We analyzed the Noctua NH-U12A heatsink, a great heatsink that seeks to offer performance and low noise. This heatsink follows the line of solutions of the company, which is characterized by offering great solutions. It has two NF-A12x25 fans with the company's own brown color range. For Noctua the important thing is not the design, something that is changing, the important thing is the performance and the durability.
To offer the highest possible cooling capacity, two high-performance fans have been installed. Additionally, 7 heatpipes start from the base that distribute the heat through all the aluminum fins. It is an excellent heatsink and compatible with Intel and AMD processors.
[amazon box="B07PN4RDW3"]Table of Contents
Unboxing Noctua NH-U12A
The NH-U12A heatsink comes in the typical Noctua box with brown images and a white background. We can see the name in large on the sides with the complete specifications on the photo of the heatsink base. The box, as always, gives us a wealth of product information.
Inside we find the heatsink perfectly protected by cardboard protection elements. The brand is also characterized by using the minimum possible amount of elements derived from petroleum, something that is appreciated. The first thing we see is the heatsink as well as a box on the side that contains different elements that we will need.
The box on the side contains Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste, one of the best on the market. It contains the AMD and Intel brackets, as well as all the necessary hardware kit. It incorporates an Allen key with a star point for the screws at the base of the heatsink. We found two fan extensions as well as adapters. Finally there is also a Noctua sticker.
Features Noctua NH-U12A
Noctua is a recognized brand in the hardware world for offering high-performance and high-performance products, and this heatsink is no less. Thinking of all kinds of setups, the heatsink is quite compact. The NH-U12A has dimensions of 158x125x112mm with both fans installed. Note that the two installed fans are 120mm.
Both fans are the NF-A12x25 PWM, as we said, they are 120mm, the size that we could call 'standard'. The two fans are characterized by being PWM, allowing to operate between 450RPM and 2000RPM. Working at full capacity it can offer up to 102.1m3 / h with a maximum loudness of 22.6dBA. They have the finish in brown tones typical of the brand, without more, without LEDs and other ornaments that do not provide.
We move on to the heatsink block, which is made up of no less than 50 high-efficiency aluminum fins. These aluminum fins are traversed by a total of 7 nickel-plated copper heatpipes. The aluminum fins start from the base in contact with the processor, to offer the highest possible efficiency. In addition to being a heatsink compatible with Intel and AMD processors.
Specifications Noctua NH-U12A
| Socket compatible | Intel LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA2011, LGA2066 and AMD AM4, AM3 (+), AM2 (+), FM1, FM2 (+) |
| Height (without fan) | 158 mm |
| Width (without fan) | 125 mm |
| Depth (without fan) | 58 mm |
| Weight (without fan) | 760 gr |
| Height (with fan) | 158 mm |
| Width (with fan) | 125 mm |
| Depth (with fan) | 112 mm |
| Weight (with fan) | 1220 gr |
| Material | Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminum (cooling fins), soldered joints, nickel-plated |
| Fan size | Size 120x120x25 |
| Package | 2x premium NF-A12x25 PWM fan 2x noise reduction adapter (LNA) Y-shaped cable Thermal compound NT-H1 SecuFirm2 mounting system Noctua Case-Badge in metal |
Specifications Noctua NF-A12x25PWM
| Tread | SSO2 |
| Rotation speed max. (+/- 10%) | RPM 2000 |
| Rotation speed with LNA max. (+/- 10%) | RPM 1700 |
| Rotation speed min. (PWM, +/- 20%) | RPM 450 |
| Flow max. | 102,1 m³ / h |
| Flow rate with LNA max. | 84,5 m³ / h |
| Loudness max. | 22,6 dB (A) |
| Loudness with LNA max. | 18,8 dB (A) |
| Voltage | 12 V |
| MTTF> | 150.000 h |
Institutional
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Conclusion
The Noctua NH-U12A heatsink is an excellent solution for those looking for high efficiency and low noise. The fans offer very good performance with very low noise thanks to the company's own bearings. We must bear in mind that we will not have problems in terms of its installation, since it does not touch the RAM memories. Finally, we highlight that this heatsink is compatible with Intel and AMD processors.
- Compatible with AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i9-9900K
- Low loudness
- High efficiency
- Full compatibility with any RAM module
- Includes one NT-H1 thermal paste unit
- Height not compatible with all chassis on the market
- Price equal somewhat high
