti-Vibration Pad Removal

Instructions on how to easily remove the NF-A15's integrated anti-vibration pads if necessary.

Fan Connection Options

PWM and 3-Pin Header Connection

Information on connecting the 4-pin PWM fan to mainboard headers and operation on 3-pin headers.

Cable Management Solutions

Guidance on using the supplied y-cable for multiple fans and the 30cm extension cable for clutter reduction.

Low-Noise Adaptor Usage

Explanation of the NA-RC9 adaptor for reducing fan speed to 900rpm during PWM control or fixed speed.

Maintenance and Care

Cleaning Procedures

Recommendations for cleaning dust accumulation using a duster, moist tissue, or canned air, avoiding excessive force.

Bearing Protection and Warranty

Details on the sealed SSO2 bearing preventing dust entry and the warranty void if the impeller is removed.

Warranty and Support Information

Product Reliability and Warranty

Information on the 6-year warranty period offered due to high-grade products and strict quality control.

Customer Support Contact

Instructions on how to contact the support team for any problems encountered with the NF-A15.

Overview

The provided document is a user manual for the Noctua NF-A15 PWM fan, a premium cooling component designed in Austria. Noctua is renowned for its sound-optimised premium components, which are internationally recognized for their superb quietness, exceptional performance, and thorough quality. The company has received over 1000 awards and recommendations from leading hardware websites and magazines, and its fans and heatsinks are chosen by hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers globally.

Function Description

The Noctua NF-A15 PWM is a high-quality cooling fan primarily designed for use in computer systems. Its main function is to provide efficient airflow to cool components such as heatsinks, radiators, or the general interior of a computer case, thereby maintaining optimal operating temperatures and preventing overheating. The "PWM" in its name indicates Pulse Width Modulation, a technology that allows for precise and automatic speed control of the fan, adapting its rotation speed based on the system's thermal demands.

Important Technical Specifications

The NF-A15 PWM fan boasts an impressive Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) rating of over 150,000 hours, underscoring its exceptional longevity and reliability. This is further supported by a 6-year manufacturer's warranty, reflecting Noctua's confidence in the product's durability and quality. Each fan undergoes a rigorous double-check for flawless operation by Noctua's quality control team before leaving the factory.

The fan comes with a 4-pin PWM connector, enabling fully automatic speed control when connected to a mainboard's 4-pin PWM fan headers. While primarily designed for 4-pin connections, it can also be connected to 3-pin fan headers. However, when connected to 3-pin headers, the fan will run at full speed unless the mainboard supports voltage-based speed control.

For users with multiple NF-A15 fans, a supplied y-cable (NA-YC1) allows for connecting several fans to a single PWM fan header, ensuring they all run at the same speed. The fan features a short 20cm primary cable to minimize cable clutter in typical applications. For situations requiring a longer reach, a 30cm extension cable (NA-EC1) is also supplied.

To provide users with more control over fan speed and noise levels, the NF-A15 includes a Low-Noise Adaptor (NA-RC9). This adaptor can reduce the fan speed from its maximum of 1200rpm down to 900rpm. It can be used either to set a fixed speed of 900rpm (if speed control is deactivated) or to cap the maximum speed at 900rpm during PWM speed control.

The fan's premium grade SSO2 bearing is fully sealed, a critical design feature to prevent the ingress of fine dust particles. This sealing is crucial for maintaining the fan's long-term performance and reliability.

Usage Features

The NF-A15 PWM offers flexible installation options. When mounting the fan on a heatsink, radiator, or other devices that utilize a custom installation mechanism (such as fan clips or proprietary screws), users should employ that specific mechanism.

For case fan installation, users have two primary options:

  1. Proprietary Clip Systems: If the computer case is equipped with a clip system for fan installation, this method can be used.
  2. Supplied Mounting Screws and Silicone Anti-Vibration Mounts: To use the silicone mounts, users first pull the mounts through the mounting holes of the case. Then, the fan is placed onto the silicone mounts, and the mounts are pulled through the fan's mounting holes to secure it. The NF-A15 also features integrated anti-vibration pads, which can be easily removed if necessary, offering further flexibility during installation.

The short primary cable and optional extension cable provide convenience for cable management, allowing users to minimize clutter or achieve longer reach as needed. The Low-Noise Adaptor (NA-RC9) is a key usage feature for users who prioritize quiet operation, enabling them to reduce fan speed and noise output.

Maintenance Features

Regular cleaning is essential to maintain the NF-A15's maximum performance over time, as fans inside computer cases tend to accumulate dust. Users are advised to clean their fans regularly using a duster, a slightly moist tissue, or canned air. It is important to exercise caution and avoid applying excessive force during cleaning to prevent damage to the fan. The manual specifically warns against using a vacuum cleaner, as it may apply excessive force.

A crucial maintenance-related feature is the fully sealed SSO2 bearing. This design prevents fine dust particles from entering the bearing, which is a common cause of fan failure and reduced lifespan. This sealing significantly reduces the need for internal bearing maintenance.

It is explicitly stated that the fan is not designed to be taken apart by the user. Attempting to remove the impeller from the frame will break the sealing of the bearing, which will result in a loss of warranty. This emphasizes that the fan is a sealed unit, and user intervention beyond external cleaning is not recommended or supported.

Noctua also provides comprehensive support and warranty services. In the event of any problems with the NF-A15, customers are encouraged to contact Noctua's support team for direct, fast, and straightforward RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) service. The manual also directs users to the Noctua website for regularly updated FAQs and multi-lingual manuals, accessible via a provided URL and a QR code for mobile devices.

Noctua NF-A15 Specifications

General IconGeneral
BrandNoctua
ModelNF-A15
CategoryComputer Hardware
LanguageEnglish

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