Noctua showed a two-phase, pump-free thermosiphon CPU-cooling prototype at Computex Taipei on June 18, 2024. It looked broadly like a 240 mm all-in-one liquid cooler, but heat moved through evaporation, vapor transport and condensation instead of a powered pump. The project was not for sale then and remains unreleased: Noctua’s latest target is Q3 2027.
What Noctua demonstrated at Computex 2024
Noctua’s exhibit was described as a “Thermosiphon development project” in its 2024 press kit. The company’s announcement called it a two-phase thermosiphon solution with flexible tubing. According to AnandTech’s show-floor report, the demonstration used a CPU-side evaporator, flexible tubes, a 240 mm radiator and two 120 mm Noctua fans.
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This was an engineering demonstration, not a product launch. Noctua did not publish a product name, final specifications, socket list, price or release date in 2024. The hardware had an AIO-like layout, but it was not a conventional pump-driven AIO and was not available to buy.
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The system is best understood as a sealed phase-change heat-transfer loop. It is not simply ordinary water cooling with the pump removed.
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- [Brand Overview] Thermalright is a Taiwan brand with more than 20 years of development. It has a certain popularity in the domestic and foreign markets and has a pivotal influence in the player market. We have been focusing on the research and development of computer accessories. R & D product lines include: CPU air-cooled radiator, case fan, thermal silicone pad, thermal silicone grease, CPU fan controller, anti falling off mounting bracket, support mounting bracket and other commodities
- [Product specification] Thermalright PA120 SE; CPU Cooler dimensions: 125(L)x135(W)x155(H)mm (4.92x5.31x6.1 inch); heat sink material: aluminum, CPU cooler is equipped with metal fasteners of Intel & AMD platform to achieve better installation, double tower cooling is stronger（(Note:Please check your case and motherboard for compatibility with this size cooler.）
- 【2 PWM Fans】TL-C12C; Standard size PWM fan:120x120x25mm (4.72x4.72x0.98 inches); fan speed (RPM):1550rpm±10%; power port: 4pin; Voltage:12V; Air flow:66.17CFM(MAX); Noise Level≤25.6dB(A), leave room for memory-chip(RAM), so that installation of ice cooler cpu is unrestricted
- 【AGHP technique】6×6mm heat pipes apply AGHP technique, Solve the Inverse gravity effect caused by vertical / horizontal orientation, 6 pure copper sintered heat pipes & PWM fan & Pure copper base&Full electroplating reflow welding process, When CPU cooler works, match with pwm fans, aim to extreme CPU cooling performance
- 【Compatibility】The CPU cooler Socket supports: Intel:115X/1200/1700/17XX AMD:AM4;AM5; For different CPU socket platforms, corresponding mounting plate or fastener parts are provided（Note: Toinstall the AMD platform, you need to use the original motherboard's built-in backplanefor installation, which is not included with this product)
- Evaporation at the CPU: Heat from the processor boils or vaporizes the working fluid in the evaporator.
- Vapor transport: The vapor travels through the tubing toward the cooler condenser.
- Condensation in the radiator: The radiator and its fans remove heat, turning vapor back into liquid.
- Gravity-assisted return: Liquid flows back toward the CPU-side evaporator, allowing the cycle to repeat without a mechanical pump.
The fans are still moving parts and still consume power. “Pumpless” or “no mechanical pump in the fluid loop” is therefore more accurate than “completely passive” or “fanless.”
This is also different from a vapor chamber. A vapor chamber is generally a sealed, planar heat spreader. Noctua’s design is a larger tube-connected system with a separate CPU evaporator and radiator/condenser. Phase-change heat transfer is common in several forms, but applying a thermosiphon to a desktop CPU cooler creates different packaging and reliability requirements.
Why remove the pump?
A pump is a defining component of a traditional AIO. It adds electrical power use, vibration, acoustic output and another mechanical failure point. Noctua’s stated objective was to retain the radiator-based heat-rejection format while eliminating those pump-related issues.
Rank #2
- Cool for R7 | i7: Four heat pipes and a copper base ensure optimal cooling performance for AMD R7 and Intel i7.
- Quiet Cooling Fan: SickleFlow 120 Edge with Dynamic PWM control (690–2,500 RPM), designed for low noise and peak cooling performance.
- Simplify Brackets: Redesigned brackets simplify installation on AM5 and LGA 1851|1700 platforms.
- Versatile Compatibility: 152mm tall design offers performance with wide chassis compatibility.
- Easy Installation: Easy to install with included thermal paste for hassle-free setup and optimal cooling performance.
- Potentially lower loop noise: the fans remain audible, but there is no continuously running pump motor.
- Fewer active components in the fluid circuit: removing the pump could reduce wear and pump-specific failure modes.
- AIO-like capacity: a remote radiator can reject heat without relying on a very large tower heatsink.
- Efficient phase-change transport: boiling and condensing can move heat through the loop without an impeller.
These are design goals and plausible advantages, not proof that the prototype was quieter, cooler or longer-lived than a retail AIO. The 2024 coverage did not include a standardized independent temperature or acoustic comparison.
The engineering problems a retail version must solve
Orientation and gravity
Because liquid return is gravity-assisted, the final product may have installation-orientation limits. Noctua did not specify an allowable orientation in its 2024 material, so claims that the cooler can be installed in any position are unsupported.
Tubing life and permeability
AnandTech reported that Noctua identified conventional flexible tubing wear as a concern. Metal or rigid tubing could improve durability, but would make routing and case compatibility harder. A consumer design must also control fluid permeation, connector sealing and long-term leak risk.
Rank #3
- [5-inch IPS LCD Screen] The radiator features a magnetic top cover with a built-in display, offering a resolution of 480x854. It allows real-time monitoring of various system parameters and, combined with the TRCC control software, supports custom background themes for personalized display.
- [Excellent Cooling Performance] The CPU cooler is primarily composed of a dual-tower design, two fans, and a magnetically attached top cover featuring a 5-inch IPS LCD screen. Six pure copper heat pipes paired with a nickel-plated copper base ensure optimal contact with the CPU. Combined with a high-speed rotation of 2150 RPM, this configuration delivers superior cooling efficiency for the heatsink.
- [Heatsink Specifications] Overall dimensions of the CPU cooler: 125x135x164mm (LxWxH), fan dimensions: 120x120x25mm, fan speed: 2150 RPM±10%, airflow: 69 CFM, operating noise ≤27 dB(A), fan power interface: 4-pin PWM, RGB interface: 5V 3-pin ARGB. The dual fans included with the heatsink feature S-FDB V2 bearings, known for their longevity, ensuring sustained cooling performance over time.
- [AGHP Heat Pipe Technology] The 6x6mm heat pipes utilize AGHP Gen 5.0 technology, effectively countering the adverse effects of gravity in both vertical and horizontal orientations. The pure copper heat pipes, combined with a nickel-plated micro-engraved copper base via reflow soldering, enhance cooling performance across dual platforms while accommodating GPU and RAM clearance with a designed offset.
- [164mm Height] The heatsink cooler stands at 164mm in height, ensuring compatibility with mainstream ATX cases. The cooling towers feature a matte black coating, while the magnetic top cover incorporates a display screen, blending high-performance cooling with innovative design. The dual-tower, dual-fan layout is engineered for seamless compatibility with tall RAM heat spreaders and GPU installations.
Dryout and vapor blankets
The evaporator has to keep the CPU heat source wetted while handling rapidly changing, concentrated heat. If liquid supply or surface wetting breaks down, dryout can reduce heat transfer. Noctua’s later work on a porous sintered-copper microlayer and avoiding vapor blankets shows that high-heat-flux stability is a central development problem.
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A production cooler needs repeatable evaporator and condenser fabrication, a controlled charging process, compatible materials, reliable seals and compliance testing. “No pump” does not mean maintenance-free: fans can fail, tubes can leak or lose fluid, radiators collect dust, and poor case airflow can still cause overheating.
What was—and was not—proven in 2024
The Computex display proved that Noctua was pursuing a working two-phase thermosiphon architecture in a desktop-cooler format. It did not establish a performance ranking against commercial 240, 280, 360 or 420 mm AIOs, nor did it establish a service life or retail reliability advantage.
Rank #4
- Pure Rock Pro 3 features 6 black high-performance copper heat pipes with nickel-plated base. As a result, this high-end cooler always keeps your CPU at peak performance, even in overclocked systems and demanding workstations.
- Pure Wings 3 120mm PWM and Pure Rock Pro 3 are a perfect match. The fan features optimized fan blades for highest performance. The angles are adjusted to achieve even more air pressure, adding up to the extraordinary performance. A specially designed, funnel shaped air outlet is more than just the icing on the cake: it maximizes the airflow over the fins.
- Despite being a double-tower air cooler, Pure Rock Pro 3’s compact offset design increase RAM and VRM cooler compatibility significantly. The height of the front fan can be adjusted, if needed.
- Installation is easier than ever with the Pure Rock Pro 3. Its mounting kit is self-explanatory and easy to use, making attaching the cooler a breeze. Users of an AM5 CPU by AMD can benefit from an offset mounting to center the base plate above the hot spots of their CPU.
- Powerful. Strong. Unshakable. The Pure Rock Pro 3 makes a statement not only in performance, but also in design. We made sure the cooler leaves a lasting impression in your PC. Despite its striking appearance, its lines are discreet, perfectly combining power and elegance.
| Question | What the available evidence supports |
|---|---|
| Cooling method | Two-phase evaporation and condensation with gravity-assisted circulation |
| Pump | No mechanical pump in the fluid cycle; radiator fans remain |
| 2024 prototype layout | 240 mm radiator and two 120 mm fans, according to AnandTech’s report |
| Independent benchmark | Not published in the cited 2024 coverage |
| 2024 price and launch date | Not announced |
What changed by 2026?
Noctua’s June 11, 2026 update says the project is being developed with Belgian two-phase-cooling specialist Calyos. During the preceding 12 months, the teams tested more than 400 evaporator prototypes and 25 condenser prototypes. Noctua also said its prototyping capacity grew from roughly one evaporator design per month to as many as four per day.
The company cites work on vapor release, fluid circulation, hotspot resistance, dryout prevention, tubing permeation, connector sealing and regulatory compliance. It now targets release in Q3 2027. That is an estimated roadmap target, not a firm shipping commitment; Noctua’s roadmap notes that research, validation, manufacturing and coordination can change dates. As of August 18, 2026, there is no retail thermosiphon cooler to purchase.
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| Cooler type | Strengths | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Premium air cooler | Simple architecture, no liquid loop or pump, straightforward replacement | Large heatsink; possible RAM and motherboard-clearance conflicts |
| Traditional AIO | Radiator placement flexibility and strong sustained-load potential | Pump noise, vibration, power use, seals, tubing and pump failure risk |
| Thermosiphon | Radiator format without a pump in the fluid cycle | Orientation, phase-change, sealing, tubing and manufacturing challenges; unreleased |
If you need a cooler now
Noctua’s NH-D15 G2 is an immediate air-cooling alternative. It launched on July 2, 2024, at a US suggested retail price of $149.90 and uses eight heatpipes, two NF-A14x25r G2 fans and a six-year warranty. Its LBC and HBC variants are platform-specific, and the cooler needs a case with sufficient height and memory clearance. See the official product page and buying page.
Best Value
- [Brand Overview] Thermalright is a Taiwan brand with more than 20 years of development. It has a certain popularity in the domestic and foreign markets and has a pivotal influence in the player market. We have been focusing on the research and development of computer accessories. R & D product lines include: CPU air-cooled radiator, case fan, thermal silicone pad, thermal silicone grease, CPU fan controller, anti falling off mounting bracket, support mounting bracket and other commodities
- [Product specification]AX120R SE; CPU Cooler dimensions: 125(L)x71(W)x148(H)mm (4.92x2.8x 5.83 inch); Product weight:0.645kg(1.42lb); heat sink material: aluminum, CPU cooler is equipped with metal fasteners of Intel & AMD platform to achieve better installation
- 【PWM Fans】TL-C12C; Standard size PWM fan:120x120x25mm (4.72x4.72x0.98 inches); fan speed (RPM):1550rpm±10%; power port: 4pin; Voltage:12V; Air flow:66.17CFM(MAX); Noise Level≤25.6dB(A), the fan pairs efficient cool with low-noise-level, providing you an environment with both efficient cool and true quietness
- 【AGHP technique】4×6mm heat pipes apply AGHP technique, Solve the Inverse gravity effect caused by vertical / horizontal orientation. Up to 20000 hours of industrial service life, S-FDB bearings ensure long service life of air-cooler radiators. UL class a safety insulation low-grade, industrial strength PBT + PC material to create high-quality products for you. The height is 148mm, Suitable for medium-sized computer case
- 【Compatibility】The CPU cooler Socket supports: Intel:1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700/17XX/1851,AMD:AM4 /AM5; For different CPU socket platforms, corresponding mounting plate or fastener parts are provided
Noctua’s NL-LC1-24, NL-LC1-36 and NL-LC1-42 are conventional pump-driven AIOs based on Asetek’s Emma V2 platform, not thermosiphons. The company lists June 16, 2026 suggested US prices of $219.90, $249.90 and $279.90 respectively, with six-year warranties. They suit buyers who want radiator-based headroom now, but not anyone specifically seeking a pump-free loop. Details are in Noctua’s official announcement.
If you are considering waiting
Waiting is rational only if eliminating pump noise and pump-related wear matters more than having a confirmed product, price, socket list and benchmark today. A Q3 2027 target is still years away and may move.
Bottom line
Noctua’s Computex 2024 prototype was a credible and unusual attempt to remove the pump from AIO-style CPU cooling. Its thermodynamic cycle is compelling, but the commercial challenge is making it durable, orientation-tolerant, leak-resistant and economical at scale. The project has advanced with Calyos and a provisional Q3 2027 target, yet it remains a development project rather than a cooler you can buy.
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