Review: Noctua NH-U12A

by Parm Mann on 17 May 2019, 14:00

Tags: Noctua

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Conclusion

...not just one of the best compact solutions in its arsenal, but one of the best CPU coolers to date.

Noctua continues to set the standard for air cooling and in the NH-U12A it has released not just one of the best compact solutions in its arsenal, but one of the best CPU coolers to date.

Offering outstanding performance from a 120mm unit, this fifth-generation U12 Series offers ample clearance for memory and PCIe, exemplary build quality, and a pair of flagship fans whose fastidious design tells you everything you need to know about the Austrian company.

Installation is as simple as ever, noise levels are kept down to a minimum, the bundle is comprehensive, and to top it all off there's a six-year warranty to help convince you that this is £90 well spent.

Bottom line: if neither the colour scheme nor price tag are cause for concern, go ahead and buy an NH-U12A; you won't regret it.

The Good
 
The Bad
Compact form factor
Excellent cooling performance
Ample clearance for memory and PCIe
Exemplary build quality
User-friendly installation kit
Keeps quiet at all times
Six-year warranty as standard
 
Doesn't come in black



Noctua NH-U12A

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The Noctua NH-U12A CPU cooler is available to purchase from Scan Computers.

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At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.



*UK-based HEXUS community members are eligible for free delivery and priority customer service through the SCAN.care@HEXUS forum.



HEXUS Forums :: 19 Comments

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Erm, No thanks. £90 for a 2x 120mm small tower. Deepcool Lucifer is on the same level as this if you put another fan on it (though considerably larger). I bet if I put Noctua fans on my 4pipe h7 I would get pretty similar results with a better aesthetic. But if you want the brand you want the brand.
PC-LAD
Erm, No thanks. £90 for a 2x 120mm small tower. Deepcool Lucifer is on the same level as this if you put another fan on it (though considerably larger). I bet if I put Noctua fans on my 4pipe h7 I would get pretty similar results with a better aesthetic. But if you want the brank you want the brand.

A small tower cooler that ran circles around a £163 360mm AIO, while being quieter. Tell me again how £90 is unreasonable, or how you're going to get the same performance from any other air cooler. Even their previous champ, the NH-D15 can't claim to best a 280mm AIO, much less a 360mm.
After two pump failures with AIO's I think ill be making the switch to this as soon as I get paid.
aidanjt
Tell me again how £90 is unreasonable

Well it certainly costs more than a BE QUIET Dark Rock Pro 4, which also offers very strong performance and low noise.
Friesiansam
Well it certainly costs more than a BE QUIET Dark Rock Pro 4, which also offers very strong performance and low noise.

Exactly the point i was trying to get across. I was not comparing this tower to an aio and as I said there are other options in this price range @aidanjt. You could even get the NH-U12S and put another fan on it for less, just a stupid price