News Noctua presents NH-U12A premium class 120mm CPU cooler

ao_ika_red

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From Noctua's press release:
Vienna, March 19th 2019 – Noctua today presented its new NH-U12A premium-quality quiet CPU cooler. The NH-U12A is the latest, 5th generation of Noctua’s award-winning U12 series of 120mm size coolers. Conceived to push the envelope of the 120mm form factor, it combines two of Noctua’s flagship model NF-A12x25 PWM 120mm fans with a completely redesigned heatsink featuring 7 heatpipes and an increased fin surface area for superior heat dissipation. This way, the NH-U12A can rival the performance of many 140mm sized coolers while offering 120mm class case and PCIe compatibility.

“The original NH-U12 was the very first product we introduced back in 2005 and the U12 series has been at the core of our product line-up ever since,” explains Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO). “Today, we’re proud to continue this successful legacy by introducing the 5th generation that provides even better quiet cooling performance, which enables it to compete with much larger units while offering superior compatibility. In a nutshell, the NH-U12A is an ideal choice for customers who are looking for a cutting-edge cooler that’s hassle-free to integrate in most setups.”

First introduced in 2005, Noctua’s NH-U12 series has won more than 600 awards and recommendations from leading international hardware websites and magazines. The NH-U12A is the latest addition to this prestigious series that has established itself as a benchmark for premium-quality quiet 120mm coolers. Thanks to its completely revised, thoroughly optimised 7 heatpipe layout, 37% more fin surface area (as compared to the NH-U12S) and a dual fan push/pull configuration that uses the new, state-of-the-art NF-A12x25 fans, the NH-U12A pushes the performance envelope in the 120mm class and can actually match or even outperform many 140mm sized coolers.

At the same time, the NH-U12A offers significant advantages in RAM, case and PCIe compatibility when compared to larger 140mm class coolers: Due to its asymmetric design, it does not overhang the RAM slots on Intel LGA115x and AMD AM4 based motherboards, which ensures easy access and 100% compatibility with modules that have tall heat-spreaders. As far as case compatibility is concerned, the 158mm tall cooler is short enough to fit most modern mid- or high-end tower cases. Measuring 125mm wide (including fan and fan clips), the NH-U12A stays clear of the top PCIe slot on most standard ATX or Micro-ATX motherboards, ensuring optimum compatibility with multi-GPU setups.

Topped off with the trusted, pro-grade SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting system, Noctua’s proven NT-H1 thermal compound and a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty, the NH-U12A is a deluxe choice that combines top-tier performance with excellent compatibility and outstanding quietness of operation.

Price and availability
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is EUR/USD 99.90. The cooler is already available via Noctua’s official Amazon and eBay stores. Other sales partners will receive stock shortly.
noctua_nh_u12a_1.png
noctua_nh_u12a_7.jpg

 

aigomorla

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100 dollars for an air sink....

:eek:

Man one of the reasons why i dont go back to air, and find watercooling for once financially more feasible.
 
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mnewsham

Lifer
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To be fair, this air cooler IS one of the top performing units, $100 isn't a super crazy price considering it gets similar performance to similar priced AIO water cooled units from Corsair and others.

Hell, the 120mm fans it comes with go for $30 a pop right now anyway.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C5VG64V
 
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UsandThem

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100 dollars for an air sink....

:eek:

Man one of the reasons why i dont go back to air, and find watercooling for once financially more feasible.

If the performance is as good as they claim compared to their larger and heavier coolers, it's not that much more than some of their existing units.

I know you like your water, but for sticks-in-the-mud like myself, I love a good 'ole quiet heatsink where the only thing that can go wrong with it really, is the fan. And that fan is covered by a 7 year warranty, and Noctua has great customer service. :)
 
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aigomorla

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If the performance is as good as they claim compared to their larger and heavier coolers, it's not that much more than some of their existing units.

I know you like your water, but for sticks-in-the-mud like myself, I love a good 'ole quiet heatsink where the only thing that can go wrong with it really, is the fan. And that fan is covered by a 7 year warranty, and Noctua has great customer service. :)

i just dont think any heat sink is worth 100 dollars if its air.

Its inflation at its best.
There isn't much you can do to revolutionize a heat pipe cooler. Tell me what more can you possibly do?
Unless you telling me they managed to gas exotic compounds to make the heat pipes super efficient, at best this heat sink should cost 79.99 and not 99.99. Or maybe a Graphite / Carbon base plate to make heat transfer super efficient to the said heat pipes. Or use some exotic metals in making the unit, it just doesnt sit well for me for a heat sink to be that expensive on air.

I'll honestly go the Water route as they are now pretty well made, and have a few fail overs.
If you use proper parts like going Barrow route, you can probably piece out a custom system for a little more then that, and have it be reliable on top.
Yeah shipping will probably kill you being 3-4 weeks, but you can always pay more for expedited shipping if your in a rush.

And fans costing 30 dollars.... Sigh.... seriously, i miss the good ol days when i could of gotten 4 yate loons DSH for that price and have it be just as good as noctuna IPC's.

I really hate what "gamers" did for our market.
Its sad that gamer gear is on par with enterprise gear now.
 

aigomorla

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and just as loud.

Well to be fair there were DSL's which were OEM NEXUS fans, which had great static numbers while holding very low dB.
Its difficult finding a fan without blingy LED's these days.
Its also difficult finding good static fans that don't come in premium boxes with a extremely high markup in price.

I still remember getting my yate loons wraped in seran wrap together without fancy boxes or RPM reducers costing $5.95 ea.

Its funny, SSD's, some CPU's and other hardware not specifically aimed at "Gamers" have gotten somewhat cheaper since those times, yet everything else that has GAMER / OVERCLOCKER has exploded in cost.
 
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UsandThem

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There isn't much you can do to revolutionize a heat pipe cooler. Tell me what more can you possibly do?

I'm not smart enough to understand all the science and design behind coolers, but if there was nothing left to improve upon, we all would still be using Zalman coolers. :p

I don't know how the new cooler will do when they review it, but I will say that redesigned 120mm fan on is a great fan. It holds its own against 140mm Noctua fans.

And fans costing 30 dollars.... Sigh.... seriously, i miss the good ol days when i could of gotten 4 yate loons DSH for that price and have it be just as good as noctuna IPC's.

It's not just fans that are getting stupid expensive. All that RGB nonsense adds costs to motherboards, video cards, cases, sound cards, RAM, etc. I will admit I had a hard time paying (I think) $27 for that new fan when it launched. I don't think I would ever spend more than for another fan however unless it is "cold with solution". ;)

I really hate what "gamers" did for our market.
Its sad that gamer gear is on par with enterprise gear now.

Agree 100%. I guess I don't care much how my components look, and I don't need my entire PC glowing like I'm watching a Pink Floyd laser show on acid, either. :p Damn kids get off my lawn (and stop putting RGB on everything)!

EG9M7cx.jpg
 

ao_ika_red

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I found this link with a video that states they say it offers near NH-D15 performance with the cooler around the same size as the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. It will be interesting to see the reviews on it to see if they hit those lofty goals.

https://linustechtips.com/main/topi...u12a-nh-d15-performance-in-a-hyper-212x-size/
Well, for starter, it has 1 more heatpipe than the old U12S and deploys 2 better fans instead of single fan. So actually, it's not a very long shot.
 

UsandThem

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Well, for starter, it has 1 more heatpipe than the old U12S and deploys 2 better fans instead of single fan. So actually, it's not a very long shot.

Valid points, but I have coolers like the NH-U14S and NH-U12S, and adding another fan to turn them into a push-pull configuration really doesn't do much at all.

Just looking at what they changed, it appears the increase in fin surface area, and the soldering between the fins and heatpipes are the biggest improvements compared to their previous designs.
 
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H T C

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Ever since i became aware of Noctua products, and after trying an NH-C12P cooler, i've became a fan of their products.

Very silent operation from the cooler's fan. Ever since then, i've purchased several fans for my case and i'm still using them to this day.

Purchased another cooler (NH-C14) around 2012 and i'm actually using it with my Ryzen 2600X. Had to get an AM4 mounting kit for it but, by providing the pic below, they sent me one for free. Not bad, considering this cooler has been discontinued for a few years.

20170805_100640.png
Covered in white are my full name and e-mail: both are required. Alternatively, an invoice of both the cooler + either board or CPU works as well.

Their products sure are expensive but their support is top notch and, whenever there's a new socket, the end up providing a mounting kit for older coolers for free, assuming the cooler's base is compatible.

Never had a single problem with any of their products: have two coolers + the fans that came with them + 5 extra fans for my cases. That said, this NH-U12A cooler is too expensive for me. I have no problems with 60 - 70 euros but 100 euros is too much, IMO. If i overclocked i could make use for it and that would justify the larger expenditure but, since i don't overclock, there's really no point.

Valid points, but I have coolers like the NH-U14S and NH-U12S, and adding another fan to turn them into a push-pull configuration really doesn't do much at all.

Just looking at what they changed, it appears the increase in fin surface area, and the soldering between the fins and heatpipes are the biggest improvements compared to their previous designs.

TPU's crazyeyesreaper will apparently be doing a review of this cooler: not yet certain but it looks that way.
 
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ao_ika_red

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I have no problems with 60 - 70 euros but 100 euros is too much, IMO. If i overclocked i could make use for it and that would justify the larger expenditure but, since i don't overclock, there's really no point.
Noctua create their own pricing problem ever since they released A12x25 fan for 30 USD. To make it worse they bundle this new cooler with two of them.
 

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
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Noctua create their own pricing problem ever since they released A12x25 fan for 30 USD. To make it worse they bundle this new cooler with two of them.
Yup, they have to reduce the cost of the new 120mm fan if they reduce the cost of the bundled NH-U12A.

I'm just hoping the new 140mm and redesigned NH-D15 come under $40 per fan and under $130 total price for the HSF.
 

aigomorla

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I actually love the C over D.
The reason being the C is pointed at the motherboard so it cools not only the cpu but the mosfets.
I have always been an avid mosfet cooler since my earily days in overclocking.

I even have about 4 NH-C14, however they did not cost anywhere near 100 dollars... lol..

i think i paid somewhere between 59.99 for the first one, and 74.99 for my last.
 

H T C

Senior member
Nov 7, 2018
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I actually love the C over D.
The reason being the C is pointed at the motherboard so it cools not only the cpu but the mosfets.
I have always been an avid mosfet cooler since my earily days in overclocking.

I even have about 4 NH-C14, however they did not cost anywhere near 100 dollars... lol..

i think i paid somewhere between 59.99 for the first one, and 74.99 for my last.

I bought mine in 2012: IIRC, around 60€.

Even the NH-C12P is still going strong in the other PC: IIRC, that cooler is over ten years old already. A testament to Noctua's build quality, IMO.
 
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BoomerD

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Feb 26, 2006
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I have the Noctua CPU Cooler NH-U12P SE2 cooler (2 fans, push-pull) on my i5-760. Put it on in 2011, have boxed the PC up and moved 3 times since, temps still run in the upper 20's to low 30's at idle, and has never broken 60, even when I dabbled with overclocking and ran Prime 95 for 8 hours or more.
I'm impressed with the performance...but I dislike the tan/brown fans...
 

dainthomas

Lifer
Dec 7, 2004
14,826
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i just dont think any heat sink is worth 100 dollars if its air.

Its inflation at its best.
There isn't much you can do to revolutionize a heat pipe cooler. Tell me what more can you possibly do?
Unless you telling me they managed to gas exotic compounds to make the heat pipes super efficient, at best this heat sink should cost 79.99 and not 99.99. Or maybe a Graphite / Carbon base plate to make heat transfer super efficient to the said heat pipes. Or use some exotic metals in making the unit, it just doesnt sit well for me for a heat sink to be that expensive on air.

I'll honestly go the Water route as they are now pretty well made, and have a few fail overs.
If you use proper parts like going Barrow route, you can probably piece out a custom system for a little more then that, and have it be reliable on top.
Yeah shipping will probably kill you being 3-4 weeks, but you can always pay more for expedited shipping if your in a rush.

And fans costing 30 dollars.... Sigh.... seriously, i miss the good ol days when i could of gotten 4 yate loons DSH for that price and have it be just as good as noctuna IPC's.

I really hate what "gamers" did for our market.
Its sad that gamer gear is on par with enterprise gear now.

I remember paying 60-65 for a giant, heavy copper heatsink ~15 years ago. And that didn't include a fan. This is actually about the same price if you count the two really nice fans it comes with.