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Guru3D Rig of the Month - December 2019
Noctua NH-U12A cooler review
Posted by: on: 05/28/2019 03:17 PM [
27 comment(s) ]
Today we are reviewing the newest Noctua cooler, it’s NH-U12A. There is little need to introduce the Austrian company as it’s one of the most recognized in the market. The official presentation of NH-U12A commenced on the 19th of March.
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Alex13
Senior Member
Posts: 2320
Senior Member
Posts: 2320
Posted on: 05/28/2019 03:39 PM
I personally don't mind the color of Noctua but, (read below)
Noctua should start selling coolers without fans, for people that want to buy the black variants. Or sort an online shop at their own website, where you can combine products.
Chromax looks actually good to me, if you're willing to spend a bit more.
PS. This cooler's fan doesnt have a chromax variant, so a no go for any non poop color fan fans
I personally don't mind the color of Noctua but, (read below)
Noctua should start selling coolers without fans, for people that want to buy the black variants. Or sort an online shop at their own website, where you can combine products.
Chromax looks actually good to me, if you're willing to spend a bit more.
PS. This cooler's fan doesnt have a chromax variant, so a no go for any non poop color fan fans
buhehe
Senior Member
Posts: 197
Senior Member
Posts: 197
Posted on: 05/28/2019 03:39 PM
Really bad value given that price... performance is too close to 14S, which is almost half the price.
Having 2 fans, I'd be curious to see how it performs against a dual fan configuration of its cousins 12S and 14S (both come with only 1 fan).
Really bad value given that price... performance is too close to 14S, which is almost half the price.
Having 2 fans, I'd be curious to see how it performs against a dual fan configuration of its cousins 12S and 14S (both come with only 1 fan).
alanm
Senior Member
Posts: 9016
Senior Member
Posts: 9016
Posted on: 05/28/2019 03:54 PM
The D15 = $89.95 @ Amazon (at the moment).
The D15 = $89.95 @ Amazon (at the moment).
TheDeeGee
Senior Member
Posts: 6291
Senior Member
Posts: 6291
Posted on: 05/28/2019 03:56 PM
Chromax looks actually good to me, if you're willing to spend a bit more.
PS. This cooler's fan doesnt have a chromax variant, so a no go for any non poop color fan fans
I'm sure these will do just fine.
https://noctua.at/en/nf-f12-pwm-chromax-black-swap
Chromax looks actually good to me, if you're willing to spend a bit more.
PS. This cooler's fan doesnt have a chromax variant, so a no go for any non poop color fan fans
I'm sure these will do just fine.
https://noctua.at/en/nf-f12-pwm-chromax-black-swap
Alex13
Senior Member
Posts: 2320
Senior Member
Posts: 2320
Posted on: 05/28/2019 04:03 PM
Yeah, fine, just not the same. The fan on this new cooler is supposed to be noctuas new and best 120mm fan.
But yeah, ultimately NHD15 > This , easily.
Yeah, fine, just not the same. The fan on this new cooler is supposed to be noctuas new and best 120mm fan.
But yeah, ultimately NHD15 > This , easily.
FrostNixon
Senior Member
Posts: 196
Senior Member
Posts: 196
Posted on: 05/28/2019 06:55 PM
Great review, as always. Chosing a cooling solution nowadays is a bit hard with the variable prices and flooded market, might I suggest we get more reviews for a better template HH, since there is no other place I trully trust?
Great review, as always. Chosing a cooling solution nowadays is a bit hard with the variable prices and flooded market, might I suggest we get more reviews for a better template HH, since there is no other place I trully trust?
JamesSneed
Senior Member
Posts: 641
Senior Member
Posts: 641
Posted on: 05/28/2019 07:41 PM
Yeah, fine, just not the same. The fan on this new cooler is supposed to be noctuas new and best 120mm fan.
But yeah, ultimately NHD15 > This , easily.
If you have room for the NHD15. I personally have the NHD15 with two Phanteks PH-F140MP fans cooling my Ryzen 1800x but i'm sure some builds wouldn't have room for that beast.
This NH-U12A s expensive but man it cools great for its size.
Yeah, fine, just not the same. The fan on this new cooler is supposed to be noctuas new and best 120mm fan.
But yeah, ultimately NHD15 > This , easily.
If you have room for the NHD15. I personally have the NHD15 with two Phanteks PH-F140MP fans cooling my Ryzen 1800x but i'm sure some builds wouldn't have room for that beast.
This NH-U12A s expensive but man it cools great for its size.
Alex13
Senior Member
Posts: 2320
Senior Member
Posts: 2320
Posted on: 05/28/2019 07:55 PM
I'd argue not many would go for 100$ cpu cooler that don't have the room. The argument has merit but if you're in the know and on somekinda matx build you're probably looking at different low profile options.
I'd argue not many would go for 100$ cpu cooler that don't have the room. The argument has merit but if you're in the know and on somekinda matx build you're probably looking at different low profile options.
H83
Senior Member
Posts: 2797
Senior Member
Posts: 2797
Posted on: 05/28/2019 09:28 PM
Finally the review i wanted! And i´m very glad to read that the cooler doesn´t disappoint, great performance in such a small size. And yes the price is steep but Noctua compensates this with amazing quality. I´m been using my Noctua U12-SE2, that cost me 70 or 80€, non stop for more than 6/8 years without any issue! Works as good as the first day i started using it! As for the colors i don´t mind them but i agree that Noctua should offer different options because they are losing customers in a silly way...
I think i´m going to buy this beauty.
Great review as always!
By the way i noticed the review was written by a different person, don´t tell you guys finally got tired of Hilbert...
Finally the review i wanted! And i´m very glad to read that the cooler doesn´t disappoint, great performance in such a small size. And yes the price is steep but Noctua compensates this with amazing quality. I´m been using my Noctua U12-SE2, that cost me 70 or 80€, non stop for more than 6/8 years without any issue! Works as good as the first day i started using it! As for the colors i don´t mind them but i agree that Noctua should offer different options because they are losing customers in a silly way...
I think i´m going to buy this beauty.
Great review as always!
By the way i noticed the review was written by a different person, don´t tell you guys finally got tired of Hilbert...
JamesSneed
Senior Member
Posts: 641
Senior Member
Posts: 641
Posted on: 05/28/2019 10:26 PM
I agree. I wasn't pushing for this other than it cools great for its size. They need to get the cost down otherwise why not get an AIO.
I'd argue not many would go for 100$ cpu cooler that don't have the room. The argument has merit but if you're in the know and on some kinda matx build you're probably looking at different low profile options.
I agree. I wasn't pushing for this other than it cools great for its size. They need to get the cost down otherwise why not get an AIO.
Captain_Hook
Administrator
Posts: 47
Administrator
Posts: 47
Posted on: 05/28/2019 10:54 PM
Noctua should start selling coolers without fans, for people that want to buy the black variants. Or sort an online shop at their own website, where you can combine products.
Soon
https://www.overclock3d.net/news/cases-cooling/noctua-s-all-black-chromax-cpu-coolers-and-fans-are-ready-for-production/1
Really bad value given that price... performance is too close to 14S, which is almost half the price.
Well, NH-U14S is a bigger one, so for some it can be an issue (especially in mATX)
Chosing a cooling solution nowadays is a bit hard with the variable prices and flooded market, might I suggest we get more reviews for a better template HH, since there is no other place I trully trust?
What do you mean by a better template?
This NH-U12A s expensive but man it cools great for its size.
That's the whole idea
Great review as always!
By the way i noticed the review was written by a different person, don´t tell you guys finally got tired of Hilbert...
Thank you . Look closely here https://www.guru3d.com/articles-categories/cooling.html for the authors. Also I do some chassis, RAM and other stuff reviews for over a year now
Noctua should start selling coolers without fans, for people that want to buy the black variants. Or sort an online shop at their own website, where you can combine products.
Soon
https://www.overclock3d.net/news/cases-cooling/noctua-s-all-black-chromax-cpu-coolers-and-fans-are-ready-for-production/1Really bad value given that price... performance is too close to 14S, which is almost half the price.
Well, NH-U14S is a bigger one, so for some it can be an issue (especially in mATX)
Chosing a cooling solution nowadays is a bit hard with the variable prices and flooded market, might I suggest we get more reviews for a better template HH, since there is no other place I trully trust?
What do you mean by a better template?
This NH-U12A s expensive but man it cools great for its size.
That's the whole idea
Great review as always!
By the way i noticed the review was written by a different person, don´t tell you guys finally got tired of Hilbert...
Thank you
. Look closely here https://www.guru3d.com/articles-categories/cooling.html for the authors. Also I do some chassis, RAM and other stuff reviews for over a year now
RyuzakiL
Junior Member
Posts: 18
Junior Member
Posts: 18
Posted on: 05/29/2019 05:32 AM
And here I am still using a CM V6 GT to cool my 8700k and I think its high time I should replace with a potent one, as it's already at 76c on mild overclock (4.3ghz all cores)
Should I get this over Noctua D15? Considering the size of the ram?
Thank you.
" alt="" />
And here I am still using a CM V6 GT to cool my 8700k and I think its high time I should replace with a potent one, as it's already at 76c on mild overclock (4.3ghz all cores)
Should I get this over Noctua D15? Considering the size of the ram?
Thank you.
" alt="" />
Junglist724
Junior Member
Posts: 7
Junior Member
Posts: 7
Posted on: 05/29/2019 05:50 AM
Chromax looks actually good to me, if you're willing to spend a bit more.
PS. This cooler's fan doesnt have a chromax variant, so a no go for any non poop color fan fans
They've got got all black, all white, and translucent versions in the works.
Chromax looks actually good to me, if you're willing to spend a bit more.
PS. This cooler's fan doesnt have a chromax variant, so a no go for any non poop color fan fans
They've got got all black, all white, and translucent versions in the works.
mertyboy1207
Junior Member
Posts: 2
Junior Member
Posts: 2
Posted on: 05/29/2019 05:51 AM
I wish you hadnt used a de-lidded cpu for your review, as I dont feel thats representative of what most people would have done with their i7 8700k (myself included). Just seems a strange decision to use a modded part...o_O
I wish you hadnt used a de-lidded cpu for your review, as I dont feel thats representative of what most people would have done with their i7 8700k (myself included). Just seems a strange decision to use a modded part...o_O
Captain_Hook
Administrator
Posts: 47
Administrator
Posts: 47
Posted on: 05/29/2019 07:10 AM
And here I am still using a CM V6 GT to cool my 8700k and I think its high time I should replace with a potent one, as it's already at 76c on mild overclock (4.3ghz all cores)
Should I get this over Noctua D15? Considering the size of the ram?
Thank you.
" alt="" />
If the size is crucial it's really worth considering the NH-U12A. But maybe better check the dimensions, the NH-D15S is very nice in RAM compatibility too
I wish you hadnt used a de-lidded cpu for your review, as I don't feel that's representative of what most people would have done with their i7 8700k (myself included). Just seems a strange decision to use a modded part...o_O
The idea behind is that the delidded CPU will present the real thermal performance of the cooler, not limited by the (let's say in a delicate way - bad) paste under the IHS.
And here I am still using a CM V6 GT to cool my 8700k and I think its high time I should replace with a potent one, as it's already at 76c on mild overclock (4.3ghz all cores)
Should I get this over Noctua D15? Considering the size of the ram?
Thank you.
" alt="" />If the size is crucial it's really worth considering the NH-U12A. But maybe better check the dimensions, the NH-D15S is very nice in RAM compatibility too
I wish you hadnt used a de-lidded cpu for your review, as I don't feel that's representative of what most people would have done with their i7 8700k (myself included). Just seems a strange decision to use a modded part...o_O
The idea behind is that the delidded CPU will present the real thermal performance of the cooler, not limited by the (let's say in a delicate way - bad) paste under the IHS.
RyuzakiL
Junior Member
Posts: 18
Junior Member
Posts: 18
Posted on: 05/29/2019 08:17 AM
If the size is crucial it's really worth considering the NH-U12A. But maybe better check the dimensions, the NH-D15S is very nice in RAM compatibility too
The idea behind is that the delidded CPU will present the real thermal performance of the cooler, not limited by the (let's say in a delicate way - bad) paste under the IHS.
Thanks for the advice. Then I shall consider NH-D15S as the price should be close compared to NH-U12A.
If the size is crucial it's really worth considering the NH-U12A. But maybe better check the dimensions, the NH-D15S is very nice in RAM compatibility too
The idea behind is that the delidded CPU will present the real thermal performance of the cooler, not limited by the (let's say in a delicate way - bad) paste under the IHS.
Thanks for the advice. Then I shall consider NH-D15S as the price should be close compared to NH-U12A.
Alex13
Senior Member
Posts: 2320
Senior Member
Posts: 2320
Posted on: 05/29/2019 11:03 AM
They had them even last year as "prototypes", not holding my breath
They've got got all black, all white, and translucent versions in the works.
They had them even last year as "prototypes", not holding my breath
mertyboy1207
Junior Member
Posts: 2
Junior Member
Posts: 2
Posted on: 05/29/2019 05:31 PM
yeah, theres an explanation as to why he used a de-lidded processor in the review, but that doesnt tell me the temperatures I can expect to achieve when using my un-modded processor, which is ultimately what I want (need) to know.
yeah, theres an explanation as to why he used a de-lidded processor in the review, but that doesnt tell me the temperatures I can expect to achieve when using my un-modded processor, which is ultimately what I want (need) to know.
Captain_Hook
Administrator
Posts: 47
Administrator
Posts: 47
Posted on: 05/29/2019 05:46 PM
It's really a matter of the CPU you use (each differs, even the TIM under IHS behaves differently), motherboard (the ability to keep the set voltage), chassis (as the airflow is different in most of them) and even things like the temperature in the room . It's hard to tell what temps would you have in reality.
yeah, theres an explanation as to why he used a de-lidded processor in the review, but that doesnt tell me the temperatures I can expect to achieve when using my un-modded processor, which is ultimately what I want (need) to know.
It's really a matter of the CPU you use (each differs, even the TIM under IHS behaves differently), motherboard (the ability to keep the set voltage), chassis (as the airflow is different in most of them) and even things like the temperature in the room
. It's hard to tell what temps would you have in reality.
Robbo9999
Senior Member
Posts: 1410
Senior Member
Posts: 1410
Posted on: 05/29/2019 09:40 PM
I think it's a good decision that the 8700K was delidded for testing how effective coolers perform - as the review says it exposes the true ability of the coolers and distinguishes performance differences between the coolers more clearly. Also, a lot of us here are enthusiasts who would delid their CPU anyway (I'm one, which I did to my 6700K), so there's some even more direct validity there. Essentially you'd just choose the best cooler for whatever budget you're willing to spend, so these reviews will help you do that.
I'm impressed that this new single tower cooler was nearly as good as the dual tower NH-D15. I like that the Noctua air coolers are really quite silent in their operation while retaining good performance - I get the impression that they're quieter than most AIO water coolers, while cooling almost as well or better in some cases. Plus you don't have as many parts that can fail when it comes to an air cooler. It's for all those reasons I've got a Noctua NH-D14.
I think it's a good decision that the 8700K was delidded for testing how effective coolers perform - as the review says it exposes the true ability of the coolers and distinguishes performance differences between the coolers more clearly. Also, a lot of us here are enthusiasts who would delid their CPU anyway (I'm one, which I did to my 6700K), so there's some even more direct validity there. Essentially you'd just choose the best cooler for whatever budget you're willing to spend, so these reviews will help you do that.
I'm impressed that this new single tower cooler was nearly as good as the dual tower NH-D15. I like that the Noctua air coolers are really quite silent in their operation while retaining good performance - I get the impression that they're quieter than most AIO water coolers, while cooling almost as well or better in some cases. Plus you don't have as many parts that can fail when it comes to an air cooler. It's for all those reasons I've got a Noctua NH-D14.
Grumpymangrumbling2019
Member
Posts: 63
Member
Posts: 63
Posted on: 05/29/2019 11:43 PM
I have 2 of these on my vega 64 liquid.
i keep it on minimum rpm and thermals stay below 60,
i have to look a them to check if they are on.
very expensive but you do get some nice cable splinters and extenders in the box.
Only other choice are gentle typhoon fans, they perform just as well.
I have 2 of these on my vega 64 liquid.
i keep it on minimum rpm and thermals stay below 60,
i have to look a them to check if they are on.
very expensive but you do get some nice cable splinters and extenders in the box.
Only other choice are gentle typhoon fans, they perform just as well.
smashmambo
Member
Posts: 32
Member
Posts: 32
Posted on: 05/30/2019 12:21 PM
I have the NH-U12S on my 8700K and it works great. I've not overclocked the total frequency of the CPU, but I have toggled to have ALL cores boost to 4.7ghz in the MSI bios. Temps are pretty low and had zero problems with it even in the summer when it was very warm. Noctua make good stuff and recommend them.
I have the NH-U12S on my 8700K and it works great. I've not overclocked the total frequency of the CPU, but I have toggled to have ALL cores boost to 4.7ghz in the MSI bios. Temps are pretty low and had zero problems with it even in the summer when it was very warm. Noctua make good stuff and recommend them.
Neo Cyrus
Senior Member
Posts: 9255
Senior Member
Posts: 9255
Posted on: 05/30/2019 01:08 PM
You could pull 4.7GHz off on a 8700K with pretty much any cooler. It's nice to have that OC headroom since you're going to need it. You essentially don't have an upgrade path for just the CPU, and you'll be losing performance with the onslaught of security patches. I really do believe Intel knew exactly what they were doing.
I said it during the Mesozoic Era, and I'll say it again now: Noctua need to stop being smug stubborn assholes, stop mocking potential customers, and sell their items REGULARLY (not "Okay, pay us $400 for a colour mod.") with options aside from grandpa diarrhea brown. No company other than the literal best would have gotten away with it. They remind me so much of Research in Motion (Blackberry).
I have an NH-D15 AM4 Asshole Edition, and I'm satisfied with it, but I absolutely would NOT have bought it if there was literally any other high end AM4 cooler available at that time. It was the only high end one which came with the mounting, all the others required separate shipping for mounting with unknown delivery time if they had it at all. It's so ugly that I bought the "Chromax" cover for it in white to reflect the case lights off it. For $100 you'd think they'd include the entire cooler and not just the bare bones.
I have the NH-U12S on my 8700K and it works great. I've not overclocked the total frequency of the CPU, but I have toggled to have ALL cores boost to 4.7ghz in the MSI bios. Temps are pretty low and had zero problems with it even in the summer when it was very warm. Noctua make good stuff and recommend them.
You could pull 4.7GHz off on a 8700K with pretty much any cooler. It's nice to have that OC headroom since you're going to need it. You essentially don't have an upgrade path for just the CPU, and you'll be losing performance with the onslaught of security patches. I really do believe Intel knew exactly what they were doing.
I said it during the Mesozoic Era, and I'll say it again now: Noctua need to stop being smug stubborn assholes, stop mocking potential customers, and sell their items REGULARLY (not "Okay, pay us $400 for a colour mod.") with options aside from grandpa diarrhea brown. No company other than the literal best would have gotten away with it. They remind me so much of Research in Motion (Blackberry).
I have an NH-D15 AM4 Asshole Edition, and I'm satisfied with it, but I absolutely would NOT have bought it if there was literally any other high end AM4 cooler available at that time. It was the only high end one which came with the mounting, all the others required separate shipping for mounting with unknown delivery time if they had it at all. It's so ugly that I bought the "Chromax" cover for it in white to reflect the case lights off it. For $100 you'd think they'd include the entire cooler and not just the bare bones.
tunejunky
Senior Member
Posts: 888
Senior Member
Posts: 888
Posted on: 05/30/2019 02:20 PM
the Rolls-Royce of air coolers
the Rolls-Royce of air coolers
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Senior Member
Posts: 6291
I personally don't mind the color of Noctua but, (read below)
Noctua should start selling coolers without fans, for people that want to buy the black variants. Or sort an online shop at their own website, where you can combine products.