NH-U12S chromax.black

The NH-U12S chromax.black is an all-black version of Noctua’s award-winning NH-U12S premium-quality quiet CPU cooler. Thanks to the same proven slim-tower heatsink design and NF-F12 PWM fan, it stays true to the NH-U12S’s successful formula of fusing excellent cooling performance with superb quietness of operation and outstanding RAM, case and PCIe compatibility. At the same time, the chromax.black version with its black fan and black coated heatsink combines these assets with a sleek stealth look. Topped off with the renowned SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting system, Noctua’s enthusiast-grade NT-H1 thermal compound and a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty, the NH-U12S chromax.black is a premium choice for customers who seek a highly compatible 120mm heatsink that looks just as great as it cools.

Details

Award-winning NH-U12S cooler

Tens of thousands of enthusiast users all over the world swear by the NH-U12S’s quality and performance. Recommended by more than 200 international hardware websites and magazines, it is renowned as being one of the best 120mm coolers on the market.

chromax.black design

The NH-U12S chromax.black is black from head to toe: Featuring a black coated heatsink, black fans 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.

Colour-customisable

Using the optional NA-HC1 and NA-HC2 heatsink covers as well as the NA-SAVP1 anti-vibration pads (available in black, blue, green, red, yellow, white), the NH-U12S chromax.black can be fully customised to fit popular build colour schemes such as black and red or black and white.

100% RAM compatibility

Thanks to its slim design with only 45mm fin depth, the NH-U12S will not overhang the RAM slots even with two fans installed. This gives the user full access to the memory modules on all current CPU sockets and guarantees 100% compatibility with tall heatspreaders or optional memory fans.*

Classic 120mm tower size for excellent overall compatibility

Standing 158mm tall, the NH-U12S is short enough to fit most modern mid- or high-end tower cases. Measuring 125mm wide (including fan and fan clips), the cooler stays clear of the top PCIe slot on most standard ATX or Micro-ATX motherboards, ensuring optimum compatibility with multi-GPU setups.

NF-F12 120mm Focused Flow™ fan

Recommended by more than 150 hardware publications and thousands of enthusiasts world-wide, the Noctua's premium quality NF-F12 Focused Flow™ 120mm fan is renowned to combine superb static pressure, excellent heatsink performance and surprising quietness of operation.

PWM support and Low-Noise Adaptor

The NF-F12 120mm fan supplied with the NH-U12S supports PWM for convenient automatic speed control through the motherboard. In addition, the maximum fan speed can be reduced from 1500 to 1200rpm using the supplied Low-Noise Adaptor for even quieter operation.

Anti-vibration pads and fan-clips for second NF-F12 (optional)

For users who want to achieve even better performance by adding a second, optional NF-F12 PWM chromax.black.swap fan to create a push/pull setup, the NH-U12S includes fan clips and an extra set of custom-designed anti-vibration pads that allow to off-set the rear fan by 5mm to improve acoustics in dual-fan mode.

SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting system

Noctua's SecuFirm2™ mounting systems have become synonymous with quality, safety and easy installation. Supporting Intel LGA1851, LGA1700 (since 2021), LGA1200, LGA115x (LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156) as well as AMD AM4 and AM5 (since 2019), the SecuFirm2™ mounting included with the NH-U12S 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-U12S 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-U12S can be made compatible with the older LGA1366 and LGA775 sockets using the optional NM-I3 mounting kit, which is provided free of charge. If technically possible, Noctua will also provide upgrade kits for future sockets, which makes the NH-U12S 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-U12S’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. Like all Noctua fans, the supplied NF-F12 features an MTTF rating of more than 150.000 hours and the entire NH-U12S package comes with a full 6-year manufacturer's warranty.

* Some AMD mainboards violate the 96x114mm keep-out zone specified by AMD, so the NH-U12S can only be used with RAM modules of up to 40mm height on these boards. Please consult our compatibility list for details.

See all 62 reviews for this product

Cooler Specification

Socket compatibility

Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150 and AMD AM5, AM4

(Current socket compatibility applies to all coolers purchased since Q4 2021. For older coolers, please refer to this chart.)

Height (without fan)

158 mm

Width (without fan)

125 mm

Depth (without fan)

45 mm

Weight (without fan)

580 g

Height (with fan)

158 mm

Width (with fan)

125 mm

Depth (with fan)

71 mm

Weight (with fan)

755 g

Material

Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating

NSPR

129

Max. TDP

see NSPR

Fan compatibility

120x120x25

Scope of delivery

Black NH-U12S heatsink
NF-F12 PWM chromax.black premium fan
NA-RC6 Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.)
NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound
Black SecuFirm2™ mounting kit
Black anti-vibration pads and fan-clips for second NF-F12
Noctua Metal Case-Badge

Warranty

6 Years

FAN Specification

Model

Noctua NF-F12 PWM chromax.black

Bearing

SSO2

Max. rotational speed (+/- 10%)

1500 RPM

Max. rotational speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%)

1200 RPM

Min. rotational speed @ 20% PWM (+/-20%)

300 RPM

Max. airflow

93,4 m³/h

Max. airflow with L.N.A.

74,3 m³/h

Max. acoustical noise

22,4 dB(A)

Max. acoustical noise with L.N.A.

18,6 dB(A)

Voltage range

12 V

MTTF

> 150.000 h

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION SHEETS (PDF)

Motherboard Compatibility

Installation Manual (PDF)

Information Sheet (PDF)

When modern CPUs use their turbo modes, they can (depending on the configuration of the UEFI BIOS) dissipate much more heat than indicated by the manufacturer’s TDP (Thermal Design Power) specification. Just like manual overclocking, this puts higher demands on the cooling solution. Our CPU compatibility list helps you to choose the cooler model that is best suited for a given CPU and your individual requirements as far as turbo and overclocking headroom are concerned. We classify our coolers according to the following categories:

best turbo/overclocking headroom

medium turbo/overclocking headroom

low turbo/overclocking headroom

compatible without turbo/overclocking headroom

compatible with certain restrictions (see comment)

incompatible (see comment)

For further information on CPUs exceeding their TDP ratings and how to configure the UEFI BIOS in order to avoid excessively high temperatures, please see this FAQ.

Please also see our general buying guide, motherboard compatibility list and FAQs for further help on how to select the best cooler for your configuration.

Can't find the CPU you're looking for? Please don't hesitate to contact our support team at support@noctua.at in order to obtain compatibility information for CPUs that aren't listed here.

NA-HC1 chromax.black.swap
chromax.black.swap edition heatsink cover with swappable inlays (red, blue, green, yellow, black, white)

Compatible with Noctua NH-U12S, NH-U12S TR4-SP3, NH-U12S SE-AM4 and NH-U12S DX-3647 heatsinks

Ideal for matching with Noctua’s industrialPPC or chromax line fans and anti-vibration pads
NA-HC2 chromax.black
chromax.black edition heatsink cover

Compatible with Noctua NH-U12S, NH-U12S TR4-SP3, NH-U12S SE-AM4 heatsinks and NH-U12S DX-3647

Ideal for matching with Noctua’s industrialPPC or chromax line fans and anti-vibration pads
NA-HC2 chromax.white
chromax.white edition heatsink cover

Compatible with Noctua NH-U12S, NH-U12S TR4-SP3, NH-U12S SE-AM4 and NH-U12S DX-3647 heatsinks

Ideal for matching with Noctua’s industrialPPC or chromax line fans and anti-vibration pads
NA-SAVP1 chromax.black
Anti-vibration pads

chromax.black edition
NA-SAVP1 chromax.blue
Anti-vibration pads

chromax.blue edition
NA-SAVP1 chromax.green
Anti-vibration pads

chromax.green edition
NA-SAVP1 chromax.red
Anti-vibration pads

chromax.red edition
NA-SAVP1 chromax.white
Anti-vibration pads

chromax.white edition
NA-SAVP1 chromax.yellow
Anti-vibration pads

chromax.yellow edition
NA-SEC1 chromax.black
4x NA-EC1 chromax.black 30cm extension cables

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

Black sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NA-SEC1 chromax.blue
4x NA-EC1 chromax.blue 30cm extension cables

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

Blue sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NA-SEC1 chromax.green
4x NA-EC1 chromax.green 30cm extension cables

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

Green sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NA-SEC1 chromax.red
4x NA-EC1 chromax.red 30cm extension cables

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

Red sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NA-SEC1 chromax.white
4x NA-EC1 chromax.white 30cm extension cables

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

White sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NA-SEC1 chromax.yellow
4x NA-EC1 chromax.yellow 30cm extension cables

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

Yellow sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NA-SYC1 chromax.black
3x NA-YC1 chromax.black y-cables for running two fans on one fan header

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

Black sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NA-SYC1 chromax.blue
3x NA-YC1 chromax.blue y-cables for running two fans on one fan header

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

Blue sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NA-SYC1 chromax.green
3x NA-YC1 chromax.green y-cables for running two fans on one fan header

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

Green sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NA-SYC1 chromax.red
3x NA-YC1 chromax.red y-cables for running two fans on one fan header

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

Red sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NA-SYC1 chromax.white
3x NA-YC1 chromax.white y-cables for running two fans on one fan header

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

White sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NA-SYC1 chromax.yellow
3x NA-YC1 chromax.yellow y-cables for running two fans on one fan header

4-pin connector supports both 3-pin and 4-pin fans

Yellow sleeving: ideal for creating PC builds with neat, focused aesthetics
NF-F12 PWM chromax.black.swap
120x120x25mm

4-pin PWM, 1500rpm max.

Focused Flow™ System

chromax.black.swap edition
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-SCW1
Cleaning wipes for removing thermal compounds such as Noctua NT-H2 and NT-H1

Ideal for cleaning the contact surface of the heatsink as well as the heat-spreader of CPUs, GPUs or other chips

Pre-moistened with a custom detergent mixture for easy and efficient cleaning

Large size (15x12cm) is usually enough to clean both the chip and the cooler

Pack contains 20 individually packed wipes
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 (LGA1851, 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.