Which Noctua 120mm CPU cooler should I choose? How do the NH-U12A, NH-D12L, NH-U12S and NH-U12S redux compare against each other?
Installation Manual (PDF)
Information Sheet (PDF)
NH-D12L chromax.black
The NH-D12L chromax.black is an all-black version of Noctua’s award-winning NH-D12L low-height 120mm class CPU cooler that has been conceived to combine outstanding quiet cooling performance with superior case compatibility. At a height of only 145mm (13mm lower than Noctua’s regular 120mm models), it fits many 4U enclosures as well as narrower tower cases that have been previously limited to solutions with 92mm fans. At the same time, its five heatpipe dual-tower design and state-of-the-art NF-A12x25r 120mm fan allow it to achieve a level of efficiency that surpasses many full-height 120mm models. Thanks to its single-fan configuration and asymmetrical fin stacks, the NH-D12L provides 100% RAM compatibility on AMD AM5/AM4 and Intel LGA1851/1700/1200 by staying clear of the memory slots. Topped off with the renowned SecuFirm2™ mounting system, Noctua’s award-winning NT-H1 thermal compound and a 6-year manufacturer’s warranty, the NH-D12L is the perfect choice for applications that require serious cooling performance but cannot fit the larger NH-U12A.
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Details
Award-winning NH-D12L cooler
The NH-D12L has proven in countless tests that it can keep up with larger 120mm coolers despite its reduced height. Its winning combination of excellent performance and extended case compatibility has earned the NH-D12L awards and recommendations from more than 50 hardware websites and magazines across the world.
chromax.black design
The NH-D12L chromax.black is black from head to toe: featuring a black coated heatsink, a black fan with black anti-vibration pads, black fan clips and black mounting parts, it’s right at home in all-black builds and easy to integrate with other colour schemes.
145mm height for broader case compatibility
While Noctua’s regular 120mm CPU coolers stand 158mm tall, the NH-D12L measures only 145mm. This allows it to fit not only a wide range of 4U rackmount server cases and many tower-style enclosures that are not wide enough for 158mm units, but also some larger Small Form Factor (SFF) and Mini-ITX chassis.
More performance at lower height
Despite its reduced height, the NH-D12L easily outperforms 92mm coolers. It can even surpass renowned 120mm units such as the NH-U12S and often comes close to Noctua’s award-winning 120mm flagship model NH-U12A.
Round-frame NF-A12x25r PWM fan
Introduced in 2018, Noctua’s NF-A12x25 is widely considered to be the best 120mm fan on the market. The round-frame variant used on the NH-D12L provides the same renowned quiet cooling performance yet makes it possible to reduce overall cooler height without risking compatibility issues with tall motherboard heatsinks or shrouds.
100% RAM compatibility on LGA1851/1700/1200 and AM5/AM4
In its standard orientation (blowing towards the I/O panel), the NH-D12L does not overhang the RAM slots on Intel LGA1851/LGA1700/LGA1200/LGA115x and AMD AM5/AM4 based motherboards due to its asymmetric design. This ensures easy access to the installed modules and 100% compatibility with DIMMs that feature tall heat-spreaders or RGB lighting.
PWM support and Low-Noise Adaptors
The NF-A12x25r 120mm fan supplied with the NH-D12L supports PWM for convenient automatic speed control through the motherboard: full performance under load, virtually silent at idle! In addition, the maximum fan speed can be reduced from 2000 to 1700rpm using the supplied Low-Noise Adaptor for even quieter operation.
SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting system
Noctua’s SecuFirm2™ mounting systems have become synonymous with quality, safety and easy installation. Supporting Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA115x (LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156) and AMD AM5 and AM4, the SecuFirm2™ mounting included with the NH-D12L is straightforward to install, provides perfect contact pressure and will stand the test of time even under heavy use.
Offset mounting option for AMD AM5
The NH-D12L chromax.black includes Noctua’s offset mounting bars for AM5 that make it possible to install the cooler shifted towards the south side of the socket by 7mm, thereby achieving better contact quality right above the CCD(s). This improved contact exactly at the processor’s hotspot can significantly reduce CPU temperatures with typical improvements in the range of 1-3°C.
Compatibility with past and future sockets
Thanks to Noctua’s SecuFirm™ ecosystem, the NH-D12L chromax.black can be made compatible with the older LGA2066, LGA2011, LGA1366 and LGA775 sockets using the optional NM-i20xx and NM-I3 mounting kits, which are provided free of charge on request. If technically possible, Noctua will also provide upgrade kits for future sockets, which makes the NH-D12L a safe long-term investment.
NT-H1 thermal compound
Noctua's much-acclaimed NT-H1 is a pro-grade TIM solution that provides minimum thermal resistance, excellent ease of use and outstanding reliability. Chosen again and again by overclockers and enthusiast users worldwide, it has established itself as a benchmark for premium-quality thermal compounds.
Soldered interface between heatpipes and fins
With many heatsinks, the fins are press-fitted to the heatpipes. Due to the different thermal expansion coefficients of copper and aluminium, this fit can loosen over years of thermal cycling, which may lead to reduced performance. By contrast, the NH-D12L’s fins are soldered to the heatpipes in order to guarantee a superior thermal interface that doesn’t deteriorate even after many years of usage.
6-year manufacturer’s warranty
Noctua products are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity. True to this legacy, the NH-D12L heatsink is built to last, and like all Noctua fans, the supplied NF-A12x25r features an MTTF rating of more than 150,000 hours. The entire package comes with a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Product Details
Notes and warnings
Cooler Specification
Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150 and AMD AM5, AM4
Height (without fan)
145 mm
Width (without fan)
125 mm
Depth (without fan)
113 mm
Weight (without fan)
700 g
Height (with fan)
145 mm
Width (with fan)
125 mm
Depth (with fan)
113 mm
Weight (with fan)
890 g
Material
Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating
148
Max. TDP
see NSPR
Fan compatibility
NF-A12x25r (square-frame 120mm fans not supported)
Scope of delivery
- Black NH-D12L heatsink
- NF-A12x25r PWM chromax.black premium fan
- NA-RC14 Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A)
- NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound
- Black SecuFirm2™ mounting kit
- Noctua metal case-badge
6 Years
FAN Specification
Model
Noctua NF-A12x25r PWM chromax.black
Bearing
Max. rotational speed (+/- 10%)
2000 RPM
Max. rotational speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%)
1700 RPM
Min. rotational speed @ 20% PWM (+/-20%)
450 RPM
102,1 m³/h
Max. acoustical noise
22,6 dB(A)
Max. acoustical noise with L.N.A.
18,8 dB(A)
84.5 m³/h
Acoustical noise
22.6 dB(A)
Input power (typical)
1.2 W
Input power (max.)
1.68 W
Voltage range
12 V
MTTF
> 150.000 h
NT-H2 10g- Further improved second generation of the award-winning NT-H1 with even better thermal performance
- Not electrically conductive and non-corroding
- Excellent long-term stability (usage time on the CPU up to 5 years)
- 10g pack for around 9-60 applications (depending on CPU size, e.g. ~9 applications for TR4, ~60 for LGA1151)
NT-H2 3.5g- Further improved second generation of the award-winning NT-H1 with even better thermal performance
- Not electrically conductive and non-corroding
- Excellent long-term stability (usage time on the CPU up to 5 years)
- 3.5g pack for around 3-20 applications (depending on CPU size, e.g. ~3 applications for TR4, ~20 for LGA1151)
NA-STPG1- Thermal Paste Guard and Cleaning Set for AMD AM5 CPUs
- Pack contains 10 individually packed wipes
NM-M1-MP78 chromax.black mounting kit- Torx®-based mounting upgrade kit for Noctua CPU coolers with 78mm mounting pitch
- Compatible with the latest AMD Ryzen (AM5 & AM4) and Intel Core sockets (LGA8151, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156)
- Offset mounting option for AMD AM5
- NM-SD1 Torx® T20 screwdriver included
NM-i20xx Mounting-Kit- The NM-i20xx SecuFirm2™ Mounting-Kit makes Noctua CPU coolers compatible with Intel's LGA2011 and LGA2066 sockets.
NM-I3 Mounting-Kit- The NM-I3 SecuFirm2™ Mounting-Kit makes Noctua CPU coolers compatible with Intel's LGA775 & LGA1366 sockets.
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