Noctua NL-LC1: Prices, release date, and a special pump trick for the AIO coolers
Posted by pcgameshardware@reddit | hardware | View on Reddit | 60 comments
Noctua is finally launching its first AIO liquid cooler series, the NL-LC1. There will be three versions: 240, 360 and 420 mm, with launch planned for June 16, 2026.
The coolers are based on Asetek’s Emma V2 platform, but Noctua adds its own fans, Secufirm2+ mounting system and, most interestingly, a pump noise absorber. The NL-PNA1 sits on top of the pump and is supposed to reduce both pump noise and vibrations. Noctua says it is not just about lowering the volume, but also about making the sound profile less annoying.
Prices are listed at 220, 250 and 280 euros. There is also an optional small magnetic fan for 20 euros, meant to push some airflow over VRMs, RAM, M.2 SSDs and other components around the CPU socket.
Ok_Pound_2164@reddit
So it doesn't have better performance as it's just yet another Asetek cooler, but is more silent because they bury the pump under 4 layers of silicone, foam and plastic.
Reactor-Licker@reddit
Any performance gains are likely mostly from the use of Noctua fans stock and maybe the mounting mechanism.
FonchoWL@reddit
Yup seems like that’s the case.
Will be a better performing option to buy an ARCTIC AIO and apply Noctua fans, most probably.
Other than that, it seems like another copy-paste.
battler624@reddit
The arctic pro lineup is as good and in some cases better than the noctua according to cybernetics fan testing.
FonchoWL@reddit
Yes the Arctic fans have great airflow, but sound like mini vacuum cleaners. I built my dads with Arctic P12 and P14 pros, it really sounds like its about to take off sometimes.
FuzzyPuffin@reddit
They’re fine as long as you apply a fan curve. Though it doesn’t kick in til after the BIOS boots. My computer sounds like a jet enjoine when you start it up, which I don’t love.
IzzyDeeee@reddit
Even then there are some fan controllers that have onboard memory and will apply a fan curve even at boot.
Aquacomputer is focused on water cooling, but their Octo and Quadro both can have a fan curve set and saved to onboard memory.
I also built with Arctic and have many P14 Pro and P12 Pro Reverse fans and my biggest/only complaint is how loud they are. In my rig the do not go higher than 30% unless my CPU is about to reach the thermal limit I set in BIOS.
FuzzyPuffin@reddit
Nice! Didn’t know fan controllers with onboard memory was a thing.
pythonic_dude@reddit
Everyone and their mom either copied gen1 noctua or "cheated" with a 30mm fat fan, or made something new and better. Gen2 is still best on rads, as long as you stay in "inaudible" range, only after they start falling off a cliff. Cybenetics cert does not tell a good story of how the fan actually sounds.
yugi19@reddit
Noctua NF-A12x25 are copy of Scythe Gentle Typhoon fans
Silly-Weakness@reddit
Did Scythe make the Gentle Typhoon? I didn’t know that. Regardless, you’re basically right and shouldn’t be downvoted. The NF-A12x25 is definitely an iteration on the Gentle Typhoon design. They look practically identical, though I’m sure the Noctua motor is different.
battler624@reddit
Good, arctic did neither. Not a 30mm fan nor copied an older Noctua design (So yea, the only other possibility is created something new). And yes, cybernetics fan sound test only tells the decibel level of a sound, but it doesn't tell much else about the sound, but you know what it does measure? "mmaq @ 25dba", which is the benchmark for "radiator fans @ near silent operation", and the arctic smokes the Noctua in that scenario.
Arctic P12 Pro does around a 2.6mmaq while the Noctua does a 1.92 at 25DBA, of course at max it's an ever-bigger gap but that doesn't take into account the noise difference.
& you know what? I just looked it up, Noctua isn't even the best at airflow/sound anymore. Thermalright got it beat at the moment, (but with 28mm)
Maybe they are the best at 30dba, i haven't checked for that.
Itwasallyell0w@reddit
I have both, the artic has a high pitch noise when changing rpms, the noctua is dead silent.
FonchoWL@reddit
Agreed 100%. Arctic fans are LOUD.
pythonic_dude@reddit
Cybenetics don't test noise on a radiator, it changes dramatically.
At 31dba, a12g2 has 0.56mmh2o and 35.67cfm. P12pro is 0.41mm and 29.25cfm (testing by hwcooling.net, though iirc they only had older arctics tested, before they moved to seven blade design. or before they added the ring).
And if you look at the airflow without obstructions, c-12c isn't even that good, their H12-X28-R7/9 is all the rage (actually amazing fans, supposedly fuck all pressure but I found them great and competitive with obscene pressure p12pros on a heatsink at least. Except they use LCP so I can be more confident in them not degrading over time).
IANVS@reddit
Even the performance gainwith Noctua fans is questionable. Hardware Canucks have tested a bunch of 360mm AIOs and one of the tests had their fans swapped with Phanteks T30. In most cases, there was at max 1-2 degrees improvement, if any. So, you'd be paying a lot for Noctua only to get like a degree lower temps. Not worth it...
FonchoWL@reddit
Acoustically it is worth it IMO. Arctic fans are loud.
IANVS@reddit
Not if you keep their RPM in check, like with any high speed fan.
Just yesterday I saw a playlist of detailed fan tests on Bilibili. At same 35-37dB range, Arctic P14 Pro had similar RPM (1500-1700 range IIRC) and CFM as Phanteks T30 140 or Silent Wings 4 Pro 140 but it had twice the pressure. That means it can perform very well at half the speed or lower...at those levels it's really not noisy. The only thing to worry about with Arctic is longevity but considering you can typically get like 5 Arctics for the price of one Noctua or Phanteks T30, I don't really care lol.
Hanselltc@reddit
IDK, I own a LF3P and Im not really a fan of its 2 point mounting system. Would've preferred something properly 4 point.
FonchoWL@reddit
Completely fair and valid point. Its a pain in the ass to mount
Purple10tacle@reddit
And you'll probably still have money left over. It's crazy that Arctic doesn't just make the best performing AIOs, but that they are so extremely price competitive.
FonchoWL@reddit
Yeah, Arctic is amazing. Only reason i go Noctua for fans, is Arctic P12 max or pro really sound like vacuum cleaners.
Jeep-Eep@reddit
JFC, at least do something like maybe base it on the alphacool DDC or SOMETHING!
GOODoneDICKHEAD11@reddit
They have the all encompassing patent right?
jammsession@reddit
exactly what I want
SourceScope@reddit
And add noctua fans that are the most silent coolers, when comparing performance to noise
Pickupyoheel@reddit
lol those prices. Arctic get
airjordantr@reddit
Lots of people that are going to buy these Noctua AIO's, probably have Noctua fans already. So it should be a fanless version if they want to increase the sales.
blackbalt89@reddit
So, it's no better than my Arctic with the same Noctua fans?
AnthMosk@reddit
Hahahaah expensive AF. Hard pass
Remote_Action_2956@reddit
No 280mm…280mm aios seem to be going extinct.
Kashinoda@reddit
Noctua threads on here are so tiresome.
There are people who will tear the house down to find the location of whatever the fuck is making that annoying noise that no one else can seemingly hear. That's their entire target demographic, and that demographic will happily pay for the RND involved in reducing some annoying frequency. It's the same group who don't give a shit about the colour of the fans and want their PC to been neither seen nor heard.
Sure there are cheaper products which are quiet and may be more performant, that's been the case for eons so can we stop being shocked?
snollygoster1@reddit
I would love to see acoustic testing of these versus Thermalright and Arctic's options, along with the varying combinations of fans.
Thermalright has their TL-Bxx and TL-Kxx that are high static pressure fans with similar blades to the Gentle Typhoon style Noctua NF-A series of fans, there's also offerings from Phanteks and other manufacturers. I just do not know if Noctua is truly the only ones with good sound profiles.
kittymoo67@reddit
i did not expect a 480 but i welcome it
According_Hyena_3593@reddit
Imagine paying 200 euros for a 240mm asetek aio that performs worse than a 40 euro scythe aircooler
imaginary_num6er@reddit
Why no 280mm AIO? Like it isn't too much to ask when they are also planning a 420mm.
dragenn@reddit
Sometimes l feel 280mm is more viable then 240mm, but that is maybe just me...
LR0989@reddit
280mm rads are very similar to 360mm in performance, but radiators with 3x RGB fans seems to be the style these days
imaginary_num6er@reddit
More like the only style. No explanation why everyone from "Cooler" Master to be Quiet! just dropped 280mm AIOs all at the same time.
Hothacon@reddit
Links? 280s were impossible to find last year
imaginary_num6er@reddit
They dropped support. No new ones exist
Weareallgoo@reddit
I don’t think I’d ever pick a 240mm AIO over my Be Quiet! Dark Rock cooler. The Dark Rock is silent and performs well
Dear-Regret-9476@reddit
Your Dark Rock (I assume its the elite version?) actually performs better than a lot of AIOs
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/be-quiet-dark-rock-elite-cpu-air-cooler/6.html
U-1-mang@reddit
I think the real question is why no chromax fans or better yet, why no noctua colors for the rad and tubes?
imaginary_num6er@reddit
They need to make sure they have future projects and not have everything done at once
coldbreweddude@reddit
Price is a joke and they aren’t bringing anything really novel to the market here. Pump noise not an issue that’s worth an extra $100+ and other brands fans have gotten much better.
mechkbfan@reddit
Often get downvoted whenever bring this up but practically speaking, for 99% of users I bet that Noctua offers no practical sense for the dollar.
Like you can get stuff 1/4 price and it's a couple of degrees hotter and who cares when no where near throttle limit. Even then I've seen under certain circumstances stuff costing less does better. All so dependent on the reviewer & case setup, etc.
Tight_Inflation3153@reddit
Noctua still is the one fan manufacturer I'll trust to not have weird ear piercing frequencies at specific fan speeds. So many times have I been burned by reviews saying "this fan is 1/4th the price but performs the same as a Noctua!" only for the fan to be some kind of ultrasound weapon.
For everything else, I don't see the noctua value either.
Narcissus_the@reddit
Fr considering thermalright & arctic aios exist, and would be cheaper to buy one of those and noctua fans than one of these
FonchoWL@reddit
100% agreed. My last few rigs are Arctic AIO + Noctua chromax Love the thick beefy radiator with the Noctua fans push pull
Performance is unbeaten
jammsession@reddit
https://www.pcgameshardware.de/screenshots/970x546/2026/06/Noctua-NL-LC1-1images.jpg
pashhtk27@reddit
I don't mind Noctua existing and having a niche audience that will pay anything to reduce noise. Like a luxury brand.
But all the normies with normal budgets buying and recommending Noctua makes me feel sad. The 9600x + 9070XT crowd. You could by 3 fans (say from Arctic) for one Noctua one, and now 3 AIOs for one! There is absolutely no reason to pay the Noctua tax unless you've building an absolute top of the line system!
jammsession@reddit
Yes, and I did that. But, there is a very big but! I have Noctua fans that are 8y old and still run fine. The 5 Arctic I have? Well, one was DOA and two started to rattle after a year.
I don't know about you, but I hate to open up my case, unplug, unscrew, throw away, order a new fan, install that one, just becaus I was too cheap to buy something decent.
yes there is, if you are not a broke teenager.
Every_Recording_4807@reddit
How tall is the CPU block?
pythonic_dude@reddit
Can't wait to see people putting them on 7600x and the like and boasting about how quiet their system is (very loudly, gotta outyell the jet noise of 2x92mm gpu cooling). The color of the rad&tubes is a middle finger to the customers honestly, is the chromax version coming with brown'n'biege rad?
Intelligent_Top_328@reddit
Will wait for reviews.
Narcissus_the@reddit
Bro that pricing is insane considering the liquid freezer & thermalright exist.
I thought it’d be a new pump design
sonicice@reddit
“Ultimate Noctua Build” YouTubers gonna have to make new videos
Dizman7@reddit
This is why I will pay extra for Noctua fans, they are very good at making the sound profile the least harsh sounding of any fans I’ve personally used.
Reactor-Licker@reddit
Disappointed in there being seemingly no chromax version or any 1st party performance data.
Hopefully that evaporative cooler they teased is more interesting.