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The NH-D9L is a premium grade dual tower CPU cooler that has been designed to provide excellent quiet cooling performance at a height of only 110mm. Its comparably low profile (15mm lower than classic 9cm tower coolers such as the NH-U9S) doesn’t only guarantee full 3U compliance but also makes the NH-D9L ideal for compact HTPC and Small Form Factor cases that have airflow paths parallel to the mainboard. Thanks to its 95x95mm footprint, the NH-D9L clears the RAM and PCIe slots on all Intel based and most AMD based ITX mainboards. The included NF-A9 premium fan supports automatic speed control via PWM for outstanding quietness of operation and a second, optional NF-A9 fan can be added 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-D9L forms a highly compact premium package for space-restricted applications.
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Low-profile tower design for better airflow efficiency
While most low-profile coolers blow air towards the motherboard, the NH-D9L is a tower style cooler that bows parallel to the mainboard, which allows for superior airflow efficiency in cases with front intake and rear exhaust fans that create an airflow path parallel to the mainboard.
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3U compatibility
Whereas classic 9cm coolers with up to 125mm height fit 4U rack mount cases, the NH-D9L's reduced height of 110mm allows it to also fit 3U chassis. This makes it ideal for noise-sensitive 3U applications in fields such as audio or video processing.
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100% RAM compatibility
With its 95x95mm footprint, the NH-D9L does not overhang the RAM slots on current Intel and most AMD mainboards. This gives the user full access to the memory modules and guarantees 100% compatibility with tall heatspreaders or optional memory fans.*
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100% compatibility with PCIe cards on mini-ITX
Many Intel LGA115x based mini-ITX motherboards have the PCIe slot sitting right next to the 95x95mm socket zone. While larger coolers that exceed this zone are likely to block the PCIe slot, the 95x95xmm sized NH-D9L provides full compatibility with PCIe cards, be it on ATX, microATX or ITX.
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NF-A9 premium fan
The highly optimised features Noctua's proprietary AAO frame as well as sophisticated aerodynamic design measures such as Flow Acceleration Channels, which allows it to further improve the renowned efficiency of Noctua's previous 92mm models and contributes to the NH-D9L' superior cooling performance.
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PWM support and Low-Noise Adaptor
The NF-A9 92mm fan supplied with the NH-D9L supports PWM for convenient automatic speed control through the motherboard. In addition, the maximum fan speed can be reduced from 2000 to 1550rpm using the supplied Low-Noise Adaptor for even quieter operation.
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Dual fan ready
The NH-D9L includes an extra set of fan mounting clips for users who want to achieve even better cooling performance by adding a second, optional NF-A9 to the front fin stack. Using the y-cable supplied with the NF-A9 PWM retail fan, both fans can be connected to one CPU fan header.**
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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-D9L 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-D9L 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-A9 features an MTTF rating of more than 150.000 hours and the entire NH-D9L package comes with a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty.
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*Some AMD mainboards violate the 96x114mm keep-out zone specified by AMD, so the NH-D9L can only be used with RAM modules of up to 30mm height on these boards. Please consult our compatibility list for details.
**The optional front fan will sit above the RAM and depending on the height of the RAM modules, the fan may have to be moved up so far that the total height of the cooler exceeds 110mm. As a result, the cooler may no longer fit some 3U cases. In order to guarantee full 3U compatibility in dual fan mode, please use low profile memory with up to 22mm height.
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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)
110 mm
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Width (without fan)
95 mm
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Depth (without fan)
95 mm
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Weight (without fan)
428 g
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Height (with fan)
110 mm
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Width (with fan)
95 mm
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Depth (with fan)
95 mm
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Weight (with fan)
531 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
92x92x25
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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%)
2000 RPM
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Max. rotational speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%)
1550 RPM
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Min. rotational speed (PWM, +/-20%)
400 RPM
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78,9 m³/h
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Max. acoustical noise
22,8 dB(A)
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Max. acoustical noise with L.N.A.
16,3 dB(A)
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Input power
1,2 W
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Voltage range
12 V
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MTTF
> 150.000 h
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NH-D9L Review
When it comes to cooling your system, there are few that do that job better than Noctua. While the cooler may not have had the best cooling performance we’ve ever seen, this much was to be expected, as it is still quite a compact unit. It’s also impressive how many systems this cooler is compatible with, thanks to 100% ram compatibility and a design that shouldn’t conflict with any motherboard VRM, compact and low-profile chassis’ should be an issue and so much more. However, what really shines through is the acoustic performance, as I literally could not hear this cooler running without the fan blades hitting my ears! Obviously, this wasn’t the case after prolonged load on a heavily overclocked CPU, but this cooler wasn’t design for that task anyway.
The build quality is as good as it gets and from the contact plate to the tip of the heat pipes, it’s easy to see that a lot of care has gone into the material choices and construction. This is also one of the reasons the price is a bit higher that similar price and performance products, as the Noctua product has a sublime six-year warranty and I’ve no doubt it’ll long outlast even that. The same can be said for the fan, Noctua fans are regarded as some of the finest in the world, it’ll stay cool and quiet for a very long time.
If you’re on the market for a compact, powerful, whisper-quiet cooler that doesn’t cost the Earth, then you’ll be very happy with what Noctua have to offer here. It’s a perfect cooler for a non-overclocked CPU, a workstation or office system.
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Test verdict: "Compact, well made and excellent value for money, the Noctua NH-D9L is perfect for those that want a quiet, reliable and widely compatible CPU cooler." (Peter Donnell, eTeknix.com)
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NH-D9L Review
The Noctua NH-D9L performed very well considering its size being the smallest heatsink in the set. Performance level is very similar to the extremely popular and larger CM Hyper 212+ and dual NH-U9B SE2 in the standardized overclocked test. It placed last in the stock benchmarks but handled overclocks better than the dual-fan NH-U9B SE2 once additional voltage is introduced and the CPU was overclocked. Adding a second NF-A9 fan to the NH-D9L pushed performance closer to the NH-U9S. In terms of noise level, the NF-A9 fan on the NH-D9L is also the quietest and even with the added fan, it is still quieter than the previous generation NH-U9B SE2 which is running at a lower RPM.
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Test verdict: " heatsink with such small footprint is designed primarily to be able to fit in tight-spaced situations unlike regular tower coolers so it will be unfair to just strictly look at the NH-D9L from a cooling performance standpoint but it manages to impress even out of that context. The dual-tower design also allows it to provide superior clearance even compared to the NH-U9S when it comes to either RAM, PCI-E expansion card or MOSFET heatsinks. The NH-D9L also boasts a mere 110mm height clearance which fits under 3U specifications. Coupled with the NF-A9 low noise fan, the NH-D9L not only finds usefulness inside HTPC systems but also noise sensitive audio/video production workstations." (Ron Perillo, Modders-Inc.com)
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NH-D9L Review
The Noctua NH-U9S and NH-D9L are welcome additions to the Noctua line of high quality CPU coolers. They expand cooling options for Silent PC enthusiasts seeking smaller quiet systems. Both of these coolers are very close to the size of the long discontinued Scythe Ninja Mini, a unique short tower heatsink in its day. The 110mm and 125mm height clearance and small footprint of these coolers allows them to be used in much smaller cases than tower coolers normally allow. They fare well in comparison to both tower and top-down 120mm fan heatsinks, though they can't challenge the best tested on our LGA1155 platform. The improved performance with an additional fan in push-pull mode at very low noise levels makes these coolers even more versatile.
The big plus for the PC builder is that they're almost as low profile as the bigger top-down fan heatsinks, but have the advantage of blowing the heat out towards a nearby back or top panel vent. The efficient evacuation of heat from the case is a key element in quiet PC cooling. We've already used the NH-D9L successfully in such a role in two recent small Gaming Build Guides — Quiet Mini-ITX Gaming Build Guide #2: NCASE M1 Edition and Journey to a Silent MicroATX Gamer. In both of these builds the only other cooler we know of that might have fulfilled the same role is the NH-U9S.
The traditional Noctua strengths of excellent secure mounting, ease of installation and thoughtful accessories combine with the absence of any real competition from other brands to make them compelling.
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Test verdict: "[I]f small and quiet is beautiful to you, these new 92mm fan tower coolers from Noctua are tough to beat." (Mike Chin, SilentPCReview.com)
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NH-D9L Review
En el grafico anterior podemos observar las temperaturas alcanzadas por el Noctua NH-D9L con uno o dos ventiladores. Vemos así como con una temperatura ambiente de 17ºC, alcanzamos los 66.5-67.75ºC bajo carga de trabajo (3.90 GHz) y subimos hasta los 83-84ºC realizando cierto overclocking al procesador (4.20 GHz). Teniendo en cuenta que nuestro i7-4770K es muy muy calentorro, son excelentes temperaturas para mantenerlo bien fresco con un uso convencional.
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Test verdict: "El Noctua NH-D9L es quizás uno de los mejores disipadores compactos que podemos encontrar en el mercado, pues con su altura de tan solo 110 mm permite ser instalado en chasis realmente estrechos. Su rendimiento está a la altura de lo que una marca como Noctua garantiza y más aún su sonoridad, por lo que su única pega puede ser el diseño de los ventiladores que no termina de convencer a todo el público." (Iván Martínez, El Chapuzas Informático)
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NH-D9L Review
Für Home-Theater-PCs, Small-Formfaktor-Konfigurationen oder auch kompakte Gaming-Rigs, bei denen das Hauptaugenmerk weniger auf einer High-End-CPU mit allzu hoher TDP liegt, können sowohl der NH-U9S als auch der NH-D9L mit ausgezeichneter Qualität und Verarbeitung punkten, wie wir es von Noctua gewohnt sind. Auch das Gesamtpaket mit einem anpassungsfreudigen PWM-Lüfter, der Möglichkeit einen zusätzlichen Fan problemlos zu integrieren und damit weitere Leistungsreserven auszuschöpfen sowie die Tatsache, dass vom Montagematerial bis hin zu kleinen Details wie einer - "gütig"- mangels anderen Wortes - dimensionierten Einheit Wärmeleitpaste oder dem hochwertigen Case-Badge keinerlei Kompromisse eingegangen wurden, zeichnen die beiden Kühler aus.
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Test verdict: "Auch wenn es sich bei den beiden neuen Kühlern von Noctua um keine Modelle mit brachialer Cooling-Performance handelt, liegen die verzeichneten Temperaturen in einem Bereich, der einige deutlich ausladendere Konkurrenten überflügelt. Zudem muss sich vor Augen geführt werden, in welchen Einsatzgebieten die Verwendung eines derart kompakten CPU-Coolers sinnvoll ist. Die kleinen Würfel machen aufgrund ihrer großen Kompatibilität mit umliegenden Bauteilen des Systems und der besonders im Falle des NH-D9L geringen Bauhöhe vor allem in kompakten Systemen viel her." (William Zwingenberger, PC-Max.de)
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NH-D9L Review
+ nemá iadnu priamu
alternatívu
+ veľmi sluný výkon pri max. otáčkach + účinnosť porovnateľná s mainstreamovými tandardne vysokými chladičmi + nadtandardná podpora zo strany výrobcu (predzvesť kompatibility i o niekoľko rokov) + stabilná a pohodlná montá k základnej doske + prvotriedne dielenské spracovanie pasívu + osvedčené dlhoveké ventilátory s tichým motorčekom + nezasahuje do priestoru pamäťových slotov |
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Test verdict: "NH-D9L je u ale svojim spôsobom unikát a vo svojej
kategórii nemá prakticky iadnu konkurenciu. Skrátka,
lepí veovitý chladič okolo 110 mm, ne akým
je Noctua NH-D9L, neexistuje udeľujeme 'We Want It!'."
(Ľubomír Samák, ExtraHardware.cz)
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NH-D9L Review
Der NH-D9L ist unter 7V Lüfterspannung sehr leise, selbst mit einer Doppelbelüftung steigt der Wert auf maximal 36,1dB. Dieser Wert deckt sich 1:1 mit dem des NH-U9S. Unter 12V ist er mit 39,7 respektive 40,9dB bei zwei montierten Lüftern minimal leiser als der Testpartner. Im Gegensatz zum NH-U9S skaliert der Kühler sehr stark mit einem zweiten Lüfter; schade, dass ausgerechnet dieser bei unserem Mainboard die beiden vorderen Ram-Slots blockiert.
Auch hier kann die Lüfterdrehzahl durch den beiliegenden L.N.A. auf maximal 1550 Umdrehungen gedrosselt werden.
Die CPU erreicht maximal 39 bzw. 34°C bei 7V Lüfterspannung, mit gesteigerter Umdrehungszahl sind es 34 respektive 30°C. Wird die Vcore erhöht und eine Lüfterspannung von 7V gewählt, werden Temperaturen von 61 bzw. 51°C erreicht. Mit 12V sind es nur noch 44 bzw. 41°C. Damit kann sich der NH-D9L einen Platz im oberen Mittelfeld sichern.
Neben der ausgewachsenen Kühlleistung und dem umfangreichen Zubehör samt 6 jähriger Garantie und potenter Serienbelüftung erhält der Käufer ein durchdachtes Kühlkonzept, was einen Preis von 50€ rechtfertigt.
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Test verdict: "Noctua hat mit den kompakten Kühlern NH-U9S sowie NH-D9L zwei sehr potente Produkte auf den Markt geworfen, die sich, obwohl sie mit einer Grundfläche von nicht mal 10cm2 ideal für uATX und ITX Gaming Systeme geeignet sind, nicht vor den großen Konkurrenzprodukten – auch aus den eigenen Reihen – verstecken müssen." (Denis Emmerich, AwardFabrik.de)
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NH-D9L Review
Frère de l'excellent NH-U9S mais avec une compatibilité serveur 3U le NH-D9L propose une qualité de fabrication tout simplement excellente, le bundle est comme d'habitude très fourni, le montage est très simple grâce au système secufirm2 et la compatibilité mémoire ainsi que le premier port PCIe est totale! Du côté des performances il fait quasiment jeu égal avec le NH-U9S et compte tenu de sa taille s'en sort vraiment très bien, que ce soit avec 1 ou 2 ventilateurs. Les nuisances sonores sont très bonnes à part si le ventilateur est alimenté en 12V, le mode PWM restera le meilleur choix.
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Test verdict: "Le Noctua NH-D9L est un excellent choix lors du montage d'une configuration PC mini-ITX, un HTPC de très petite taille ou encore un serveur au format 3U qui se veut silencieux, du fait de ses très bonnes performances pour sa taille." (Christian Marchini, Conseil Config)
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NH-D9L Review
El D9L está en la misma línea al resto de ventiladores y disipadores de Noctua. Nos ofrece una bajísima sonoridad como nos tiene acostumbrada la marca y una excelentes temperaturas. Bien es cierto que la temperatura ambiente juega un papel importante en este tipo de análisis pero los resultados siguen siendo realmente sorprendentes.
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Test verdict: "Si no estás pensando en hacer un OC extremo a tu procesador y quieres un disipador con calidad, rendimiento y baja sonoridad en una caja semitorre el D9L es una opción muy recomendada." (Miguel Ángel Garcia, PCPRO.es)
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NH-D9L Review
Pros:
- Diseño en doble Torre
- Compatibilidad 100% con Ram
- Compatibilidad 100% con Tarjetas graficas
- Soporte de Bajo Ruido con Adaptador
- compatibilidad con Socket Antiguos
- 6 Años de Garantía
contras:
-Nada que destacar
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Test verdict: "Sin duda los resultados que vimos nos dejaron bastante satisfechos no solo por la buena disipación, si no también por el buen desempeño del fan que se incluye en este modelo de la marca Noctua" (David Martinez, MasterBitzReviews)
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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.

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
How big is the NH-D9L and how much clearance does it provide for RAM and mainboard heatsinks?
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with AMD AM4 (Ryzen)?
I’ve used all the NT-H1 thermal compound that came with the cooler, can you send me more?
Can I upgrade my existing Noctua cooler to socket TR4 or SP3?
How should I clean my Noctua cooler?
Which sockets are supported or can be supported using upgrade kits?
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?
My Intel CPU is running too hot although my heatsink supports the specified TDP, what's the problem?
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?
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?
Why doesn't the supplied backplate fit my LGA2066 / LGA2011 motherboard?
I can't open the socket due to the mounting bars!
Can the cooler be installed turned by 90° on AMD sockets?
Does the package include a backplate for AMD AM2(+)/AM3(+)/FM1/FM2(+)?
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?
Is the cooler compatible with the LGA2011-3 socket?
How can I check whether my case is wide/high enough for the cooler?
Is it possible to use the cooler with vertical graphic cards?
How can I check if my Noctua CPU cooler already includes AM4 mounting parts?
Is the cooler compatible with LGA775 and LGA1366?
Should I take the cooler off before transporting my system?
Why doesn't the base of Noctua coolers have a polished, mirror like finish?
Is the cooler compatible with the LGA1151 socket?
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
How big is the NH-D9L and how much clearance does it provide for RAM and mainboard heatsinks?

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
I’ve used all the NT-H1 thermal compound that came with the cooler, can you send me more?
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.
Which sockets are supported or can be supported using upgrade kits?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Why doesn't the supplied backplate fit my LGA2066 / LGA2011 motherboard?
I can't open the socket due to the mounting bars!


Can the cooler be installed turned by 90° on AMD sockets?
Does the package include a backplate for AMD AM2(+)/AM3(+)/FM1/FM2(+)?

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 the cooler compatible with the LGA2011-3 socket?
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 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 it possible to use the cooler with vertical graphic cards?
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 the cooler compatible with LGA775 and LGA1366?
Should I take the cooler off before transporting my system?
Why doesn't the base of Noctua coolers have a polished, mirror like finish?
Is the cooler compatible with the LGA1151 socket?
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
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