- Review -

31.08.2014 Neoseeker.com

Noctua's NH-U14S performed extremely well, easily outpacing the competition in three of the four test performed, while the NH-U12S placed in the middle of the pack in half of the tests. Performance wise the NH-U12S didn't do as well as the NH-U14S, but that was to be expected. The NH-U12S is a smaller cooler when compared to the the NH-U14S and so doesn't quite have the cooling capacity of it's bigger brother. That being said it still managed to keep our 4770k cool and crash-free during testing especially given the compact nature of the HAF912 mid tower. The NH-U14S on the other hand managed to lead the pack in all but the single fan chipset portion of the test, having tied with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO in that area. [...] Loaded with features like solid copper bases and heat-pipes, compatibility with memory outfitted with tall heatshields (at least in the case of the NH-U12S) and bundling whisper-quiet fans like the NF-F12/NF-A15 PWM, respectively, that offer excellent performance even while under heavy loads along with easy installation thanks to the SecuFirm2 mounting system; all these are reason enough why many individuals choose Noctua for their cooling needs over other brands. Pricing for the HN-U12S/NH-U14S ranges from $69~$75, which is not bad given the performance versus cost, making both coolers an easy recommendation for everyday use or mild overclocking depending on your case ventilation.

"Noctua constantly redefines the meaning of quality with each new generation of coolers, and the NH-U12S/NH-U14S are a testament to this." (Roger Cantwell, Neoseeker.com)