Noctua NH-U12P CPU Cooler Review

Conclusions

Noctua NH-U12P is a CPU cooler with excellent performance, being also very quiet. Its performance was compatible to some of the best coolers we tested, like Thermaltake TMG-IA1, and does not keep it behind even to Cooler Master V10. In terms of noise level, it was also one of the quietest in our recent reviews.

Its general looks is also very cool, with its solid aspect and robustness notewhorty. Its fins are thicker than in most cooler, and they are not sharp. In few words: it is a high quality cooler.

The difficult installation can be seen as a problem, but the system developed by Noctua keeps the cooler very steady, without bending or forcing the motherboard. Once installed this system allows you to remove the cooler (for cleaning, for example) and put it back in place with relative ease.

The only real problem we found was the fan rotation speed controlling system. Actually, there is no such system: the adapters that come with the cooler make it to look like it was "mickey moused". The fan itselft is a very good one, silent and strong, but would be better if it had a PWM speed control, allowing the motherboard to adjust the fan speed, reducing it when the CPU is idle and increasing it when more cooling power is needed.

U12P is not an inexpensive cooler, but its price is comparable to its competitors. So, if you are looking for a well-made CPU cooler, quiet and with excellent performance but don’t want an advanced fan control system (or will use it with a fan controller), Noctua NH-U12P is a nice buy.