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Tailored to provide superior RAM and PCIe compatibility, the NH-D15S is an asymmetrical single fan version of Noctua’s award-winning flagship model, the NH-D15. Thanks to its asymmetrical design, the NH-D15S clears the top PCIe slot on most µATX and ATX motherboards. At the same time, the single fan setup and recessed lower fins guarantee 100% RAM compatibility with memory modules of up to 65mm height. Users who have sufficient room can also upgrade the cooler with either a 120mm or round 140mm fan on the front fin stack for further improved performance in dual fan mode. Topped off with the trusted, pro-grade SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting system, Noctua’s proven NT-H1 thermal compound and full 6 years manufacturer’s warranty, the NH-D15S forms a complete premium quality solution that combines dual tower efficiency with excellent compatibility and flexible upgrade options.
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High-compatibility version of NH-D15
Compared to the award-winning NH-D15, the S-version uses an off-set, asymmetrical layout and a single instead of dual NF-A15 fans. This allows the NH-D15S to provide state-of-the-art heatsink performance while maintaining superior RAM and PCIe compatibility.
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Excellent RAM compatibility
Thanks to its recessed lower fins, the NH-D15S provides 65mm clearance for tall memory heatsinks, making it compatible with most high end modules on the market. As the lower fins are recessed on both sides of the heatsink, compatibility is excellent not only on LGA115x and AMD, but also on LGA2011 where there are RAM slots on both sides of the socket.
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Asymmetrical layout for better PCIe compatibility
As many current motherboards have the top PCIe x16 slot sitting close to the socket, bigger heatsinks tend to block it. Due to its asymmetrical layout, the fin-stack of the NH-D15S is off-set towards the upper edge of the motherboard when installed in standard orientation. This allows it to clear the top PCIe x16 slot on most current µATX and ATX motherboards.*
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NF-A15 140mm fan
Complying with Noctua's AAO standard and featuring sophisticated aerodynamic design measures such as Flow Acceleration Channels, the NF-A15 has quickly built up a reputation as one of the best 140mm fans on the market.
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Dual-fan ready
Using the supplied extra fan clips, the NH-D15S can be upgraded with either a second round-frame 140mm fan with 120mm mounting holes (such as the NF-A15) for maximum performance or a common 120mm fan (such as the NF-F12) for improving performance while maintaining compatibility with RAM modules of up to 45mm height.
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PWM support and Low-Noise Adaptor
The NF-A15 premium fan supplied with the NH-D15S 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.
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Excellent component cooling
Extending below the fin-stacks, the large NF-A15 fan not only contributes to the superb CPU cooling capabilities of the NH-D15S but also provides massive airflow over surrounding motherboard components and heatsinks, thus ensuring excellent component cooling performance.
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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 (AM4 (since 2019), AM3(+), AM2(+), FM1, FM2(+)), the SecuFirm2™ mounting included with the NH-D15S 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 NH-D15S 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
Having received more than 100 awards and recommendations from hardware journalists around the world, Noctua's NT-H1 is a proven professional grade TIM solution that provides minimum thermal resistance, excellent ease of use and outstanding reliability.
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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-A15 features an MTTF rating of more than 150.000 hours and the entire NH-D15S package comes with a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty.
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*Please refer to our motherboard compatibility list for detailed information.
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Intel LGA2066, LGA2011-0 & LGA2011-3 (Square ILM), LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150 & AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+ (backplate required), AM4 (included since 2019, older coolers require NM-AM4)
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Height (without fan)
160 mm
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Width (without fan)
150 mm
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Depth (without fan)
135 mm
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Weight (without fan)
980 g
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Height (with fan)
160 mm
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Width (with fan)
150 mm
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Depth (with fan)
135 mm
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Weight (with fan)
1150 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
140x150x25 (with 120mm mounting holes), 140x140x25 (with 120mm mounting holes), 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%)
1500 RPM
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Max. rotational speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%)
1200 RPM
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Min. rotational speed (PWM, +/-20%)
300 RPM
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140,2 m³/h
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115,5 m³/h
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Max. acoustical noise
24,6 dB(A)
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Max. acoustical noise with L.N.A.
19,2 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-D15S Review
There isn’t a whole lot new or special about Noctua’s NH-D15S CPU cooler, however it still performed very well and darn near identical to the NH-D15 – as it should.
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Test verdict: "This particular cooler, the NH-D15S, was originally released on August 28, 2015, so it has been around for a while, but still performs like a king." (Brian Nyhuis, LegitReviews.com)
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NH-D15S Review
The Noctua NH-D15S is a fantastic CPU cooler that improves on the already outstanding NH-D15. Overall, it usually stays within 1-2 °C of its sibling. With such fantastic performance on mainstream processors, the loss of a second fan does little to dampen its performance. It also doesn't hurt that noise levels are just as expected in that it's nearly silent. At 64 mm under the fins, memory clearance is good, and with the new asymmetrical design, expansion-slot clearance is greatly improved as well. Much like all Noctua coolers, the NH-D15S is easy to install thanks to the SecuFirm 2 mounting hardware, and let's face it, that paired with its exceptional build quality make this cooler a bit of a treat to work with. The fact that it's well packaged and has a nice accessories bundle is just icing on the cake. Oh and who can say no to an industry leading no fuss six year warranty?
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Test verdict: "If you want top-tier performance with ultra-low noise levels and extra expansion-slot room, the Noctua NH-D15S is a damn good option." (Raymond Lemar, techPowerUp.com)
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NH-D15S Review
What is there really left to say? Noctua took what was already an award winning and well liked flagship cooler, and made it that much more user friendly. Of course, not everyone will appreciate this sort of cooler, but as an Intel X99 user, trying to populate the first slot with the GPU, it takes something offset like this product to work well in that instance. Most other offerings either are much smaller and not as efficient, or they just don't care and they go ahead and block things off.
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Test verdict: "Offering complete compatibility with the memory, motherboard, and video cards, the NH-D15S is the third most efficient air cooler we have tested and does so with virtually no noise! While it is a bit expensive, we have no issues recommending it." (Chad Sebring, TweakTown.com)
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NH-D15S Review |
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Test verdict: "Like the Noctua NH-D15, the D15S is an outstanding cooler, but even better because of the improvements. It's pretty much identical, except it comes with one 140mm fan and has an asymmetrical design. This design dramatically increases it's RAM and motherboard compatibility. It's one of the best CPU air coolers out there!" (Rodney Reynolds, 3dGameMan.com)
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NH-D15S Review
Macht man sich daran die Kühlleistung dieses Blocks zu untersuchen, dann kann man sich definitiv nicht beklagen, sprich mit den NH-D15S erhält man einen äusserst leistungsstarken Luftkühler, der aber auch alles andere als klein ausgefallen ist. Dementsprechend ist eine mehr als nur solide Performance Pflicht. Diese erhält man dann auch, wobei aber nicht nur tiefe Temperaturen das Resultat sind, sondern auch eine geringe Geräuschkulisse.Hinsichtlich Geräuschpegel kann man sich beim NH-D15S von Noctua nicht beschweren. Bei 7 Volt betrieben, ist der Lüfter unhörbar und selbst bei 12 Volt kann man den Kühler noch als leise bezeichnen.
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Test verdict: "Günstig ist dieser Brocken somit nicht, dafür aber erhält man schliesslich auch Kühlleistung satt sowie eine sehr angenehme Geräuschkulisse. Unterm Strich handelt es sich hier um ein Produkt, das wir definitiv empfehlen können." (Marc Büchel, ocaholic.ch)
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NH-D15S Review
Once again, Noctua has absolutely blown us away with their latest cooler. Delivering class-leading performance, this cooler ticks all the right boxes for anyone building a system. Not only is it one of the quietest coolers we’ve ever tested, it managed to stay quiet even when we dialed in some hefty overclocks, meaning your gaming system or workstation should stay whisper quiet, even when you’re putting the heat on your CPU.
Cooling performance is amazing in all our testing, and while it does run a little warmer than the Noctua NH-D15, that was to be expected given the switch from two fans to one fan, which is a move to increase compatibility more than anything. However, despite the halved number of fans, the performance is still extremely competitive and that just shows how much of the performance comes from the build quality and cooling tower design of this unit, not just the fans. The D15 model is superior and we highly recommend that if you want a Noctua cooler, that’s the one you invest in, but there’s a clear market for the D15S that we appreciate Noctua providing a product for.
If you’re running an X99 system, with large ram modules on both sides of the CPU socket, the added cutaways of this model will allow you to maximize compatibility with your hardware. This does come at the cost of losing the first PCI slot, at least on most motherboards, but turn the cooler 90 degrees and you gain that slot back, albeit at the cost of having to use standard profile RAM; at least you have that option.
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Test verdict: "Noctua has once again proved that you really do get what you pay for. The Noctua NH-D15S may be priced in line with many large water coolers, but it can still keep up with them in terms of performance and it outperforms almost everything on the market in terms of acoustics and compatibility. One of the best coolers money can buy." (Peter Donnell, eTeknix.com)
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NH-D15S Review
Mit dem NH-D15S bietet Noctua keinen wirklich neuen Kühler an. Stattdessen ist er praktisch eine Variante des erfolgreichen NH-D15 mit verbesserter PCIe- und Speicher-Kompatibilität. Die asymmetrische Gestaltung und der Wegfall des Zweitlüfters ebnen dafür den Weg. Dabei zeigen unsere Messungen, dass der Unterschied zwischen Single- und Dual-Fan-Betrieb im Normalbetrieb minimal ist. Für viele Nutzer dürfte der NH-D15S deshalb tatsächlich auch die bessere Wahl sein: Sie müssen weniger Kompatibilitätsprobleme fürchten, dafür aber kaum Abstriche bei der Kühlleistung machen. Und für den Fall der Fälle liegen auch dem NH-D15S ein zweites Paar Lüfterklammern bei.
Dabei büßt die Hochkompatibilitäts-Variante des NH-D15 nichts vom Premiumanspruch des Originals ein. Von der aufwendig gestalteten Verpackung über den perfekt verarbeiteten Kühler und den immer kultiviert arbeitenden Lüfter bis hin zum umfangreichen Zubehör zeigt sich auch der NH-D15S ganz als Premiumprodukt. Nicht vergessen werden sollte auch die ungewöhnlich lange Garantiedauer von sechs Jahren. Klammert man den semi-passiven Betrieb aus, ist der Noctua-Kühler zudem ausgesprochen leistungsstark. Letztlich bietet Noctua mit dem NH-D15S so ein rundum stimmiges Paket für den anspruchsvollen Nutzer an.
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Test verdict: "Anspruchsvolle Käufer können mit dem Noctua NH-D15S eigentlich nichts falsch machen - zumal das ohnehin schon ungemein stimmige Gesamtpaket des NH-D15 jetzt durch eine bessere Kompatibilität aufgewertet wird. Wir zeichnen deshalb auch den Noctua NH-D15S mit unserem Exzellent-Hardware-Award aus." (Philipp Moosdorf, Hardwareluxx.de)
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NH-D15S Review
In terms of performance, the NH-D15 and NH-D15S are pretty much identical with the exception of having one fan. This is important because in most scenarios, the single middle fan can handle most of the work and even when pushed to higher OC where all other heatsinks throttle, the single fan NH-D15 was very close. Most would think that to get more always means adding things but Noctua stepped back and evaluated that the value to the consumer is much greater if the second NF-A15 fan was removed. Aside from being known for their quality and silent coolers, Noctua is also known for very high priced products and thus is out of reach for many consumers. Since each of these Noctua NF-A15 fans cost $25-30 when purchased in retail, removing one from the NH-D15 bundle lowers the price to a much more affordable $74.90 (MSRP) which makes the NH-D15S very competitive against many other high-end coolers value-wise. The shift of the heatpipe balance also fixed the single nagging clearance issue that the original NH-D15 had and that is mini-ITX and micro-ATX compatibility. With the PCI-E x16 slot sitting close to the CPU socket keep-out zone, the large NH-D15 prevented graphics card installation on many motherboards but the NH-D15 has no such problem (unless the user is an idiot and did not read the manual, resulting in an opposite installation).
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Test verdict: "Just like the change from the NH-D14 to the NH-D15 seemed minor physically, closer inspection and testing revealed bigger changes than what can be observed by merely unboxing. It feels like Deja Vu with the NH-D15S but the improvements are surprisingly even more profound." (Ron Perillo, Modders-Inc.com)
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NH-D15S Review
The NH-D14 was the King of the Hill for several years - it was the standard that other coolers were judged against. In logical progression comes the D15 and with all the improvements, it assumed the title from the D14 as the new King of the Hill. Well, now it must share the throne with the equally potent D15S. At first glance, the D15S looks almost identical to the D15, and for the most part it is. But it has a few tricks up its sleeve that provide RAM and PCIe compatibility that the standard D15 does not have. The offset, asymmetrical base allows the D15S to clear the top PCIe slot on most µATX and ATX motherboards. And since the D15S has only one fan, you have some additional RAM space. You may not think this is a big deal until you have clearance issues. Not with the D15S. Memory modules up to 65mm tall are no problem and your first PCIe slot is open for business.
The performance is on par with the D15, which is really no surprise. The D15S is clearly built to keep the heat of overclocking under control with its massive dual towers and capable (and quiet) NF-A15 fan. Noctua's well-known SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting system makes the installation a breeze. If you have ever installed a Noctua cooler with the SecuFirm2™, you know what I mean. There are two key factors that determine the success of a cooler. One is a properly designed heat sink that can effectively transfer the heat away from your CPU and into the fin stack, and the other is a fan that can efficiently move air through the fin stack. The NF-AF15 140mm fan effortlessly handles this task.
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Test verdict: "Great cooling with memory compatibility, ease of installation, and quiet operation make the D15S another in a line of top-notch coolers from Noctua." (Chris Dawalt, OverclockersClub.com)
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NH-D15S Review
Well, what can we say, in terms of traditional tower coolers, the high clearance, increased compatibility version of the mighty D15, with its off-set fin stack to improve GPU compatibility, 65mm of clearance underneath to decrease issues with high heat sink RAM, and only a single fan to further lessen RAM issues has totally wiped the floor with all but its bigger brother. We were expecting it to do well, but we really weren't expecting the results we got. Go back and have a look at the charts and you'll see that this cooler is only half a degree off the pace of the D15 at 4.4GHz and beasting a good few of the AIOs on the market.
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Test verdict: "Quality as always with Noctua is excellent, enforced right from the moment you open the box and encounter the individually boxed interlinking accessories. If you've never owned a Noctua you owe it to yourself to own this one." (Gary Wain, Overclock3D.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.

NM-AM4 mounting-kit
- The NM-AM4 SecuFirm2™ mounting-kit makes Noctua CPU coolers compatible with AMD's AM4 socket.

NA-HC4 chromax.white
- chromax.white edition heatsink covers
- Compatible with Noctua NH-D15, NH-D15S and NH-D15 SE-AM4 heatsinks
- Ideal for matching with Noctua’s industrialPPC or chromax line fans and anti-vibration pads

NA-HC4 chromax.black
- chromax.black edition heatsink covers
- Compatible with Noctua NH-D15, NH-D15S and NH-D15 SE-AM4 heatsinks
- Ideal for matching with Noctua’s industrialPPC or chromax line fans and anti-vibration pads

NA-HC3 chromax.black.swap
- chromax.black.swap edition heatsink covers with swappable inlays (red, blue, green, yellow, black, white)
- Compatible with Noctua NH-D15, NH-D15S and NH-D15 SE-AM4 heatsinks
- Ideal for matching with Noctua’s industrialPPC or chromax line fans and anti-vibration pads

NF-A15 HS-PWM chromax.black.swap
- 140x150x25mm, round frame
- 4-pin PWM, 1500rpm max.
- chromax.black.swap edition

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

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.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.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.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-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-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.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.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.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.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

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
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
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?
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?
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with AMD AM4 (Ryzen)?
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with Intel LGA2066?
My case supports CPU coolers of up to XXXmm height, which model should I choose?
I have difficulties installing the cooler, can you help?
I'm experiencing fan speed issues with my motherboard from Supermicro, what can I do?
I get a CPU fan error using my Noctua PWM fan, is it faulty?
My Noctua PWM fan runs at a much higher minimum speed than advertised, what is wrong?
My Noctua PWM fan starts to spin when the PC boots but then stops, what is wrong?
My Intel CPU is running too hot although my heatsink supports the specified TDP, what's the problem?
How much torque should be applied when tightening the screws of a Noctua CPU cooler?
Can I keep using the backplate / mounting system of my previous Noctua cooler for my new one?
Is the cooler compatible with the LGA1151 socket?
How to remove the base protection cover?
Does the package include a backplate for AMD AM2(+)/AM3(+)/FM1/FM2(+)?
Can the cooler be installed turned by 90° on AMD sockets?
I can't open the socket due to the mounting bars!
Why doesn't the supplied backplate fit my LGA2066 / LGA2011 motherboard?
Should I take the cooler off before transporting my system?
What’s the difference between NH-D15 and NH-D15S?
Does the mounting-system support LGA2011 based Xeon CPUs?
Why is the cooler’s contact surface slightly convex?
Why doesn't the base of Noctua coolers have a polished, mirror like finish?
Is the cooler compatible with LGA775 and LGA1366?
How can I check if my Noctua CPU cooler already includes AM4 mounting parts?
Is it possible to use the cooler with vertical graphic cards?
How can I check whether my case is wide/high enough for the cooler?
Is the cooler compatible with the LGA2011-3 socket?
How big is the NH-D15S and how much clearance does it provide for RAM and mainboard heatsinks?
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
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?
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?
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
My case supports CPU coolers of up to XXXmm height, which model should I choose?
I have difficulties installing the cooler, can you help?
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.
I get a CPU fan error using my Noctua PWM fan, is it faulty?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
Can I keep using the backplate / mounting system of my previous Noctua cooler for my new one?
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.
Is the cooler compatible with the LGA1151 socket?
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 package include a backplate for AMD AM2(+)/AM3(+)/FM1/FM2(+)?

Can the cooler be installed turned by 90° on AMD sockets?
I can't open the socket due to the mounting bars!


Why doesn't the supplied backplate fit my LGA2066 / LGA2011 motherboard?
Should I take the cooler off before transporting my system?
What’s the difference between NH-D15 and NH-D15S?
- Asymmetrical design: While both coolers are 150mm wide, the NH-D15S is off-set towards the top edge of the motherboard and thus provides more clearance towards the PCIe slot.
- RAM clearance: While the front fan of the NH-D15 overhangs the RAM slots on many motherboards, the single fan NH-D15S provides 65mm clearance for tall RAM modules on all compatible sockets.
- Total height: While the front fan of the NH-D15 must be installed slightly higher in order to provide sufficient clearance for standard height (32mm) RAM modules, the single center fan of the NH-D15S can be installed lower on the fin stack. As a result, the total height of the NH-D15 including fans is 165mm whereas the total height of the NH-D15S including its single center fan is only 160mm.
- Performance: While the base performance of the NH-D15 and NH-D15S heatsinks is identical, the dual fan configuration of the NH-D15 can provide 1-3°C better performance. Users who have sufficient room can also upgrade the NH-D15S with either a 120mm (e.g. NF-A12x25 PWM) or round 140mm (e.g. NF-A15 PWM) fan on the front fin stack in order to achieve the same performance levels as the NH-D15. The fan clips for installing a second fan are included with the NH-D15S.
Does the NF-A15 PWM that comes with Noctua coolers run at a different speed (1500rpm) than the retail model (1200rpm)?
Does the mounting-system support LGA2011 based Xeon CPUs?

Why is the cooler’s contact surface slightly convex?
Why doesn't the base of Noctua coolers have a polished, mirror like finish?
Is the cooler compatible with LGA775 and LGA1366?
How can I check if my Noctua CPU cooler already includes AM4 mounting parts?
- Check the socket compatibility specifications on the packaging. If they include AM4, AM4 parts are included.
- Opening the packaging, check the printing on the accessories box. If the AMD parts pictured on the box include both a white and a grey spacer, the cooler supports AM4.
- Opening the accessories box, check the AMD bag. If it includes both white and grey spacers, the cooler supports AM4.
- Check if the AMD bag contains either NM-AMB8 or NM-AMB11 mounting bars.




Is it possible to use the cooler with vertical graphic cards?
How can I check whether my case is wide/high enough for the cooler?
Is it a problem that the CPU heatspreader is not covered completely by the heatsinkbase on LGA2011-3?
How can I check whether my AMD mainboard has a standard AMD backplate that’s compatible with the SecuFirm2™ mounting system and how should I proceed with the installation?
In order to proceed with the installation of your Noctua cooler, please remove the four screws and the retention module but keep the backplate in place so that you can see the screw threads from the top side of the motherboard (see third picture below). You can then proceed with the installation of the SecuFirm2™ mounting kit as described in the manual (see fourth picture below).




Is the cooler compatible with the LGA2011-3 socket?
How big is the NH-D15S and how much clearance does it provide for RAM and mainboard heatsinks?
Please refer to the following drawing for the exact measurements and clearance for RAM and motherboard heatsinks:
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