Noctua is one of the top CPU cooler manufacturers right now.
This is due to the amount of research that goes behind their product.
Just take the D15, for example.
Its been eight years since it was last updated.
And it is still topping the performance charts.
And its not just for high-end PCs only.
Noctua has a whole lineup of coolers that fits into different budgets and form-factor.
This article shows which Noctua cooler is the best for you, depending on the dimensions of your case.
So, lets take a look at all the products now.
It features a dual-heatsink with two excellent 140mm A15 fans.
Coming at a height of 165mm, it is quite large in size.
But that also means you’re free to run overclocked CPUs with it.
The cooler is quite easy to set up.
It is compatible with the latest Intel 13th gen and AMDs Ryzen 7000 series of processors.
You get all the mounting brackets in the box.
We tested it using AMD 5600X, and it used the same stock backplate.
That meant we just had to screw in the brackets andinstall the coolerwithout even removing the mobo.
The included fans are great at dissipating the heat too.
We ran a stress test using AIDA 64 on the stock and OC profiles.
We got temperatures of45 and 55 degrees, respectively.
This is a great showing for such a large cooler.
We expected noise levels to be over the top, but that was not the case.
The front cooler can be adjusted to support the motherboards I/O ports.
You also need to see if the memorys size meets the required clearance of 32 mm.
Apart from that you get six years of warranty.
There is no RGB, though.
If the brown-beige accent does not go with your build, there is also a matt-black option too.
There are four heat pipes that are not soldered with the fin stack.
Installation is as simple as it gets.
This is something very common among all Noctua coolers.
Time for testing, then.
Running the Redux at full loads got us 60 degrees with a Ryzen 9 5950X.
When we ran the same test at higher clock speeds, we got a maximum of 84 degrees.
The noise was quite lower at stock speeds at 32 decibels.
When pushed harder during the overclocking load test, it got a bit loud at 41 decibels.
This was a bit higher than Noctuas U12S.
Still, the noise is low compared to other coolers in the same price bracket.
But sadly, it couldnt make thequietest CPU coolerlist.
As for the accessories, some things are missing compared to its older brother, the U12S.
You dont get a separatethermal paste, fan clips, or low-noise adapters.
But I really liked the gray accents, which is something new from Noctua.
It has a height of only 37 mm, which should not be a problem for most cases.
There are both Intel and AMD versions.
They come with the required mounting brackets and screws.
Noctua also provides a great-performing NT-H1 thermal paste in the box.
Plus, add Noctuas low-noise adapter to reduce the noise level even further.
We targeted a 65W load for this cooler and ran astress test.
The temperatures never exceeded 67 degrees during this time.
When running a game, we saw slightly higher temperatures of 69 degrees.
During both times, the noise level stayed at a low 38 decibels.
There are two color schemes you’re able to choose from, chromax black or the usual beige-brown.
As usual, you do not get options for an RGB build here.
If you are looking for a compact, low-profile cooler, look no further than Noctua NH-L9.
You get great temperatures, superb cooling, and little to no noise.
Compared to the compact L9, this has much better cooling due to the larger fan and heatsinks.
Also, you get four heat pipes which help dissipate the heat.
The L12S supports the latest Intel 13th Gen and AMD 7000 series of processors.
Mounting brackets are included in the packaging, along with the excellent NT-H1 thermal paste.
Even with the fan attached to the top, its height is 88 mm.
If you have thesmallest of cases, this is something to note.
The good news is with the top profile, you get a RAM clearance of 48 mm.
A good 120 mm PWM fan can push out 94 cubic meters of air.
A low-noise adapter is included that can bring down the airflow to 70 cubic meters and reduce the noise.
As usual, you get mounting brackets and a backplate for Intel processors.
Noctuas excellent NT-H1 thermal paste is included too.
So how did it fare in our tests?
When running loads targeted at its 95 W capacity, we got a maximumCPU temperatureof 61 degrees.
A rerun of the same test at a higher clock speed bumped this to a reasonable 79 degrees.
As for the thermals, the noise was very good at only 25 and 32 decibels.
These are very acceptable results considering the size of the heatsink.
The Noctua NH-L12S is the best-performing low-profile cooler that we have tested.
With little to no noise, you get superb cooling.
Also, it is highly customizable to fit different sizes of small form-factor cases.
Lets start with dimensions first.
It is humongous, coming to a height of 158 mm.
Do check whether your case has that amount of clearance first.
The fins are placed wide apart to allow the heat to move upwards.
There are six heat pipes that dissipate the heat away from the CPU.
The interesting thing here is that it’s possible for you to attach a fan to this cooler.
Noctua provides clips for that in the packaging.
But that would essentially destroy the main purpose for which you are getting the P1, right?
Compatibility with processors is excellent, the latest Intel and AMD processors are supported.
You get the required mounting brackets and a tube of NT-H2 thermal paste included in the box.
Lets get down to performance.
Noctua rates this passive cooler for only 43 watts.
That means you cannot expect to run anything more than a 65 W processor.
Running a Cinebench-R23 on a Ryen 5-3600, we averaged around 84 degrees.
This obviously is much higher than what you would get with a 120 mm single fan cooler.
The Noctua NH-P1 is a niche product.
The only difference lies in the contact plate, which is large enough to cover a Threadrippers IHS.
The cooler with the fan attached has a height of 165 mm.
But this may not fit the RAM perfectly once you attach the fan next to the memory slots.
However, you’ve got the option to move the fan upwards to increase the RAM clearance.
Another nice thing that Noctua has provided is the ability to move the entire cooler up the motherboard.
This will remove any obstacle between the PCI Express slots and the large heatsink.
Speaking of performance, it did well, considering the powerful CPU thrown at it.
We tested it using a Threadripped 1950X.
On Prime95, we measured an average of 84 degrees running at 4.0 GHz.
At reduced clocks, we got an average of 58 degrees.
When running Cinebench R15, we got an average of 76 degrees.
As for acoustics, the noise was quite low at 45 decibels.
This is thanks to the included NF-A15 fan.
For the accessories, you get the usual goodies in the box.
A low-noise adapter, an NT-H1 thermal paste, anti-vibration pads, and fan clips are included.
Mounting brackets are provided, which makes the installation very easy.
Noctua provides the same cooler that has full compatibility with Sapphire Rapids Xeon processor.
It will give you the same great cooling and silent operation.
Lower temperatures and near-silent working ensure you are getting the maximum performance out of your system.
Overall, highly recommended by us.
Mostly you must ensure that it fits your case.
Lets see what other things must be taken into account.
Height and Memory Clearance
For a large case, this is not an issue.
But smaller builds have problems fitting a large CPU cooler.
For that, you must take the coolers overall height into account.
If you have two fans attached, then memory clearance becomes an issue.
Some Noctua coolers provide the option to move the fan up and get you some space to work with.
Socket Compatibility
Most Noctua coolers support the latest Intel and AMD processors.
But still, you should check beforehand if it is compatible with your CPU.
Then you do not have to worry about the mounting hardware when you install it on your rig.
Cooler Performance
We test the temperatures of a particular CPU cooler by running stress-testing applications.
AIDA 64 and Cinebench R23 are two of them.
The temperatures are recorded using HWiNFO.
We record the average temperatures after successive runs.
The noise levels are also something to note.
If they are too high, that is also noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Noctua CPU cooler?
The Noctua D15 is the best CPU cooler that you’ve got the option to get.
It can keep the temps of high-end CPUs even when they are overclocked.
If your case supports it, this is the best air-based cooler you’re able to buy.
Is Noctua NH D15 better than a liquid cooler?
The Noctua D15 performs in-par with even some 240 mm AIO units while keeping the noise levels down significantly.
Are Noctua fans noisy?
Noctua fans are very silent on the contrary.
you could only hear them after setting it to spin at the highest speeds.
How long do Noctua coolers last?
You get a six years warranty with Noctua coolers.
