Noctua NH-C12P CPU Cooler Review
Noctua is a name that is quickly becoming synonymous with quality cooling for your CPU and your system. They seem to always be researching and developing new and effective ways to improve their already great line of products, which only really benefits us, the end user. We should be thankful there are companies out there like Noctua that put the interests and needs of users first and foremost in their business model.
Today for review I’ve got something special, something that no one on this side of the ocean has yet actually, the Noctua NH-C12P CPU cooler. Noctua has honored us with the privilege of being their US launch partner for their new CPU cooler. The C12P continues Noctua’s tradition of striving for performance without sacrificing quality along the way. The C12P is like no other Noctua designed cooler to date, and not much like any other CPU cooler I’ve even seen actually. It incorporates six heatpipes into a short, fat style body that Noctua calls a ‘C-Type’ design with airflow gaps that allow cooling of the motherboard components as well. This design allows for a much higher compatibility with more motherboards and PC case configurations, where a tall CPU cooler won’t fit the NH-C12P will fit easily. The NH-C12P uses Noctua’s own NF-P12 120mm fan for cooling so you know it will be quiet as well. The Noctua NH-C12P is possibly the best cooler on the market today, from my testing and re-testing it beats all others I have for comparison, and that includes names like Thermalright, Scythe, Zalman, and OCZ. I was so surprised by the results of my testing that I re-did the testing all over again to be sure of my results, and they were the same, the NH-C12P is the new king of CPU coolers…
So, please continue on to learn more about what could possibly be one of the best CPU coolers on the market today…
Author: Kristofer Brozio
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
Overview
Sporting 6 heat pipes and the award-winning, psycho-acoustically optimized NF-P12 120mm
fan, the NH-C12P achieves excellent performance and outstanding quietness. The down-facing c-type design doesn‘t only allow for optimal motherboard and case compatibility, but also
provides additional cooling for motherboard components through two Airlow-Gaps. Outfitted with the professional SecuFirm™ mounting system and Noctua‘s much acclaimed NT-H1 thermal compound, the NH-C12P is a premium-class silent cooler through and through.
Features:
6 heat pipes
6 heat pipes, excellently soldered joints and widely spaced cooling ins guarantee optimal heat dissipation even at low fan speeds.
Excellent compatibility
The down-facing c-type design allows for low height as well as excellent motherboard and case compatibility.
C-type design with Airflow Gaps
Due to the down-facing design and two large Airflow Gaps, the NH-C12P provides additional cooling for near socket motherboard components.
SecuFirm™ multi-socket mounting system
Noctua‘s professional SecuFirm™ mounting system for LGA 775, AM2 and AM2+ provides superior reliability and contact pressure. Xeon, Socket F and K8 (939, 940, 754) kits are available on re-quest.
NF-P12 120mm premium fan
The award-winning NF-P12 has been specifically developed for high-impedance applications such as CPU coolers. Thanks to psychoacoustic optimizations and Noctua‘s premium-grade SSO-bearing,
the NF-P12 achieves exceptional quietness and long-term stability.
Noctua NT-H1 high-end thermal compound
Noctua‘s much-acclaimed NT-H1 is an pro-grade TIM solution that provides minimum thermal resistance, excellent ease-of-use and out-standing long-term stability.
Specifications:
Socket compatibility Intel Socket LGA 775, AMD AM2 & AM2+, Intel Xeon on re-
quest, AMD K8 (754, 939, 940) & Socket F on request
Height: (without fan) 91mm
Width: (without fan) 126mm
Depth: (without fan) 152mm
Height: (with fan) 114mm
Width: (with fan) 126mm
Depth: (with fan) 152mm
Weight: (without fan) 550g
Weight: (with fan) 730g
Material: Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminum (cooling fins), soldered joints, nickel plated
Application: Intel: all frequencies, AMD: all frequencies
Fan compatibility: 120 x 120 x 25 mm / 120 x 120 x 38 mm
Scope of Delivery:
-NF-P12 premium fan
-Ultra-Low-Noise-Adapter (U.L.N.A.)
-NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound
-SecuFirm™ mounting kits for LGA & AM2(+)
Warranty: 6 Years
Fan Specs:
Model: Noctua NF-P12
Bearing: SSO-Bearing
Rotational Speed: (+/- 10%) 1300 rpm
Rotational Speed with L.N.A:. (1100 rpm +/- 10%)
Rotational Speed with U.L.N.A.: (900 rpm +/- 10%)
Airflow: 92,3 m³/h
Airflow with L.N.A.: 78,5 m³/h
Airflow with U.L.N.A.: 63,4 m³/h
Acoustical Noise: 19,8 dB(A)
Acoustical Noise with L.N.A.: 16,9 dB(A)
Acoustical Noise with U.L.N.A.: 12,6 dB(A)
Input Power: 1,08 W
Voltage: 12 V
MTBF: > 150.000 h
Price and availability:
The NH-C12P is available immediately at a recommended price of EUR 59.90 / USD 69.90
About Noctua:
Noctua comes from a cooperation between the Austrian Rascom Computerdistribution Ges.m.b.H and the Taiwanese Kolink International Corporation and has a development partnership with the Austrian Institute of Heat Transmission and Fan Technology (Österreichisches Institut für Wärmeübertragung und Ventilatorentechnik, ÖIWV). These connections form the key to the development of sound-optimised premium components “Designed in Austria”: The partnership with the ÖIWV permits the application of latest technology in methods of scientific measurement instrumentation, calculation and simulation in the R&D process. Rascom’s long, customer-orientated experience in developing and distributing sound-optimised high-end components ensures a clear focus on the users’ needs. The use of Kolink’s advanced manufacturing technology and ultra-modern production plants allows Noctua to efficiently implement its technical edge and provide solutions of the highest standard in quality and performance to the customer.