heading
Thanks to the 4 Dual-Heat-Pipes, 37 aluminium cooling fins with a total surface area of more than 3800cm² and soldered joints for optimal heat-transfer, the Noctua NH-U9 achieves superior cooling results that barely fall behind those of its big brother, the NH-U12. Its compact measurements and the utilisation of 92mm fans make the NH-U9 the first choice when mainboard and case compatibility is essential - no matter whether you use it for super-silent or ultra-high-performance cooling!
4 Dual-Heatpipes for optimal heat absorption
The 4 u-shaped Dual-Heat-Pipes have a huge contact area with the copper base to efficiently absorb the CPU's heat. They form a total of 8 risers to spread the heat throughout the fins.
37 aluminium cooling fins for optimal heat dissipation
Thanks to a surface area of more than 3800cm², the cooling fins dissipate the heat extremely fast. Both the choice of aluminium and the fins' shape and spacing allow for outstanding cooling performance even with silent fans.
Soldered joints for optimal heat-transfer
Unlike many other coolers, whose heat-pipes are stuck to the base and the fins, the Noctua NH-U9 possesses high-grade soldered joints to ensure optimal heat transfer.
Screwless fan-mount including anti-vibration strips
The choice of fan is all yours: Both 80 and 92mm fans can be used on the NH-U9 and provide excellent results regardless of whether silence or performance is your primary concern. Attaching the fan with the steel clips is a child's play and doesn't even require a screwdriver. The supplied anti-vibration strips minimize vibrations transmitted to the cooler and hence allows for extra quietness.
Universal fit for socket LGA, K8 & AM2 easy installation, thermal paste
The NH-U12 fits Intel socket 478 and LGA 775 as well as AMD K8. The mounting mechanism using a backplate and spring-loaded screws is as easy as it is secure thanks to the detailed step-by-step installation guide. In addition to the mounting hardware, the package contains a syringe of high-grade thermal paste.

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Intel Sockel LGA 775, AMD K8 & AM2
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Height (without fan)
128 mm
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Width (without fan)
95 mm
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Depth (without fan)
70 mm
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Height (with fan)
128 mm
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Width (with fan)
95 mm
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Depth (with fan)
95 mm
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Material
Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints
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Application
P4 all frequencies, AMD all frequencies
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NH-U9 Review
Nous voici à 2.8ghz pour 1.45v de vcore toujours, le premier est encore le NH-U9 + Swif-922 pour 36° décidément ce ventirad est vraiment à la hauteur, suivit de peu par le poid lourd des ventirad cuivre, le Zalman 9500led qui lui est à un très respectable 37°, le deuxième Noctua est troisième comme toujours à 38°, tout ce joue dans un mouchoir de poche, leur différence de un ou deux degrés les positionnent dans le top des ventirad heatpipes.
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Test verdict: "Le Noctua NH-U9 est un compromis qualité/performance/prix/bruit très intéressant, c'est pour cela qu'il gagne la première place de ce comparatif. Si vous devez achetez un ventirad, vous devez absolument avoir celui-ci." (Yohann Catoire, Total-Tuning.net)
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NH-U9 Review
Als eerste valt ons op dat de Noctua zijn hoofd enorm koel houdt voor een passieve CPU koeler met temperaturen van 28 graden Celcius idle en 32 onder load. De NH-U9 levert zelfs betere temperaturen dan onze stock koeler die de processor terugbrengt naar 35 graden onder idle load en 42 graden onder load.
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Test verdict: "De Noctua NH-U9 is een uitstekende koeler." (Kenny Bakermans, Bouweenpc.nl)
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NH-U9 Review
The Noctua NH-U9 performed well under pressure, posting a two degree difference in idle temps and a fantastic five degree difference in load temps over its stock configuration. Not only that, but we also managed to gain another 22 MHz (2 MHz HTT) on our overclock. Despite the difference between the NH-U9 and its big brother, the NH-U9 is still a top performer according to our tests.
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Test verdict: "If space is a consideration, the NH-U9 is the best solution we have seen. (William McLaughlin, BleedinEdge.com)
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NH-U9 Review
Le NH-U9 permet de refroidir un pentium D 930 au TDP de 130 Watts sans difficulté.
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Test verdict: "Ces deux radiateurs sont performants, bien pensés et disponibles à des tarifs raisonnables [...]." (Jérôme Gianoli, GinjFo.com)
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NH-U9 Review
El Noctua NH-U9 es un excelente disipador que, incluso con el ventilador menos potente, mejora en 1ºC la temperatura del Thermalright XP-120 equipado con el muy potente Silverstone FM-121. Equipado con un ventilador más potente, la diferencia se agranda, llegando a ser de 5ºC en la prueba de overclock extremo (1,65V en el núcleo es el voltaje a partir del cual ya te empiezas a plantear poner una refrigeración líquida). Lo que no cuentan las cifras es lo increiblemente silencioso que es este disipador incluso equipado con el ventilador SwiF-922 que es más potente que el SwiF-921. Es tan silencioso que la primera vez que lo conecté pensé que no se había encendido el ventilador porque, simplemente, no lo oía. Por tanto, altamente recomendado, incluso para overclocks moderados.
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Test verdict: En resumen: Estos disipadores me han dejado completamente anonadados con sus resultados. Silencio y prestaciones, todo en un mísmo paquete... Y parecía imposible!
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NH-U9 Review
onsidering the results from the NH-U12, we were expecting great things from the smaller NH-U9. We weren?t disappointed. Equipped with one 90mm fan the NH-U9 kept our Opteron system at 49C, 9C cooler than the stock AMD heatsink.
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Test verdict: "These results show the Noctua coolers are very capable heatsinks." (Dave Crowther, Abyteapart.com)
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NH-U9 Review
I give the Noctua NH-U9 high marks for things such as construction, ease of installation and of course performance.
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Test verdict: "The Noctua NH-U9 is a great heatsink" (Langhi Lau, Hi-Techreviews.com)
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NH-U9 Review
Dobre performanse, univerzalnost, odlična izrada, dobar priručnik za
uporabu.
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Test verdict: 90% "Iako novak na tržištu, Noctua se svojim proizvodima nameće kao
odličan izbor za hlađenje naših procesora. Ova dva testirana
univerzalca zadovoljiti će svakoga, bilo da tražite ultimativni
overclockerski cooler ili želite riješenje koje proizvodi minimalno ili
nimalo buke." (Krešimir Matanović, PC-Ekspert.com)
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NH-U9 Review
Les résultats obtenus en passif sont tout simplement bluffant! En particulier pour le NH-U12 qui dépasse à peine 42°C en burn, mais le U9 obtiens quand même un delta de seulement 11°C ce qui nous donne en burn une température de 47° ce qui est tout à fait acceptable. Le NH-U12 révèle tout son potentiel quand il est couplé avec deux ventilateurs Coolink et le tout dans un silence plus qu?appréciable.
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Test verdict: "J'ai été agréablement surpris par les performances des deux ventirads quelque soit le mode d'utilisation, double ventilation ou passif, les Noctua se révèlent être de très bons dissipateurs. La présentation est soignée, le produit est bien conditionné, le manuel est de qualité et le bundle est conséquent." (Ales Jordan, Waterboost.info)
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NH-U9 Review
Der NH-U9 und sein großer Bruder, der NH-U12, spielen in Sachen Verarbeitung und Vielseitigkeit ganz klar in der Oberklasse mit. Das durchdachte Befestigungssystem ermöglich in Verbingung mit der ausführlichen Montageanleitung eine sichere und einfache Montage und man kann den PC sogar mit montiertem Kühler transportieren, was bei derartig kollosalen Kühlern früher nicht in Frage kam. Auch die Verarbeitung beider Kühler ist makellos. Die Kühlleistung von NH-U9 und NH-U12 ist bei Lüftern mit hohen Fördermengen sehr zufriendenstellend, aber sie zeigen erst bei wenig Luftstrom was wirklich in ihnen steckt.
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Test verdict: "Die eingangs gestellte Frage war, ob Noctua es geschafft hat, ein neues Maß an Qualität und Leistung auf dem Markt zu etablieren. Die Antwort lautet: Ja, haben sie." (Finn Schmitz, DeXgo.com)
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- INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION SHEETS (PDF)
- FAQs
- MAINBOARD COMPATIBILITY
- CASE COMPATIBILITY
- CPU COMPATIBILITY
FAQs
How much space is required around the CPU socket?
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?
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with AMD AM4 (Ryzen)?
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with Intel LGA2066?
Can I keep using the backplate / mounting system of my previous Noctua cooler for my new one?
Is it possible to mount fans with a greater height than 25mm?
Is it possible to run two fans at a time?
Should the fan be mounted sucking away from the heat-sink or blowing onto the heat-sink?
On which side of the heat-sink should the fan be installed?
How much space is required around the CPU socket?
Is it possible to cool my CPU without a fan (passive) using Noctua coolers?
How to install the fan using the supplied steel clips?
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
How much space is required around the CPU socket?

The cooling fins of the NH-U9 are put high enough to evade problems with mainboard capacitors and other parts:


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 |
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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.
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 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
Can I keep using the backplate / mounting system of my previous Noctua cooler for my new one?
Is it possible to mount fans with a greater height than 25mm?

Is it possible to run two fans at a time?
Should the fan be mounted sucking away from the heat-sink or blowing onto the heat-sink?

If you're using two fans, please install them so that one blows onto the heat-sink and the other sucks the air away from the other side.
On which side of the heat-sink should the fan be installed?

How much space is required around the CPU socket?

The cooling fins of the NH-U12 are put high enough to evade problems with mainboard capacitors and other parts:


Is it possible to cool my CPU without a fan (passive) using Noctua coolers?
How to install the fan using the supplied steel clips?

Then hook the endings of the clips into the mounting holes of the fan:

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.
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!