Timeline
History of innovation
Explore our history
Ever since we’ve launched our very first heatsinks in 2005, we’ve shaped the PC cooling market through a history of innovation and continuous refinement. From early landmarks to iconic benchmark products to the latest G2 models: Explore key steps and milestones of Noctua’s legacy in this timeline.
2005
The beginning
Foundation of Noctua, introduction of the first NH-U12 and NH-U9 heatsinks. Sold without fans, they were powerful enough to cool many contemporary processors completely fanless. In early 2006, a 3DMark® CPU score world record was established using fanless NH-U12 coolers.
The first Noctua.at website, captured early 2006.
2006
A new level of service
Noctua offers free-of-charge mounting upgrade kits for AMD’s new AM2 platform. Previously unheard of in the industry, this service offer marks the start of Noctua’s ongoing policy of supporting existing coolers through cost-free upgrades.
2007
Optimising for static pressure
Introduction of the NF-P12 with Vortex-Control Notches, the first PC fan custom-engineered for high impedance applications such as CPU coolers and water-cooling radiators.
Expanding the portfolio
First Noctua thermal paste. The iconic, proven NT-H1 is still widely used with Noctua heatsinks today.
Putting the pieces together
Leveraging the improved efficiency of the new NF-P12 fan and NT-H1 thermal paste, the NH-U12P provides another step up in performance compared to the NH-U12F.
Entering the server and workstation market
First Noctua heatsinks for Intel® Xeon® and AMD® Opteron® based dual socket servers and workstations.
LaCie
French storage solutions specialist LaCie chooses Noctua fans for reducing noise levels with its new 4 and 5 bay products.
2009
Refining our signature fan
The NF-S12B marked the second generation of the award-winning NF-S12 series and brought further optimised performance thanks to the new impeller design with bevelled blade tips.
A new benchmark
Introduction of the NF-P14, Noctua’s first 140mm fan, as well as the legendary NH-D14 CPU cooler, Noctua’s first dual-tower heatsink, which set a new benchmark in performance-to-noise efficiency. Several overclocking world records were established using the NH-D14 in subsequent years.
2011
The next steps in fan technology
Introduction of the NF-F12 120mm fan, featuring the unique Focused Flow™ frame for superior performance on heatsinks and radiators. First fan using the second generation SSO2 bearing as well as the NE-FD1 PWM driver IC with Smooth Commutation Drive technology.
2012
A defining new fan series
Introduction of the first A-series fans. The NF-A14, NF-A9x14, NF-A6x25 and NF-A4x10 pioneered key features that are still used on Noctua’s A-series fans today, e.g. Flow Acceleration Channels or the Advanced Acoustic Optimisation (AAO) frame with Stepped Inlet Design, Inner Surface Microstructures and integrated anti-vibration pads.
2013
The third refinement
Third generation of the airflow-optimised NF-S12 series 120mm fans. The NF-S12A with Anti-Stall Knobs provided another step up in performance compared to the previous NF-S12B.
2014
A reference for a decade
Successor to the legendary NH-D14, the NH-D15 set a new benchmark for premium-grade air coolers once again and remained recognised as the reference in the field for an entire decade.
Industrial heavy-duty fans
First industrialPPC (Protected Performance Cooling) high-speed fans with IP67 ingress protection for industrial heavy-duty applications.
Reissuing our classics
Introduction of the redux product line that addresses price-conscious users by reissuing some of Noctua’s most popular, award-winning models and presenting them in streamlined, more affordable packages.
2015
From 5 and 12 to 24V
First 24V industrialPPC fans for automotive and industrial applications.
The second, completely re-built version of the Noctua.at website, introduced 2015.
2017
A new colourway
Introduction of the first all-black chromax line fans and heatsink covers.
2018
Redefining 120mm fans
World’s first PC fan using Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) and a record-tight tip-clearance of only 0.5mm. The NF-A12x25’s class-leading performance-to-noise efficiency reshaped the common perception of what 120mm fans can do.
2019
Second generation thermal compound
The new NT-H2 thermal compound provides further refined performance in demanding scenarios.
Back in black
Introduction of the first chromax.black CPU coolers, all-black versions of the NH-D15 and NH-U12S.
2021
A new type of heatsink
Designed for passive cooling from the ground up and supporting heat-loads of up to 150W, the NH-P1 brought passive cooling for high-end processors back to the table.
The first Noctua Edition graphics card
The Asus GeForce RTX 3070 Noctua Edition runs significantly quieter than any other card in its class thanks to Noctua NF-A12x25 fans and a customised heatsink.
2024
From desk fans to multi-purpose cooling
Introduction of Noctua HOME, a dedicated product line for home, office and multi-purpose cooling applications.
A legend reborn
The NH-D15 G2 continues the legacy of the award-winning NH-D15 by further improving the renowned quiet cooling performance of its iconic predecessor.
Next-generation 140mm fans
The NF-A14x25 G2 introduces the novel Progressive-Bend impeller design with winglets as well as the new, ultra-low-loss etaPERF™ motor with SupraTorque™ for superior results on heatsinks and radiators.
The first Noctua Edition power supply
The Seasonic PRIME TX-1600 Noctua Edition runs ~8-10dB(A) quieter than the already quiet standard model.
2025
A new benchmark in 120mm fans
Sister model to the ground-breaking NF-A14x25 G2, the NF-A12x25 G2 introduces the Progressive-Bend impeller design with winglets as well as the etaPERF™ motor with SupraTorque™ to the 120mm space, which enables it to provide another step up in performance-to-noise efficiency compared to its award-winning predecessor.
The first triple 120mm fan GPU
The Asus GeForce RTX 5080 Noctua Edition is the first gaming GPU using three 120x25mm fans and sets a new standard for quietness in high-end graphics cards.
Curious what’s next?
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on our new releases. If you want to get a sneak peek on what we have coming up, take a look at our public roadmap.