Generally, fans in the PC industry tend to be fairly standardized sizes: 120 and 140mm in most cases, with some exceptions in 200mm fans and, lately, some 160mm models are being seen. In air coolers we do have more variety, and it is not unusual to see 92 or 100 mm fans as well, but really 60 mm fans do not usually have a place in a normal PC.
We present the Noctua NF-A6x15
Actually, Noctua already had 60mm fans, the thing is that they were 25mm wide. The new models are considered slim because their width has been reduced to just 15 mm, making them ideal for projects with smaller devices. Currently, they offer them in four different variants, which you can see in this table:
| Model | Dimensions | Maximum RPM | maximum noise | Air flow | static pressure | Connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NF-A6x15 PWM | 60x60x15 | 3500 | 19.8 dBA | 23.4 m³/h | 2.43mm H2O | 4 pin |
| NF-A6x15 FLX | 60x60x15 | 3500 | 19.8 dBA | 23.4 m³/h | 2.43mm H2O | 3 pin |
| NF-A6x15 5V PWM | 60x60x15 | 3500 | 19.8 dBA | 23.4 m³/h | 2.43mm H2O | 4 pin |
| NF-A6x15 5V | 60x60x15 | 3500 | 19.8 dBA | 23.4 m³/h | 2.43mm H2O | 3 pin |
As you can see, the four models have the same dimensions, maximum speed, air flow, static pressure and noise, and they only differ in small details such as the connector, since for example the PWM models have a 4-pin connector and the others 3 pin. And they really only differ in small things but they can be quite important, so let’s look at them.
These fans come in a small rectangular case, and are essentially the same except for the name. As you can see, Noctua has sent us one unit of each except the normal PWM model, of which they have sent us two.
On the back of the packaging they tell us about their technologies, technologies that we already know very well because we have analyzed many of the brand’s fans, and which include everything from the design of the fins to the acceleration channels in the frame.
Inside, we have a presentation as always up to par, and initially we see the fan on its external face enclosed in a cardboard structure.
Under the fan, the accessories are listed in each model. For example, these are the ones that come in the 5V PWM model, and they differ from the others, for example, in that they have an adapter to connect it via USB.
The fan itself has the aesthetics and quality of materials that Noctua has accustomed us to… it is like a normal fan from the brand but in miniature. It has 7 fairly wide and inclined blades, and with the characteristic notches just like the larger ones.
Behind, more of the same, with the usual identifying label that tells us the model and its consumption.
Of course, they are very thin since as slim fans, despite being 60 mm, their width is only 1.5 cm.
All of them have a relatively short cable and are covered by a heat-resistant plastic jacket. In this case, it is the 5V PWM model so it ends in a 4-pin PWM connector, but there is also a label that warns us that we should only use them with a 5V power source.
And what is the difference between the four models? You may be wondering. Well, the two 5V models differ from the others in that they include the USB adapter, in addition to the fact that the PWM model has a 4-pin connector and the normal one has 3. The FLX model includes a MOLEX adapter cable, while the normal model, has the common accessories:
- 4x NA-AV2 anti-vibration mounts
- NA-EC1 30cm extension cable
- NA-YC1 4 Pin PWM Y Shape Cable
- NA-RC14 Noise Reduction Adapter (LNA)
- Screws for fans
How do these 60mm fans work?
We can tell you little that you haven’t already imagined. We are not doing a review per se because we have no way to install them on a PC or test them beyond connecting them to the air and seeing how they go, but what we can tell you is that we have been pleasantly surprised to see that they are quite quiet, even at despite the fact that being so small they spin at 3500 RPM. In addition, they move a lot of air, you can clearly notice the air they push if you put your hand even relatively far away.
The truth is that although these are unconventional fans in the PC ecosystem, we can think of many possible uses for them, such as what we have already mentioned, they can be used to make a 3D case for a Raspberry Pi, they can be used for certain models for a NAS, to cool a 3D printer, for an Arduino case… for whatever you can think of, really. And you know that you are buying quality fans with a 6-year warranty.
If you precisely need 60 mm fans in slim format, you will be happy to know that you already have them available on Amazon.
