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The NH-L12S is a low-profile quiet cooler designed for use in Small Form Factor cases and HTPC environments. While it provides first-rate performance in its class, it is not suitable for overclocking and should be used with care on CPUs with more than 95W TDP (Thermal Design Power). Please consult our CPU compatibility list and TDP guidelines to find out whether the NH-L12S is recommended for your CPU. |
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Based on the award-winning NH-L12
Having received more than 200 awards and recommendations from leading international hardware websites and magazines, the NH-L12 has become an established reference for low-profile 120mm top-flow coolers. Equipped with the new NF-A12x15 fan, the new S-version provides more flexibility and improved performance in low-profile mode.
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Low-profile mode
Run with the NF-A12x15 fan installed underneath the fin stack, the NH-L12S stands only 70mm tall. The fan can be installed blowing upwards or blowing downwards in order to match the airflow direction inside the case.
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High-clearance mode
Run with the NF-A12x15 fan installed on top, the NH-L12S provides extended clearance underneath the fin stack. This way, it is fully compatible with chipset coolers and RAM modules with heat-spreaders of up to 48mm in height (vs. 35mm in low-profile mode).
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NF-A12x15 slim 120mm premium fan
Featuring sophisticated aerodynamic optimisations such as Flow Acceleration Channels, the NF-A12x15 is a premium-grade slim 120mm fan. Its outstanding efficiency allows the NH-L12S to provide even better performance than the previous model with its 92mm fan.
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120x25mm fan support
The fan clips supplied with the NH-L12S work not only with the slim NF-A12x15 fan but also with 25mm thick 120mm fans. Users who have extra room inside their cases can thus boost the cooler’s performance by using a standard 120x25mm fan on top (increases total height to 95mm).
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SecuFirm2™ mounting system
Noctua's SecuFirm2™ mounting systems have become synonymous with quality, safety and ease of use. Supporting Intel LGA115x (LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156), LGA2011 (LGA2011-0 & LGA2011-3), LGA2066 and AMD (AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, AM4, FM1, FM2, FM2+), the SecuFirm2™ mounting included with the NH-L12S guarantees perfect contact pressure and maximum convenience on all current sockets.
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Compatibility with past and future sockets
Complying with the open SecuFirm™ standard, the cooler can be made compatible with the older LGA1366 and LGA775 sockets using the optional NM-I3 mounting kit, which is provided by Noctua free of charge. If technically possible, Noctua will also provide upgrade kits for future sockets.
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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.
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6-year manufacturer’s warranty
Noctua products are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity. Like all Noctua fans, the supplied NF-A12x15 features an MTTF rating of more than 150,000 hours and the entire NH-L12S package comes with a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty.
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Notes and warnings
The NH-L12S is a low-profile quiet cooler designed for use in Small Form Factor cases and HTPC environments. While it provides first-rate performance in its class, it is not suitable for overclocking and should be used with care on CPUs with more than 95W TDP (Thermal Design Power). Please consult our CPU compatibility list and TDP guidelines to find out whether the NH-L12S is recommended for your CPU.
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Intel LGA2066, LGA2011-0 & LGA2011-3 (Square ILM), LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150 & AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, AM4, FM1, FM2, FM2+ (backplate required)
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Height (without fan)
70 mm
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Width (without fan)
128 mm
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Depth (without fan)
146 mm
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Weight (without fan)
390 g
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Height (with fan)
70 mm
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Width (with fan)
128 mm
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Depth (with fan)
146 mm
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Weight (with fan)
520 g
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Material
Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating
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Max. TDP
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Fan compatibility
120x120x15 & 120x120x25
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Scope of delivery
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6 Years
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Model
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Bearing
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Max. rotational speed (+/- 10%)
1850 RPM
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Max. rotational speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%)
1400 RPM
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Min. rotational speed (PWM, +/-20%)
450 RPM
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94,2 m³/h
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Max. acoustical noise
23,9 dB(A)
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Max. acoustical noise with L.N.A.
16,8 dB(A)
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Input power
1,56 W
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Voltage range
12 V
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MTTF
> 150.000 h
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NH-L12S Review
In dieser Gegenüberstellung zeigt der Noctua NH-L12S einen merklichen Abstand zu den anderen Top-Blow-Vertretern. Bereits im Low-Profile-Modus mit unter dem Kühlkörper montiertem Lüfter sorgt er für eine kühlere CPU bei geringerem Lärmpegel. Wird der Ventilator auf dem Kühlkörper befestigt, so kommt er sogar dem Tower-Kühler Cryorig H7 nahe.
Ein Aufschließen zu noch größeren Luft- oder gar Wasserkühlern kann von dem kleinen Kühler schlicht nicht erwartet werden. Die Physik lässt sich nicht austricksen: Hohe Kühlleistung bei vertretbarem Lärmpegel kann nur durch eine große Fläche erreicht werden. Zusammenfassend lässt sich für den NH-L12S sagen, dass er für seine Größenkategorie beeindruckend stark agiert.
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Test verdict: "Noctua hat mit dem NH-L12S einen potenten Prozessorkühler für Mini-ITX-Systeme im Angebot. Er überzeugt mit makelloser Verarbeitung, einem sehr laufruhigen Ventilator und einer – gemessen an der Bauhöhe – sehr guten Kühlleistung. Die Ausstattung sowie das Montagesystem überzeugen ebenfalls." (Thomas Böhm, ComputerBase.de)
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NH-L12S Review
La qualité de fabrication tout autant que la finition sont une priorité chez Noctua, ce qui permet à la marque de garantir ses produits sur 6 ans et le NH-L12S ne déroge pas à la règle.
Le bundle est toujours aussi bien fourni avec notamment la seringue de pâte thermique NT-H1, le tournevis cruciforme et un adaptateur LNA qui va limiter la vitesse de rotation maximale à 1400 tr/min au lieu des 1850 tr/min du NF-A12x15.
Sans oublier une compatibilité à l’ensemble des Sockets dont le dernier en date avec le Socket AM4.
Bien que le texte soit en anglais, la notice de montage est très claire et il est fort simple d’installer le NH-L12S sur la carte mère. Une simplicité qui perdure depuis un bon moment chez Noctua et quand cela rime avec l’efficacité pourquoi changer de processus.
Nous pouvons sans problème monter le ventirad avec la ventilateur en place sous le plateau du radiateur.
La présence du NF-A12x15 favorise le faible niveau sonore du NH-L12S. Ce n’est qu’en le poussant au maximum qu’il se fera entendre, mais cela reste discret voire même cela se fond dans le bruit ambiant du boitier.
Du coté des performances de refroidissement, les résultats sont tout à fait convenables ne laissant que deux petits degrés face à son homologue au format tour qu’est le NH-U12S. Ce qui est fort appréciable c’est que même à faible vitesse, le ventirad ne décroche pas.
Certes dès que le processeur est overclocké, il est un peu moins performant mais continue à faire son job dans de bonnes conditions. Mais comme Noctua l’a spécifié sur son site, ce n’est pas son terrain de prédilection.
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Test verdict: "70 mm : tel est le principal argument du Noctua NH-L12S.
Avec une telle hauteur, il pourra se glisser dans une très grande majorité des boîtiers HTPC ou mini boîtiers SFF, dont notamment certains où le bloc d’alimentation est positionné juste au-dessus du Socket." (Bertrand Curras, modding.fr)
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NH-L12S Review
Taking everything into consideration, we’ve been impressed beyond belief with the Noctua NH-L12S, by all means, the heatsink should not have handled a 130W CPU, one of the most power-hungry CPUs of recent years, at that.
The acoustics took a bit of a hit when fully stressed, but this situation is completely artificial and shows an extreme “worst case scenario.” It’s not really representative of what the cooler is designed to do, so we can’t be too critical.
Regarding its compact size, the CPU cooler should fit within most small-form-factor machines making this ideal for HTPCs and small gaming desktops. Speaking of which, if your PC features a tempered glass or Perspex side panel, you may not find the brown fan to be all that appealing.
Noctua’s reputation of producing class-leading cooling equipment has yet again made an appearance, with the NH-L12S going above and beyond what was expected of it and holding its own. In anything other than stress tests and constant, intensive workloads, the heatsink would be capable of removing that heat.
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Test verdict: "If you require a small, compact cooler from a reputable, well-known manufacturer, with performance to boot, the Noctua NH-L12S will not disappoint. Guaranteed." (Matthew Hodgson, Vortez.net)
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NH-L12S Review
Noctua selbst ist bei der Charakterisierung des NH-L12S eher zurückhaltend. Der Kühler wird speziell für SFF- und HTPC-Gehäuse und Prozessoren mit maximal 95 Watt TDP sowie den Betrieb mit Standardtakt empfohlen. Und natürlich bietet sich der flache Top-Blow-Kühler in erster Linie für solche Einsatzzwecke an. Doch gerade mit Blick auf die Kühlleistung kann er durchaus überraschen.
Weil Noctua die beiden Lüfter des Vorgängers durch einen einzelnen, aber besonders schmalen 120-mm-Lüfter ersetzt, ist der NH-L12S bemerkenswert vielseitig. Je nach Bedarf kann er ober- oder unterhalb der Kühlrippen montiert werden. So bleibt etwas mehr Platz für Speicher. Der Serienlüfter überzeugt mit einem breiten Drehzahlbereich und dem flüsterleisen Betrieb im unteren Drehzahlbereich. Selbst bei Maximaldrehzahl bleibt die Lautstärke aber noch in einem relativ vertretbaren Rahmen.
Schon mit dem flachen Serienlüfter kühlt der NH-L12S ganz respektabel und besser als manches ähnlich aufgebaute Konkurrenzmodell. Die Kontrollmessungen mit unserem Noctua-Referenzlüfter zeigen aber, dass die Kühlleistung durch Lüfter normaler Bauhöhe sogar noch gesteigert werden kann. Insgesamt hat der Top-Blow-Kühler kein Problem damit, den Core i7-4790K auf Standardtakt zu kühlen - und das auch mit moderater Drehzahl und geringer Lautstärke.
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Test verdict: "Wer einen platzsparenden und hochwertigen Top-Blow-Kühler mit vergleichsweise guter Kühlleistung sucht, der ist beim Noctua NH-L12S genau richtig. Weil wir zudem kaum Kritikpunkte haben, verdient er sich auch unseren Excellent-Hardware-Award." (Philipp Moosdorf, Hardwareluxx.de)
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NH-L12S Review
With the NH-L9a-AM4 there are almost no other options this thin in the first place, so just being able to find a heatsink this thin that can run high-end CPUs at all is great. Then with the NH-L12S, well it ends up being a great performer in that sub 80mm range. With both of them it is very dependent on the space you have in your SFF build. I wouldn’t run the NH-L9a-AM4 if I could fit one of the better performing taller coolers or the NH-L12S if I could get a larger heatsink or an AIO in. But in their specific size requirements, both have great performance in both cooling and noise.
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Test verdict: "in their specific size requirements, both have great performance in both cooling and noise." (Wes Compton, LanOC.org)
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NH-L12S Review
Moving over to the NH-L12S, we see a 7C reduction in the idle temperature, and a whopping 13C cooler under load, topping out at just 58C. The more dramatic difference here was the fan speed… at idle is sat at just 300rpm, without the ups and downs observed on the Wraith. The Noctua also only had to spin at 900rpm to keep our 2400G at 58C under load.
Overclocking the 2400G to 3.95GHz @ 1.40v, we see the Wraith’s idle temperature shoot up to 60C, with the fan spinning at 1150rpm. Even at idle, the fan was audible from across the room, and certainly not something I’d want to listen to in my living room. Under load, it managed to keep the temps acceptable at 74C, but spinning at its max of 1850rpm to hold that.
The NH-L12S again impresses for both thermals and noise. Idle temps matched stock speeds at 36C, and full load went from 58 to 64C, at only 1050rpm. Again, from idle to full load, there was no noticeable noise increase sitting right next to the case.
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Test verdict: "If you are looking for near-silent operation, and a happier marriage, I would definitely recommend the NH-L12S for you." (Jeff Soleim, Modders-Inc.com)
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NH-L12S Review
Η κατασκευάστρια, με την NH L12S, επιχειρεί να απαντήσει σε ένα πολύ συγκεκριμένο και δύσκολο πρόβλημα:
Πώς, με το ελάχιστο δυνατό ύψος, θα παρέχει ικανοποιητική ψύξη, τόσο, σε ένα επεξεργαστή μέσης ισχύος , όσο και στα περιμετρικά του socket εξαρτήματα.
Πρώτο βήμα στη λύση είναι ο νέος ανεμιστήρας των 120mm, ο οποίος παρά το μόλις 15mm πάχος του, αποδεικνύεται αυτό που ακριβώς χρειάζονται για να αποβάλουν τη σχεδιασμένη θερμική ισχύ, τα περιορισμένα σε μόλις 20mm ύψος πτερύγια.
Δεύτερο βήμα, τα ίδια τα heat pipes, τα οποία, τόσο με την καλή εκμετάλλευση της επιφάνειας του ψυκτικού σώματος της ψύκτρας, όσο και με την εντυπωσιακά χαμηλή θερμοκρασία ενεργοποίησής τους (η ψύκτρα ήδη από τους ~23 oC αρχίζει να λειτουργεί! ), δίνουν στην ψύκτρα ένα εξαιρετικό συνδυασμό μεγέθους και θερμικού αποτελέσματος!
Σε αυτό το τεχνικό υπόβαθρο προστίθεται ένα εξαιρετικό σύστημα στήριξης και η γνωστή κορυφαία ποιότητα κατασκευής και ο ευτυχής κάτοχος έχει μια ψύκτρα που χωρά άνετα στο -ακόμα και μικρό- HTPC / PC του, αλλά δεν μένει εκεί, καθώς οι μεγάλες διαφορές βρίσκονται στις αισθητά χαμηλότερες θερμοκρασίες και κυρίως στον πολύ χαμηλότερο θόρυβο!
Εκείνος όμως που πραγματικά θα βρει στην Noctua NH L12S την ιδανική λύση, είναι ο απαιτητικός χρήστης που θέλει το μικρό-μεσαίο σύστημά του, να είναι αθόρυβο στην πράξη και όχι στα "χαρτιά"! Αυτός, εκμεταλλευόμενος τον εξαιρετικό ανεμιστήρα θα έχει το dead silent που επιθυμεί, χωρίς να υπονομεύει το σύστημά του με αυξημένες θερμοκρασίες!
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Test verdict: "Αν έχετε ένα HTPC, ή ένα μέσης ισχύος PC και ψάχνετε για νέα αθόρυβη και αποτελεσματική ψύκτρα, εξετάστε τη πρόταση της Noctua, κατά πάσα πιθανότητα η αναζήτησή σας ολοκληρώνεται στην NH L12S !" (Stelios Petousakis, TheLab.gr)
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NH-L12S Review
Il Noctua NH-L9a AM4 ha centrato in pieno lo scopo per il quale è stato progettato, ovvero quello di garantire un'efficiente dissipazione nei sistemi compatti come server, workstation e HTPC estremamente compatti. Ci troviamo di fronte ad un dissipatore ad aria di fascia alta dal costo di circa 40€.
Pro:
Eccellente qualità costruttiva e materiali;
Design semplice ed estremamente compatto per la massima compatibilità;
Ottima ventola in dotazione (NF-A9x14 PWM);
Massima silenziosità;
Buone prestazioni (certificazione per l’utilizzo in abbinamento a CPU con TDP massimo di 65W);
Bundle completo;
Generosa base di contatto in rame nichelato;
Tecnologie proprietarie di altissimo livello;
6 ani di garanzia;
Facilità d'installazione grazie alla variante custom del sistema di montaggio proprietario SecuFirm2 (esclusivamente su piattaforma AMD AM4).
Contro:
Nulla da segnalare.
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Il Noctua NH-L12S è nientemeno che una versione revisionata del pluripremiato NH-L12, da tempo sul mercato. Al pari del predecessore anche questo nuovo modello sfrutta un design “Type-L” con heatpipes appositamente lavorate e sagomate in maniera da ricreare una forma ad “U” orizzontale, aspetto che lo rende estremamente compatto ed idoneo all’utilizzo anche all’interno di sistemi dal fattore di forma ridotto, come ad esempio gli HTPC, senza per questo rinunciare ad ottime performance in termini di dissipazione del calore (il produttore ne certifica l’uso in abbinamento a microprocessori con TDP massimo pari a 95W).
A differenza del più piccolo L9a AM4 viene garantita la piena compatibilità con tutte le più diffuse piattaforme Intel (LGA-115x e LGA-20xx) e AMD (AMx e FMx), comprendendo tutto il necessario per procedere all’installazione. Il prezzo di listino si attesta sui 50€ IVA compresa, risultando interessante vista la sua qualità e le sue più che soddisfacenti prestazioni.
Pro:
Eccellente qualità costruttiva e materiali;
Design compatto (basato sul pluripremiato NH-L12) per la massima compatibilità;
Compatibilità garantita con le più diffuse piattaforme Intel (LGA-115x/LGA-20xx) e AMD (AMx/FMx);
Ottima ventola in dotazione (NF-A12x15 PWM);
Massima silenziosità;
Buone prestazioni (certificazione per l’utilizzo in abbinamento a CPU con TDP massimo di 95W);
Bundle completo;
Generosa base di contatto in rame nichelato;
Tecnologie proprietarie di altissimo livello;
6 ani di garanzia;
Facilità d'installazione grazie al sistema di montaggio proprietario SecuFirm2.
Contro:
Nulla da segnalare.
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Test verdict: "Noctua ci ha abituati a prodotti contraddistinti da un rapporto tra qualità e prestazioni senza eguali, indiscutibilmente ai vertici del settore. Non fanno ovviamente eccezione le ultime soluzioni di raffreddamento ad aria a basso profilo recentemente presentate e osservate nel corso di questo articolo, espressamente pensate per l’utilizzo all’interno di sistemi di dimensioni estremamente compatte, nelle quali l’ingombro della soluzione di raffreddamento ricopre un ruolo di fondamentale importanza, al pari delle performance dissipanti e della rumorosità." (Antonio Delli Santi, hwlegend.com)
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NH-L12S Review
NOCTUA L9A AM4 představuje maximální kompaktnost. Není sice výkonově a hlučností lepší než BOX Wraith SPIRE chladič, který dnes AMD používá, ale je ještě menší, a hlavně 2x nižší, což se může někomu hodit. I když i v malých skříních je obvykle místa dost i na těch 85mm, co má stále poměrně nízký Wraith Spire. L9a-AM4 je v podstatě extrémní řešení, kde jde o co nejmenší rozměry při solidním výkonu i nízké hlučnosti a maximálně kvalitním zpracování. Za to prostě platíte.
NOCTUA L12S pak představuje velmi výkonné a velmi kompaktní řešení, kde když můžete, tak s ventilátorem zespodu a 70mm na výšku je skvělým chladičem do ITX sestav. Samozřejmě při špičkovém zpracování a nízké hlučnosti. Cena pak není vůbec špatná a celkově je to jeden z nejzajímavějších klasických nízko-profilových chladičů na trhu.
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Test verdict: "Cena pak není vůbec špatná a celkově je to jeden z nejzajímavějších klasických nízko-profilových chladičů na trhu. Ocenění tedy zasloužené." (Jan Stach, DDWorld.cz)
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NH-L12S Review
Dans notre test nous avons utilisé un processeur avec un TDP dans les limites hautes préconisées par Noctua, il s'en sort très bien, nous avons même été en mesure de pousser notre processeur en overclocking et dans ce cas nous sommes bien hors des limites fixées par Noctua.
la position du ventilateur n'a que peu de conséquences sur l'efficacité du ventirad.
La discrétion est de mise sauf peut être en usage extrême, nous ne le critiquerons pas la dessus car ce n'est pas sa destination.
Noctua NH L12SLe montage est simple et très détaillé, la compatibilité est assurée sur les sockets du moment, il n'y a pas d'incompatibilité notoire sauf évidemment les barrettes mémoire, deux montages du ventilateur sont donc possibles.
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Test verdict: "Le Noctua NH-L12S est un ventirad de très bon niveau, il a été conçu à la base pour dissiper du mieux possible avec un niveau sonore réduit et un encombrement minimum pour être installé dans un mini-boîtier, pari réussi." (Philippe Vautier, 59hardware.net)
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NM-I3 Mounting-Kit
- The NM-I3 SecuFirm2™ Mounting-Kit makes Noctua CPU coolers compatible with Intel's LGA775 & LGA1366 sockets.

You can either buy from our local sales partners or directly from us via our official Amazon and eBay stores:
- INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION SHEETS (PDF)
- FAQs
- MAINBOARD COMPATIBILITY
- CASE COMPATIBILITY
- CPU COMPATIBILITY
FAQs
Is it possible to use the cooler with vertical graphic cards?
My Intel CPU is running too hot although my heatsink supports the specified TDP, what's the problem?
How big is the NH-L12S and how much clearance does it provide?
I have difficulties installing the cooler, can you help?
My case supports CPU coolers of up to XXXmm height, which model should I choose?
Can I install a Noctua cooler in my system from Acer, Dell, HP or Lenovo?
Which sockets are supported or can be supported using upgrade kits?
In which orientation should top-flow coolers (NH-C series, NH-L12) be installed?
How much torque should be applied when tightening the screws of a Noctua CPU cooler?
My Noctua PWM fan starts to spin when the PC boots but then stops, what is wrong?
My Noctua PWM fan runs at a much higher minimum speed than advertised, what is wrong?
I get a CPU fan error using my Noctua PWM fan, is it faulty?
I'm experiencing fan speed issues with my motherboard from Supermicro, what can I do?
How should I clean my Noctua cooler?
Can I upgrade my existing Noctua cooler to socket TR4 or SP3?
I’ve used all the NT-H1 thermal compound that came with the cooler, can you send me more?
How much RAM clearance does the NH-L12S provide?
Why doesn't the supplied backplate fit my LGA2066 / LGA2011 motherboard?
How to remove the base protection cover?
Does the mounting-system support LGA2011 based Xeon CPUs?
Why is the cooler’s contact surface slightly convex?
How can I check whether my case is wide/high enough for the cooler?
Is the cooler compatible with LGA775 and LGA1366?
Why doesn't the base of Noctua coolers have a polished, mirror like finish?
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)?
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
Is it possible to use the cooler with vertical graphic cards?
My Intel CPU is running too hot although my heatsink supports the specified TDP, what's the problem?
Current processors from Intel, especially the unlocked models with the suffixes C, K, X or XE (e.g. Core i7-8700K, Core i9-7900X oder Core i9-9900K) can dissipate noticeably more heat than indicated by the TDP specification.
While many motherboard models stick to the recommended power levels and clock speeds settings from Intel, there are models where the UEFI BIOS is configured in such a way that:
- the TDP limits are extended or disabled.
- the motherboard applies automatic overclocking by default, e.g. by raising the supply voltage of the CPU and using higher Turbo-Mode multipliers.
Depending on the load scenario and CPU configuration settings, the actual power draw can be 1.5-3 times as high the stated TDP value. This can lead to temperature issues, especially when using smaller coolers, compact cases or cases with poor airflow, when some applications create very high loads, e.g. Prime95 with AVX2 support, 3D-rendering or simulation software.
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. You might also want to limit the TDP to either the specified value by Intel or a value that is 5-10W below the value previously read out from the CPU. This can be done in BIOS by setting the “Long Term Duration Power” manually instead of “Auto”.
Furthermore, 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.
The option to set an AVX-offset value is usually available for the following CPU generations:
- LGA1151:7th, 8th and 9th generation (Kaby Lake, Coffee Lake)
- LGA2011-3: 6th generation (Broadwell-E)
- LGA2066: 7th and 8th generation (Skylake-X)
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 most 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.
Please also note that CPUs that use thermal paste instead of soldering between the DIE and the heatspreader generally run hotter. Due to the thermal bottleneck created by the thermal paste, temperatures can be high even at the specified TDP.
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.
How big is the NH-L12S and how much clearance does it provide?

I have difficulties installing the cooler, can you help?
My case supports CPU coolers of up to XXXmm height, which model should I choose?
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.
What Thermal Design Power (TDP) is this cooler recommended for and how much Watt (W) of heat can it dissipate?
Which sockets are supported or can be supported using upgrade kits?
In which orientation should top-flow coolers (NH-C series, NH-L12) be installed?

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.
My Noctua PWM fan starts to spin when the PC boots but then stops, what is wrong?

Note that mainboard manufacturers use different terms to indicate that Pin 4 is not being used for PWM control (e.g. “+5V”, “VCC” or “NC”), but if one of these terms is used, you can be sure that the fan header does not support PWM. If Pin 4 is described as “Speed Control” or “PWM” or the like, you can be sure that the fan header supports PWM.
Unfortunately, the description of Pin 2 is not always a clear indication as some manufacturers use terms such as “Fan PWR” or “Power” for both types of fan headers. However, if Pin 2 is described as “Speed Control”, you can also be sure that the fan header does not support PWM based speed control. If Pin 2 is described as “+12V”, this is a clear indication that the fan header supports PWM.
Please also note that in some cases, the descriptions of the pin layouts in the mainboard manuals may not be correct and some models actually allow you to switch the fan headers from voltage control mode to PWM control mode in the BIOS even though the pin descriptions do not indicate PWM support. We thus recommend to look for these options in the BIOS before taking other measures. In case of doubt, please contact your mainboard manufacturer.
To resolve the issue, you can:
Choose a higher fan speed profile in the BIOS (e.g. „normal“ instead of „silent“, etc.) or deactivate automatic fan speed control and use a Low-Noise Adaptor instead.
Use the mainboard‘s fan speed control software or 3rd party tools like Speedfan to regulate the fan speed. Unlike BIOS based fan speed control, the supplied software usually checks whether the fan has stopped and increases voltage accordingly or at least offer more options to set up the fan properly.
If your mainboard features other 4-pin fan headers that use PWM for speed control, you can run multiple fans from these headers using Y-split cables. Make sure not to exceed the specified maximum power draw of the fan headers (usually 10-12W) though.
My Noctua PWM fan runs at a much higher minimum speed than advertised, what is wrong?
- Many mainboards do not go below 40%, 50% or even 60% PWM duty cycle on case fan headers. Please refer to your mainboard manual to verify whether the fan header actually goes down to 20% duty cycle. If that's not the case, in some cases you can use the fan speed control software supplied with your mainboard to overcome these limitations and reduce the fan speed even further. However, 3rd party tools like SpeedFan offer greater flexibility and better options to work around the limitations imposed by the mainboard vendors.
- Some mainboards feature 4-pin fan headers that actually don‘t use a PWM signal on Pin 4 to control the fan speed but rather reduce the voltage on Pin 2 (like a standard 3-pin fan header). As the fan speed at minimum voltage is usually higher than the speed at 20% PWM duty cycle, the fan can not reach as low minimum speeds under voltage control as under PWM control. Please refer to your mainboard manual to check whether or not your mainboard has 4-pin fan headers that control the fan speed by reducing voltage on Pin 2 rather than by changing the PWM duty cycle on Pin 4:
Note that mainboard manufacturers use different terms to indicate that Pin 4 is not being used for PWM control (e.g. “+5V”, “VCC” or “NC”), but if one of these terms is used, you can be sure that the fan header does not support PWM. If Pin 4 is described as “Speed Control” or “PWM” or the like, you can be sure that the fan header supports PWM.
Unfortunately, the description of Pin 2 is not always a clear indication as some manufacturers use terms such as “Fan PWR” or “Power” for both types of fan headers. However, if Pin 2 is described as “Speed Control”, you can also be sure that the fan header does not support PWM based speed control. If Pin 2 is described as “+12V”, this is a clear indication that the fan header supports PWM.
Please also note that in some cases, the descriptions of the pin layouts in the mainboard manuals may not be correct and some models actually allow you to switch the fan headers from voltage control mode to PWM control mode in the BIOS even though the pin descriptions do not indicate PWM support. We thus recommend to look for these options in the BIOS before taking other measures. In case of doubt, please contact your mainboard manufacturer.
If your mainboard features other 4-pin fan headers that use PWM for speed control, you can run multiple fans from these headers using Y-split cables. Make sure not to exceed the specified maximum power draw of the fan headers (usually 10-12W) though.
I get a CPU fan error using my Noctua PWM fan, is it faulty?
I'm experiencing fan speed issues with my motherboard from Supermicro, what can I do?
The BIOS of many motherboard models from Supermicro expects a certain minimum fan speed (usually 600 or 700rpm), which is higher than the minimum fan speed that can be achieved with Noctua's PWM fan models. The BIOS may interpret the low minimum RPM of Noctua fans as a fan error and thus try to run the fan at 100% for a short period before going back to automatic control. This can result in oscillating fan speeds and fan speed warnings in the BIOS or the fan management console.
Unfortunately there is usually no option to set a lower minimum value in the BIOS that would suit the low minimum speed of Noctua PWM fans. The issue can thus only be resolved by either disabling automatic fan speed control in BIOS, which will cause the fans to run at a constant speed, by using 3rd party tools like IPMItool or IPMIutil, or by requesting a modified BIOS file from Supermicro, which takes the minimum fan speed of Noctua fans into account (charges might apply). Please note that any modifications performed with 3rd party tools are done at your own risk and that Noctua can not be held responsible for any possible issues.
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.
Can I upgrade my existing Noctua cooler to socket TR4 or SP3?
I’ve used all the NT-H1 thermal compound that came with the cooler, can you send me more?
How much RAM clearance does the NH-L12S provide?
Why doesn't the supplied backplate fit my LGA2066 / LGA2011 motherboard?
How to remove the base protection cover?
The base of Noctua CPU coolers is made from hard-wearing nickel plated copper, so there's nothing to worry about if you buy a Noctua cooler from second hand or if your cooler didn't come with a protection cover. Please proceed with the installation as explained in the manual.
You can simply remove the cover as shown below:

Does the mounting-system support LGA2011 based Xeon CPUs?

Why is the cooler’s contact surface slightly convex?
Is it a problem that the CPU heatspreader is not covered completely by the heatsinkbase on LGA2011-3?
How can I check whether my case is wide/high enough for the cooler?
Is the cooler compatible with LGA775 and LGA1366?
Why doesn't the base of Noctua coolers have a polished, mirror like finish?
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
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
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