heading
Building on the proven basis of the successful NH-C12P, which has received more than 100 awards and recommendations from the international press, the NH-C12P SE14 now comes with Noctua's new NF-P14 140mm fan for further improved quiet cooling performance as well as the new SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting system. Topped off with Noctua's pro-grade NT-H1 thermal compound and adding support for both LGA1366 and LGA1156/1155/1150, the NH-C12P SE14 is a premium quality quiet cooler that provides lots of airflow for near-socket mainboard components and excellent case compatibility at a height of only 114mm.
Details |
Proven 6 heatpipe design
Recommended by more than 100 international hardware websites and magazines, the NH-C12P heatsink is renowned for its excellent quality and thermal performance.
|
C-type design with Airflow-Gaps
Due to the down-facing design, two large Airflow-Gaps and the oversize 140mm fan, the NH-C12P SE14 provides superior cooling for near-socket motherboard components.
|
NF-P14 140mm premium fan
Further improving the original NH-C12P's much acclaimed quiet cooling performance, the NF-P14 is a highly optimised, premium quality 140mm fan with Vortex-Control Notches for superb quietness and outstanding aerodynamic efficiency.
|
High compatibility
The down-facing c-type design allows for low height as well as excellent motherboard and case compatibility, making the NH-C12P SE14 suitable for many smaller or desktop style cases.
|
SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting system
Noctua's enthusiast grade SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting provides broad socket compatibility (LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1150, LGA775, AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+) and meets the highest demands in safety, performance and ease-of-use.
|
Noctua NT-H1 high-end thermal compound
Noctua's much-acclaimed NT-H1 is a well proven pro-grade TIM solution that provides minimum thermal resistance, excellent ease-of-use and outstanding reliability.
|
|
||
|
Intel LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1150, LGA775, LGA2011 on request, Asus X-socket™ & AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+ (backplate required)
|
||
|
Height (without fan)
90 mm
|
||
|
Width (without fan)
126 mm
|
||
|
Depth (without fan)
152 mm
|
||
|
Weight (without fan)
550 g
|
||
|
Height (with fan)
114 mm
|
||
|
Width (with fan)
140 mm
|
||
|
Depth (with fan)
152 mm
|
||
|
Weight (with fan)
730 g
|
||
|
Material
Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating
|
||
|
Fan compatibility
140x140x25mm / 120x120x25mm
|
||
|
Scope of delivery
|
||
|
6 Years
|
|
||
|
Model
|
||
|
Bearing
|
||
|
Rotational speed (+/- 10%)
1200 RPM
|
||
|
Rotational speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%)
900 RPM
|
||
|
Rotational Speed with U.L.N.A. (+/- 10%)
750 RPM
|
||
|
83,7 m³/h
|
||
|
Acoustical noise
19,6 dB(A)
|
||
|
Voltage range
12 V
|
||
|
MTTF
> 150.000 h
|
|
|||||||
|
NH-C12P SE14 Review
Noctua's NH-C12P SE14 has proven itself to be a worthy contender in today's CPU cooler market. Its quality and bundled accessories set it apart from the rest to make it more appealing. As usual, Noctua has bundled the cooler with easy to install mounting hardware for almost every current CPU socket along with an excellent 140 mm fan, thermal grease, and tools to make installation a breeze. The included fan is near silent at normal 12V operation but Noctua has included two voltage regulation adapters that, when utilized, drop the fan to 7V, or 5V to further decrease fan noise. It also provides airflow for components around the CPU socket to aid in cooling. Like many of Noctua's other coolers, the NH-C12P SE14 has an offset design that helps work around any clearance issues you may run into during installation. It comes with a durable Nickel plated finish that is both functional and attractive. Should you run into any problems, Noctua provides a six year warranty on all their coolers.
|
||||||
|
Test verdict: "Overall the Noctua NH-C12P SE14 is excellent. If you find yourself in the market for a high performance CPU cooler that is near silent, this cooler is definitely one to consider." (Steve Harris, TechPowerUp.com)
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
NH-C12P SE14 Review
Previous experiences with testing Noctua coolers have always been a pleasure and the NH-C12P SE14 is no exception. Running more silent than the original version, adding a ton of airflow to both the cooler and the motherboard, and returning excellent results in testing will make this my future recommendation for those who can’t house a full tower. For what it does I will even put it over some larger towers even if you have the room. In short, the NH-C12P SE14 delivers in every way possible.
|
||||||
|
Test verdict: "The addition of the NF-P14 fan to the NH-C12P cooler is one terrific combination of low temperatures, silence, and of course price. " (Chad Sebring, TweakTown.com)
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
NH-C12P SE14 Review
The NH-C12P SE 14 is another solid offering from Noctua. When it was compared to the other high-end heatsinks tested, it performed well by comparison, falling between the NH-U9B SE2 and the Thermalright TRUE. This is an accomplishment in itself, because when overclocked, the temperature differential between the NH-C12P SE14 and the TRUE was only four degrees Celsius. At stock speeds, the differential between the two maintained the same four degree span. This shows that as the thermal load grows, the NH-C12P SE14 keeps pace with the tower-style heatsinks.
Noctua is a company that puts plenty of thought and good, solid engineering into the products they make. A fan is just a fan, right? Wrong! Noctua takes the concept and makes it better. You get the 'Vortex Control Notches' on the fan blades, the use of SSO bearings and CNC machined brass reinforcements in the hub and bearing shell, to give the fan a longer life. Not to mention it runs quieter, with reduced vibration and higher static pressure, which kills the myth that air cooling has to be noisy.
|
||||||
|
Test verdict: " By using a 140mm fan, Noctua has upped the ante on their tried and true NH-C12P heatsink and allowed it to perform almost up to the level of some of the top-end tower-style heatsinks, while coming in at a significantly lower height. [...] The NH-C12P SE14 delivers great performance, has great looks and would be a solid alternative to the tower-style heatsinks with its low profile design that can be used where a tower style heatsink just won't fit." (Frank Dimmick, OverclockersClub.com)
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
NH-C12P SE14 Review
This fan is a niche product. It is for those who are looking to capitalize on the cooler’s dimension with respect to the case size of their computers. It can fit in chassis that can’t house a Thermalright 120 ultra eXtreme and perform just as well. In a typical HTPC case it can keep the processor cool enough without the need of its fan!
|
||||||
|
Test verdict: "If you want the best top down cooler ever made, one that performs just as well as standard tower design coolers, fits in a compact case and comes with everything you will need to set it up then stop musing and go out and get a Noctua NH-C12P SE14." (Ali Tayyab, WCCFtech.com)
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
NH-C12P SE14 Review
Kühler der österreichischen Kühlerspezialisten mit dem Steinkauz im Logo sind in unserer Redaktion stets gern gesehene Testprobanden. Noctua-Kühler wissen im Gegensatz zu Kühlern diverser anderer Hersteller schon vom ersten Moment an zu begeistern. Wie bisher alle Produkte der Österreicher zuvor auch, besticht der NH-C12P SE14 mit herausragend guter Verarbeitung, die bis ins Detail schlicht makellos ist. Die Materialien sind hochwertig, der Kühlerfuß ist penibelst poliert, die Heatpipes sauber gebogen, die Kühlfinnen mit ihren Sägezähnen präzise entgratet. Auch der als Lüfter zum Einsatz kommende NF-P14 ist aus wertigem Kunststoff gefertigt, die Materialstärke ist überzeugend, die Haptik ausgezeichnet.
Im Schatten des großen Bruders NH-C14, dem mächtigen Top-Blower mit zwei NF-P14, zeigt der NH-C12P SE14, dass er, obwohl im Spätherbst seines Produktionszyklus angelangt, eine ernstzunehmende Alternative darstellt - nicht nur zu besagtem, größeren und teureren Bruder, nicht nur zu den konkurrierenden kleinen, sondern auch zu vielen ausgewachsenen, ausladenden Tower-Kühlern, zu denen er per Definition nicht einmal in Konkurrenz steht. Die Kühlleistung allein ist als sehr gut zu bezeichnen, egal ob die automatische Lüftersteuerung des Mainboards eingreift oder wir die Drehzahl fixieren - und das in jeder Lebenslage unhörbar bis leise. Um das noch einmal herauszustreichen: Unhörbar ist der NH-C12P SE14 nur nicht, wenn wir seine Lüfterdrehzahl manuell in eine Region schieben, die wir mit unserer 125W-CPU unter automatischer Lüftersteuerung nicht in der Lage waren zu provozieren! Und selbst dann, selbst auf 1200rpm fixiert, entsteht nicht mehr als ein wahrnehmbares, aber nicht störendes Luftrauschen.
|
||||||
|
Test verdict: "Mit dem Noctua NH-C12P SE14 runden die Kühlerspezialisten aus Österreich ihr Portfolio großer Top-Blower zwischen NH-C14 und NH-L12 mehr als gelungen ab. Der in seiner Urform NH-C12P bereits mehr als sieben Jahre am Markt befindliche Kühler aus der Alpenrepublik weiß durch seine herausragende Verarbeitung, beste Materialien und schiere Liebe zum Detail ebenso zu begeistern, wie durch seine für einen Top-Blower sehr guten Kühlwerte, die er durchweg unter geringster Geräuschentwicklung erreicht." (Benedikt Weiß, ComputerForum.de)
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
NH-C12P SE14 Review
Les NH-C12 étant le petit frère du NH-C14 les performances sont donc en deçà mais il reste tout à fait apte à refroidir le core i7 tout en étant plus compact, il faudra cependant faire attention aux températures en 5v dans un boitier qui n'a pas un bon flux d'air.
|
||||||
|
Test verdict: "Est-ce que le petit frère du NH-C14 tient la route lorsqu'il s'agit de refroidir un Core i7 ? Je vous dirais que oui! Il faut prendre en compte l'usage de ce ventirad, qui est plutôt censé être utilisé dans un boitier HTPC et qui a donc des dimensions réduites par rapport aux ventirads de type Tour. Dans cet environnement là il remplira parfaitement son rôle et permettra même de refroidir les composants autour du socket." (Christian Marchini, Conseil Config)
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
NH-C12P SE14 Review
People recognize Noctua products when they see one because of the color scheme that they use on their fans and that's what makes Noctua unique from different manufactures. Noctua has gained a lot of positive recognition in the cooling market because of their exceptional CPU coolers and amazing fans. Their outstanding customer service is what sets them apart from every other manufacture.
Noctua's innovation with the NH-C12P SE14 and NH-C14 is exactly what the PC enthusiast industry needs and while these coolers might not hold the performance crown in our bench tests, they weren't designed to handle extreme overclocks in the first place. Like we said earlier, these coolers are designed for small enclosures and HTPC applications and that's where they shine. The NH-C14 was able to handle the 3770K at 4.6Ghz relatively well (under 80c) and that says a lot for a cooler that's specifically designed for small enclosures with little airflow.
|
||||||
|
Test verdict: "Overall, both the NH-C14 and the NH-C12P SE14 come packed with whisper quiet fans and come loaded with a ton of useful accessories. The NH-C14 with two fans running at full speed was inaudible while we were running the 3770K at 4.6Ghz and the same goes for its little brother. Another great thing about Noctua's products is that they come with SecuFirm2 which makes the installation process so easy that it's not even funny." (Henry Peshkepija, RelaxedTech.com)
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
NH-C12P SE14 Review
Obydwa coolery w wykonaniu Noctua
znów nas nie zawiodły. Recenzowane konstrukcje są
bardzo dobrze wykonane, a także wydajne. Chłodzenia
prezentują się fantastycznie a sama jakość
wykonania jest nienaganna, a do tego można je
zainstalować na praktycznie wszystkich dostępnych
podstawkach
|
||||||
|
Test verdict: "Obydwa coolery otrzymują zasłużoną
ocenę 4,5/5 oraz naszą rekomendacje!" (Rafał
Dryjer, PCTechReview.pl)
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
NH-C12P SE14 Review
Noctua's NH-C12P SE14 ser ret aggressiv ud, og virker ved første øjekast lidt vild med kølevinger der går helt ned til selve kølehovedet. Der er kun plads til én enkelt 120/140mm blæser, og der medfølger én 140mm som levere godt med luft til køleren. Selvom den ligger et par grader over NH-C14 er det stadig super flot klaret, og den slår stadig nogle at de andre store kølere som vi har testet.
|
||||||
|
Test verdict: "God og solid køler som levere rigtig god køling uden at støje for meget. Derudover ser den også flot ud, hvis man altså kan lide den måde den er bygget op på." (John Thorn, ElektronikTest.dk)
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
NH-C12P SE14 Review
Sve činjenice idu u prilog od dosta sitnih
dodataka koji su neophodni za montažu pa i termalne paste koju retko koji
proizvođač isporučuje u paketu sa kulerom, a i najbitnija činjenica
da je montaža veoma jednostavna, pa može biti dovoljan razlog da vas
privuče ova kupovina. Ventilator koji se isporučuje u paketu veličine
140 mm, pri normalnom radu od 12V stvara nizak stepen buke, kako bi i to smanjili
Noctua u paketu isporučuju još dva naponska adaptera od 7V i 5V čime
dodatno smanjuju stepen buke a nama pružaju razlog više za kupovinu.
Negativne stvari nismo našli i ako smo se trudili, tako da na kraju možemo
samo doneti zaključak da je ovo izvanredan proizvod za ne tako mnogo novca.
|
||||||
|
Test verdict: "NH-C12P SE14 je još jedan odličan proizvod iz Noctua-e. Ukoliko ste
tražili dovoljno jak kuler koji bi ohladio vaš procesor prilikom
overklokovanja a da ne potrošite dosta novca onda je ovo možda pravi
izbor." (Sasa Ristic, ITNetwork.rs)
|
|||||||
- INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION SHEETS (PDF)
- FAQs
- MAINBOARD COMPATIBILITY
- RAM COMPATIBILITY
- CASE COMPATIBILITY
- CPU COMPATIBILITY
Installation Manual (PDF)
Information Sheet (PDF)
FAQs
Is it possible to mount fans with a greater height than 25mm?
Can I run Noctua 3-pin fans on 4-pin PWM connectors and use my mainboard’s automatic fan controller?
Can I keep using the backplate / mounting system of my previous Noctua cooler for my new one?
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with Intel LGA2066?
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with AMD AM4 (Ryzen)?
Can I upgrade my existing Noctua cooler to socket TR4 or SP3?
How should I clean my Noctua cooler?
Can I install a Noctua cooler in my system from Acer, Dell, HP or Lenovo?
My case supports CPU coolers of up to XXXmm height, which model should I choose?
I have difficulties installing the cooler, can you help?
How much torque should be applied when tightening the screws of a Noctua CPU cooler?
My fan doesn’t spin when I start up the PC - is it faulty?
Can I use the NF-A15 fan on my Noctua CPU cooler?
In which orientation should top-flow coolers (NH-C series, NH-L12) be installed?
I've got 2 adapter cables with the cooler. What's the difference between these cables?
Can I use Noctua fans on my fan controller?
How much clearance for RAM or chipset coolers does the NH-C12P provide?
Does the cooler offer sufficient clearance for my RAM modules?
Does the cooler offer sufficient clearance for my RAM modules?
Is the cooler compatible with LGA1366 mainboards for Xeon 5500?
My mainboard has more than one set of mounting holes. Which one should I use?
I've got 2 adapter cables with the cooler. What's the difference between these cables?
Can I use Corsair Dominator RAM with the cooler?
Can I use Corsair Dominator RAM with the cooler?
The fan doesn’t start with the Ultra-Low-Noise Adaptor (ULNA)!
Is the mounting system compatible with LGA1155?
Is the cooler compatible with AMD AM3+ and FM1?
Is the cooler compatible with the Intel LGA2011 socket and Asus X-socket™?
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
Is it possible to mount fans with a greater height than 25mm?
Can I run Noctua 3-pin fans on 4-pin PWM connectors and use my mainboard’s automatic fan controller?
How can I check whether my AMD mainboard has a standard AMD backplate that’s compatible with the SecuFirm2™ mounting system and how should I proceed with the installation?
In order to proceed with the installation of your Noctua cooler, please remove the four screws and the retention module but keep the backplate in place so that you can see the screw threads from the top side of the motherboard (see third picture below). You can then proceed with the installation of the SecuFirm2™ mounting kit as described in the manual (see fourth picture below).
My unlocked Intel CPU is running too hot although my heatsink supports the specified TDP, what's the problem?
- the TDP limits are extended or disabled in the motherboards' BIOS.
- the motherboard applies automatic overclocking by default, e.g. by raising the supply voltage of the CPU and using higher Turbo-Mode multipliers.
- some software creates untypical loads, e.g. Prime95 with AVX2 support and a) and/or b) apply.
This can lead to temperature issues, especially when using smaller coolers or compact cases.
The actual power draw of the processor can be monitored with software provided by the motherboard vendor or with 3rd party tools like HWInfo or HWMonitor.
If you encounter temperature issues (>90°C) and notice a higher than specified power draw, please ensure that no automatic overclocking is applied and limit the TDP to the specified value by choosing appropriate BIOS settings.
For Kaby Lake CPUs, it may also help to lower the CPU clock speed for applications that heavily use the AVX instruction set, which can lead to higher loads and power draw. This option is usually referred to as “AVX offset” and makes it possible to lower the multiplier specifically for AVX based applications without reducing performance when using other instruction sets. Depending on the quality of the CPU and the programs being used, a reduction of 2-3 steps usually gives very good results.
Please contact your motherboard vendor for details if you have trouble finding the appropriate settings in the BIOS.
All our TDP recommendations are based on thorough testing with the default values specified by Intel using popular applications such as Asus Realbench and prime95. Please note, however, that prime95 creates a particularly high load that goes beyond typical application scenarios and this leads to elevated temperatures. We thus recommend using other programs such as Realbench for checking the stability and temperatures of the CPU in realistic scenarios.
Can I keep using the backplate / mounting system of my previous Noctua cooler for my new one?
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with Intel LGA2066?
Due to the heatsink mounting mechanism being identical on LGA2011 and LGA2066, Noctua’s SecuFirm2™ mounting systems for LGA2011 also support Intel’s upcoming ‘Basin Falls’ X299 HEDT (High End Desktop) platform for ‘Skylake-X’ and ‘Kaby Lake-X’ processors. Most current Noctua coolers already include SecuFirm2™ mounting systems for LGA2011 and can thus be used on LGA2066 motherboards without any upgrades or modifications.
The following models include a mounting-kit for socket LGA2011/2066 and are thus compatible out of the box:
NH-C14S
NH-D14 SE2011
NH-D15
NH-D15S
NH-D9L
NH-L12
NH-L9x65
NH-U12S
NH-U12DX i4
NH-U14S
NH-U9DX i4
NH-U9S
The following models can be made compatible with the LGA2011/LGA2066 sockets free of charge using the NM-I2011 upgrade-kit:
NH-C12P
NH-C12P SE14
NH-C14
NH-D14
NH-D15 SE-AM4
NH-U12S SE-AM4
NH-L9x65 SE-AM4
NH-U12
NH-U12F
NH-U12P
NH-U12P SE1366
NH-U12P SE2
NH-U9
NH-U9B
NH-U9B SE2
NH-U9F
The following models can be made compatible with the LGA2011/LGA2066 sockets using the NM-I2011 upgrade-kit but are not eligible for Noctua‘s free mounting offer, so users have to purchase the kit at local resellers:
NH-U12DO (Note that the A3 version is not compatible!)
NH-U12DX
NH-U12DX 1366
NH-U9DX 1366
NH-U9DO (Note that the A3 version is not compatible!)
The following models are not compatible with the LGA2011/LGA2066 sockets and can not be upgraded:
NH-L9a
NH-L9i
NH-U12DO A3
NH-U9DO A3
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with AMD AM4 (Ryzen)?
NH-D15 (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-D15 SE-AM4
NH-D15S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U14S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U12S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U12S SE-AM4
NH-U9S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-D9L (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-C14S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-L12S
NH-L9x65 (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-L9x65 SE-AM4
NH-L9a-AM4
The following models can be made compatible with the AM4 socket free of charge using the NM-AM4 upgrade-kit:
NH-C12P
NH-C12P SE14
NH-C14
NH-C14S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-D14
NH-D14 SE2011
NH-D15 (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-D15S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-D9L (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-L12
NH-L9x65 (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U12
NH-U12F
NH-U12P
NH-U12P SE1366
NH-U12P SE2
NH-U9
NH-U9B
NH-U9B SE2
NH-U9F
The following models can be made compatible with the AM4 socket free of charge using the NM-AM4-UxS upgrade-kit:
NH-U14S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U12S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U9S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
The following models can be made compatible with the AM4 socket free of charge using the NM-AM4-L9aL9i upgrade-kit:
NH-L9a
NH-L9i
The following models can be made compatible with the AM4 socket using the NM-AM4 upgrade-kit but are not eligible for Noctua‘s free mounting offer, so users have to purchase the kit at local resellers:
NH-U12DO (Note that the A3 version is not compatible!)
NH-U12DX
NH-U12DX 1366
NH-U12DX i4
NH-U9DX i4
NH-U9DX 1366
NH-U9DO (Note that the A3 version is not compatible!)
The following models are not compatible with the AM4 socket and can not be upgraded:
NH-U14S TR4-SP3
NH-U12S TR4-SP3
NH-U9 TR4-SP3
NH-U12DO A3
NH-U9 DO A3
Can I upgrade my existing Noctua cooler to socket TR4 or SP3?
How should I clean my Noctua cooler?
Thermal paste residues: Whenever you take off the heatsink from the CPU, we recommend to clean the CPU as well as the base of the cooler before re-applying thermal paste and re-installing the cooler. You can either just wipe the base and the CPU clean with a dry, lint-free tissue or, for more thorough cleaning, use a lint-free tissue moistened with either a mild solution of washing-up liquid or isopropyl alcohol. Do not put the cooler or CPU under running water. Note that both the base of the heatsink and the CPU should be dry, free from residues of thermal compound and free from grease before re-applying thermal paste and re-installing the cooler.
What Thermal Design Power (TDP) is this cooler recommended for and how much Watt (W) of heat can it dissipate?
Can I install a Noctua cooler in my system from Acer, Dell, HP or Lenovo?
Systems from Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo or other major brands often use motherboards which differ slightly from the specifications issued by Intel and AMD. While those changes are usually subtle, they can lead to compatibility issues with coolers that were built to comply with these specifications.
Even in case the cooler is mechanically compatible and can be installed, other issues can occur, e.g. proprietary fan connectors, BIOS errors due to a low fan speed, shutdowns, etc. Some of these problems can be avoided with some technical knowledge, but especially BIOS related issues can often not be resolved.
Due to the large number of possible issues that cannot be resolved with different mounting parts alone, Noctua does not officially support systems from Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo or other major brands.
My case supports CPU coolers of up to XXXmm height, which model should I choose?
I have difficulties installing the cooler, can you help?
How much torque should be applied when tightening the screws of a Noctua CPU cooler?
| Screw type | Max. torque |
|---|---|
| NM-SSC1 screws for fixing the fastening brackets to the base of the heatsink | 0.5 Nm |
| NM-ITS1 thumb screws for fixing Intel mounting bars | 0.5 Nm |
| NM-ALS1 screws for fixing AMD mounting bars | 0.6 Nm |
| Spring-loaded screws for fixing the heatsink to the mounting bars | 0.6 Nm |
How can I determine if the motherboard’s UEFI BIOS is overclocking my processor by default and deactivate this automatic overclocking?
Most motherboard vendors allow their overclocking-enabled products (e.g. those with Intels X- or Z-series chipsets) to run the processor at increased clock speeds by default, without requiring any user action at all. Since TDP (Thermal Design Power) limits are usually also disabled by default, this leads to the CPU exceeding the rated TDP to a varying degree, depending on the used applications and their workloads. Due to the increased heat output of the CPU, you may see higher CPU temperatures than expected.
In order to find out if your motherboard is overclocking your processor by default, please enter the UEFI BIOS and select the “advanced” or “overclocking” menu. There you should be able to find options such as “MultiCore Enhancement” (options: enabled/disabled), “CPU Ratio Apply Mode” (options: all/per core) or similar. To disable the automatic overclocking, adjust the settings either to “disabled” or “per core” and make sure that the individual multipliers match the original specifications.
In doubt, please contact your motherboard vendor for detailed instructions on how to disable this feature.
Why is my Ryzen 3000 processor getting so hot? Why are Ryzen 3000 CPUs running hotter than previous generation Ryzen CPUs with the same TDP rating? Is there anything wrong with my cooler?
The latest Ryzen 3000 processors (except APU models) differ from previous Ryzen generations in that they are no longer based on a single, large chip but use a multi-chip approach with smaller chips instead. Depending on the exact model there can be one (6 and 8-core models) or two (12 and 16-core models) actual CPU-Dies (CCD) on the package. Each processor also uses an I/O-Die (IOD), which contains things like the memory controller, PCIe controller, connections to the motherboard chipset and other functions.
Because of this design change and the switch to a smaller 7nm manufacturing process, the heat distribution of the overall processor is much different from older 14nm and 12nm based single-chip Ryzen processors with a similar power draw.
Depending on the exact CPU model, its specified TDP value and possibly extended power limits (precision boost overdrive), a single CPU-die can create a heatload of up to 130W easily, whereas the I/O-die usually creates a heatload of about 10W. Due to the small size of the CPU-die, the heat density (W/mm²) of this chip is very high. For example, a 120W heatload at a chip-size of 74mm² results in a heat-density of 1.62W/mm², whereas the same heatload on an older Ryzen processor with a chip-size of 212mm² gives a heat-density of just 0.57W/mm².
This large difference in heat-density is the reason why newer Ryzen 3000 processors become much warmer at similar heatloads than their predecessors.
Furthermore, Ryzen 3000 CPUs are using the rated temperature headroom (up to 95°C) quite aggressively in order to reach higher boost clocks. As a result, it is absolutely no problem and not alarming if the processor runs into this temperature limit. The clock speed and supply voltage will be adjusted automatically by the processor itself in order to remain within AMD’s specifications and to prevent overheating.
Due to the higher heat density, higher thermal limits and more aggressive boost clock usage, it is perfectly normal that Ryzen 3000 CPUs are reaching higher temperatures than previous generation Ryzen CPUs with the same TDP rating. Higher CPU temperatures are normal for Ryzen 3000 processors and not a sign of that there is anything wrong with the CPU cooler.
My fan doesn’t spin when I start up the PC - is it faulty?
Can I use the NF-A15 fan on my Noctua CPU cooler?
In which orientation should top-flow coolers (NH-C series, NH-L12) be installed?
I've got 2 adapter cables with the cooler. What's the difference between these cables?
Can I use Noctua fans on my fan controller?
How much clearance for RAM or chipset coolers does the NH-C12P provide?
Does the cooler offer sufficient clearance for my RAM modules?
Does the cooler offer sufficient clearance for my RAM modules?
Is the cooler compatible with LGA1366 mainboards for Xeon 5500?
My mainboard has more than one set of mounting holes. Which one should I use?
I've got 2 adapter cables with the cooler. What's the difference between these cables?
Can I use Corsair Dominator RAM with the cooler?
Can I use Corsair Dominator RAM with the cooler?
The fan doesn’t start with the Ultra-Low-Noise Adaptor (ULNA)!
Is the mounting system compatible with LGA1155?
Is the cooler compatible with AMD AM3+ and FM1?
Is the cooler compatible with the Intel LGA2011 socket and Asus X-socket™?
Please also note that the cooler is fully compatible with Asus Rampage IV series LGA2011 motherboards that feature Asus X-socket™. Asus X-socket™ models use an interchangeable backplate that makes it possible to install LGA1366 heatsinks, so the cooler is fully compatible with these mainboards out of the box and does not require any upgrades to be installed.
In order to install the cooler on Asus X-socket™ mainboards, please first remove the mainboard’s LGA2011 backplate and install the LGA1366 backplate supplied with the mainboard instead (see the mainboard manual for detailed instructions). Then install the Noctua cooler as described in the supplied installation manual for LGA1366. In case you’ve lost the printed installation manual, you can download it here.
The cooler's fans always run at full speed and can not be controlled by my motherboard, what's the problem?
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
Do you have a question concerning one of our products? Please use this form to pose a question!
