Introduction
Here at HardwareBunker, we have reviewed most of Noctua’s Intel CPU coolers from the recent generation of products. We had received a shipment of Noctua’s Chromax CPU cooler customer shrouds, fans and coloured accessories and took the opportunity to pick up an NH-U12S to test on its own and with the Chromax range.
The Chromax review is coming shortly, we have a couple of Noctua CPU coolers that we used with the Chromax range, and provides a unique opportunity for Noctua owners, more on that soon.
For full disclosure, we sourced the Noctua NH-U12S CPU Cooler from an online retailer, so it hasn’t been supplied by Noctua.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Model | NH-U12S |
| Socket compatibility | Intel LGA2066, LGA2011-0 & LGA2011-3 (Square ILM), LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150 & AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+ (backplate required), AM4 with NM-AM4-UxS |
| Dimension (with fan) | 158 x 125 x 71mm (HxWxD) |
| Weight (with fan) | 755g |
| Heatpipes | 5 heatpipes |
| Base | Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating |
| Fan | NF-F12 PWM |
| Fan Dimension | 120 x 120 x 26mm |
| Max. Rotational Speed (+/- 10%) | 1500 RPM |
| Fan Noise Level | 22,4 dB(A) |
| Fan Air Flow | 93,4 m³/h |
| Fan MTTF | > 150.000 h |
It’s all together as you would expect from Noctua, with up to date socket compatibility and quality, and no frills to help ensure the design has the best chance of cooling your CPU. That’s what to expect from Noctua, let’s see if it actually matches Noctua’s reputation.
Noctua NH-U12S CPU Cooler Review
Package - 8.5
Performance - 7
Price - 7
Consumer Experience - 7.5
7.5
The Noctua NH-U12S is another Noctua cooler we cannot really fault, other than as an overclocker. It's up to the usual Noctua standards, and if you buy this product, it will feel like a premier purchase, but it's not going to allow for much room in overclocking. With all that said, if you buy this now, and add a second fan later, it may be a good way to get a decent heatsink and fan on a budget and add a fan when you have the cash.