Noctua is a name that resonates deeply within the PC building community, even if it’s not a mainstream household brand. Renowned for their signature brown-and-beige fans and exceptional air cooling solutions, Noctua has carved out a niche as the go-to for quiet, reliable cooling. Until now, their product lineup has been almost exclusively air coolers—tower-style heatsinks and fans designed to keep CPUs cool while minimizing noise. However, at Computex 2025, Noctua surprised many by unveiling its first-ever all-in-one (AIO) liquid coolers, signaling a major expansion into the liquid cooling market.
On the show floor, Noctua showcased a prototype AIO cooler featuring a hefty 360mm radiator paired with a triple-fan setup—a clear indication that the company aims to compete in the high-performance cooling segment. They also confirmed plans for additional radiator sizes, including 240mm and 420mm variants, which broadens the appeal for different PC build sizes and cooling needs. While Noctua expects these products to launch in early 2026, they caution that these timelines may shift as development continues.
From a technical standpoint, Noctua’s new AIO uses an Asetek pump, a widely trusted and industry-standard solution. But what makes it stand out is the company’s focus on noise reduction: the pump integrates a proprietary three-layer soundproofing system and a tuned-mass damper to dramatically reduce vibrations and pump noise, promising a much quieter operation than typical AIOs on the market. Given Noctua’s legacy of ultra-quiet fans, this innovation suggests the upcoming AIOs will maintain the brand’s reputation for whisper-quiet performance.
Another intriguing innovation is the optional 80mm auxiliary fan that can be mounted directly on the pump block. This fan uses the Coandă effect—a fluid dynamics principle where airflow adheres to curved surfaces—to direct cooling air onto nearby components like RAM sticks or M.2 SSDs. This feature is a clever way to boost thermal performance around the CPU socket, addressing a common hotspot area in many builds without relying on additional case fans. It’s a practical, physics-based solution that goes beyond aesthetics and shows Noctua’s thoughtful approach to cooling design.
While many PC builders already pair Noctua’s iconic fans with third-party AIO coolers, the arrival of a Noctua-branded liquid cooler represents a significant strategic shift for the company. It allows them to offer a comprehensive cooling portfolio covering both air and liquid solutions, all with the hallmark focus on silence and quality. This move could also drive more competition in the crowded AIO market, pushing other brands to innovate and improve their noise and performance balance.
Overall, Noctua’s upcoming AIO coolers look poised to deliver their trademark quiet efficiency in a new form factor. For enthusiasts who have long relied on Noctua’s air coolers, these new liquid coolers could offer the best of both worlds: superior thermal performance for high-end CPUs and the near-silent operation Noctua is famous for. The 2026 launch window gives PC builders something exciting to look forward to, especially those who demand high performance without the typical noise compromises of liquid cooling.
