Noctua NH-U9, U12S, U14S TR4-SP3 Threadripper cooler review - A Ripping Introduction

Cooling AMD Ryzen Threadripper procs with Noctua
Noctua NH-U9 TR4-SP3 / NH-U12S TR4-SP3 and NH-U14S TR4-SP3 tested

We take, test and review three Noctua CPU coolers to the test, specifically designed for Ryzen Threadripper for X399 motherboards with Socket TR4/SP3. All three coolers tested have recently been introduced into the channel with kicks performance and versus some really nice airflow, PWM controlled fan. Noctua is re-using their older model NH-U9 - NH-U12S NH-U14S, however, revamped base cooling base plate and the mounting mechanism to fully cover the Threadripper heat spreader. These coolers are drop-in, that means you apply a little thermal paste, mount and secure the cooler. There's no backplate or any complication installation wise. These cooler are incredibly easy to install. 

For every segment and budget, you can find something you need. The market stabilized and within the entire range and scope of heatpipe based coolers, there's a certain comfort zone with a corresponding product available. As a result, most of these coolers available on the market are all adequate at the very least. There are always exceptions to this, there's a handful of manufacturers out there that offer the really interesting stuff, the kit and gear that really stand out from the cooling crowd, the hardware you and me crave and need so badly... that is in the enthusiast domain of gaming hardware. And that's where we need to make a stop at Noctua as they tick all those boxes.  In the long line of CPU coolers, Noctua recently introduced three new models, the Noctua NH-U9 TR4-SP3 / NH-U12S TR4-SP3 and NH-U14S TR4-SP3. The three musketeers have recently been introduced into the channel to offer nice performance created with the help of some really nice airflow PWM controlled fans that are drop-dead silent. So these products are bound to keep any Threadripper CPU released to date nicely cooled and chilled, even the most high-end 16-core and 32-threaded  Ryzen Threadripper 1950X SKU (which we'll use today). The coolers feature roughly the same heat pipe arrangement used by its predecessors. The mounting kit as stated is sheer excellence as the CPU coolers are positions and then screwed tight.

Armed with a 6-year warranty the NH-U9 TR4-SP3 / NH-U12S TR4-SP3 and NH-U14S TR4-SP3 SKUs are selling right now, the NH-U9 TR4-SP3 and NH-U12S TR4-SP3 at 69 EUR/USD, the NH-U14S TR4-SP3 at 79 EUR / USD. Well, let's find out and head onwards into a full review of the product where we'll test its baseline performance but also increase CPU voltage for overclocks to see how well these critters behave temperatures wise. 

Below you can see the NH-U14S, next page, please.