A few days ago, Noctua unveiled its first line of all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooling systems, the NL-LC1 series. In line with its commitment to optimal cooling, Noctua offers this model in a variety of sizes. Whether you opt for a mid-range or high-end processor, this AIO series is available in 240 mm, 360 mm, and 420 mm sizes, making it ideal for PC setups with the most demanding cooling requirements. If you’ve read our review, you’ve likely noticed that, unsurprisingly, the models in the NL-LC1 series stand out for their quieter operation. But while the company’s brand image speaks for itself, it’s worth noting that even after all these years, Noctua’s traditional brown and beige color scheme doesn’t always win everyone over. The brand has recognized this and decided to release some of its models in a deep black shade called chromax.black—an option that many users have quickly embraced.
A few days ago, the release of the brand’s roadmap left some people disappointed. Those hoping to purchase an NL-LC1 AIO kit in the chromax.black variant were bitterly disappointed to find that these models were absent from Noctua’s launch schedule. Worse still, the official document made no mention of them for the second half of this year… or for the first half of 2027!
The NL-LC1 AIOs will indeed be available in a chromax.black variant this year.
The frustration was clearly voiced loudly, and Noctua had to issue an official statement on its social media channels. A few days ago, on its YouTube channel, the brand sought to reassure fans by announcing that the chromax.black AIOs would arrive in late 2026 or early 2027…
But the “pressure” intensified, and in a video on the HardwareCanucks channel—faced with repeated questions—the brand had to clarify its timeline.
So, of course, we hope this response isn’t just a moment of panic caused by pressure and that Noctua will stick to this timeline… We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on this story.
