Noctua NH-L12 review
1. basic features, specifications
Review Pages
2. A closer look, installation
3. Thermal and noise tests
4. Closing thoughts
Manufacturer | Noctua |
Model | |
Price | $72 |
Category | HTPC Users |
We have in our labs a new product by Noctua, designed to meet the cooling requirements of a CPU found on a typically compact in size HTPC.The NH-L12 cpu is a low-profile cooler, flexible enough to operate in a single or a dual fan configuration. Depending on your needs, the cooler can be installed as it comes out of the box with a NF-F12 (120mm) / NF-B9 (92mm) dual PWM fan, or as an extra-low profile (66mm) cooler with the top fan removed.
The device has not been designed for demanding overclocked systems, so expect a good cooling efficiency with CPUs with up to 95W TDP. So it is advised to check the CPU compatibility list and of course whether your motherboard is compatible with the NH-L12 before you buy this product.
- Product features
- Fan Size: Noctua NF-F12 PWM & NF-B9 PWM. Compatibility: Intel LGA 2011, LGA 1366, LGA 1156, LGA775, AMD, AMD2 AM2+, AM3, AM 3+, FM 1 (Backplate required). Bearing: SSO-Bearing (Self-stabilizing oil-pressure bearing). RPM +/- 10%: 1500/1600 RPM (Max), 1200/1300 RPM(w/L.N.A).
- Material: Copper (Base and Heat-pipes), Alum.(cooling Fins), Soldered Joints, Nickel Plated. Dimension : 5.04-Inchx5.9-Inchx 2.6-Inch (Without Fan), 5.04-Inchx5.9-Inchx 3.66-Inch (With Fan). Weight: 1.0 Lbs (Without Fan), 1.5 Lbs (With Fan)
- Min Rotation Speed (PWM): 300/300RPM. Air Flow: 93.4/64.3m³/h (Max), 74.3/52.6 m³/h (w/L.N.A.), 63.4m³/h (W/U.L.N.A). Acoustical Noise: 22.4/17.6 dB(A) (Max), 18.6/13.1dB(A)(w/L.N.A ). Input Power: 0.6/0.96W.Voltage Range : 12V.MTBF > 150,000h.
120/92mm dual fan design Thanks to its exquisite dual fan setup consisting of Noctua’s NF-F12 (120mm) and NF-B9 (92mm) premium fans, the NH-L12 pushes the bar in terms of low-profile quiet cooling performance. |
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Extra-low profile in 92mm single-fan mode The NH-L12 can be used with the NF-B9 92mm fan only in order to reduce the overall height to 66mm. This way, the cooler is suitable for many typical µATX or Mini-ITX enclosures and ideal for whisper-quiet HTPC systems. |
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PWM support and Low-Noise Adaptors The NH-L12’s NF-F12 and NF-B9 fans support PWM for convenient automatic speed control. In addition, the maximum fan speed can be reduced to 1200/1300rpm using the supplied Low-Noise Adaptors for even quieter operation. |
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SecuFirm2 mounting system Noctua’s SecuFirm2 multi-socket mounting provides broad socket compatibility (LGA 2011, LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA775, AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1) and meets the highest demands in safety, performance and ease-of-use. |
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Mini-ITX mounting without backplate Some Intel based Mini-ITX mainboards don’t allow for the installation of backplates. The NH-L12 thus comes with an extra set of Intel mounting bolts which make it possible to install the cooler without using the SecuFirm2 backplate. |
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NT-H1 thermal compound Noctua's NT-H1 is a well proven pro-grade TIM solution that provides minimum thermal resistance, excellent ease-of-use and reliability. |
- Specifications
Socket compatibility | Intel LGA2011 (Square ILM), LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA775 & AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1 (backplate required) | |
Height (without fan) | 66 mm | |
Width (without fan) | 128 mm | |
Depth (without fan) | 150 mm | |
Height (with fan) | 93 mm | |
Width (with fan) | 128 mm | |
Depth (with fan) | 150 mm | |
Weight (without fan) | 415 g | |
Weight (with fan) | 680 g | |
Material | Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating | |
Fan compatibility | 120x120x25mm & 92x92x25mm | |
Scope of Delivery | ||
Warranty | 6 Years | |
Fan specifications | ||
Model | Noctua NF-F12 PWM & Noctua NF-B9 PWM | |
Bearing | SSO-Bearing | |
Max. Rotational Speed (+/- 10%) | 1500 / 1600 RPM | |
Max. Rotational Speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%) | 1200 / 1300 RPM | |
Min. Rotational Speed (PWM) | 300 / 300 RPM | |
Max. Airflow | 93,4 / 64,3 m³/h | |
Max. Airflow with L.N.A. | 74,3 / 52,6 m³/h | |
Max. Acoustical Noise | 22,4 / 17,6 dB(A) | |
Max. Acoustical Noise with L.N.A. | 18,6 / 13,1 dB(A) | |
Input Power | 0,6 / 0,96 W | |
Voltage Range | 12 V | |
MTBF | > 150.000 h |
Review Pages
2. A closer look, installation
3. Thermal and noise tests
4. Closing thoughts