Provided by: Noctua
No compensation was received for review of this product.
Price Point
Price: $59.99 USD Retail
Class: Mainstream/Enthusiast HTPC
The Noctua NH-L12 Low Profile CPU Cooler is in the Mainstream/Enthusiast HTPC class of CPU coolers.
Performance
Performance of the Noctua NH-L12 was outstanding in all respects. Cooling was top of its class, installation simple and secure, and noise levels were inaudible outside of the case.
Reviewer's Opinion
Everyone is impressed by big numbers or, in the case of CPU coolers, small numbers relative to temperatures with big overclocks. That is all fine and well, but there are often times more to be impressed with. There are times a cooler is meant for a very specific market segment that has a very specific need. In these cases, I’m much more impressed with perfect execution, excellent build and design quality, top notch finish and outstanding performance in the cooler’s particular market segment. I can honestly say that I have never come across a cooler that meets these criteria as well as the Noctua NH-L12. The NH-L12 may have come closer to perfection than any application specific cooler to date.
First off, you need to understand what the Noctua NH-L12 is….and isn’t. The NH-L12 is a low profile, dual fan cooler made specifically for small case applications, most notably HTPC. It has the ability to run in a single fan mode that drops the height of the installed NH-L12 to a miniscule 66mm. It is not a behemoth made for overclocking. It is specifically meant to sit on lower wattage CPU/APUs in tight spaces and cool them effectively and efficiently in near silence, and do so in even the smallest and tightest of HTPC cases with a simple installation. This is what the NH-L12 was made to do, and it does it to perfection, with room to spare.
Looking at the cooling characteristics, they are absolutely outstanding. In dual fan mode, the NH-L12 actually manages to easily outperform its much larger sibling, the NH-C12P, and is in a whole different (and much better) cooling class than the other low profile coolers we have tested. At stock CPU speeds, the NH-L12 cooling results look like they came from a similarly priced full sized tower, and a good one at that.
Taking off the top fan and running the NH-L12 at 66mm in height, the cooling naturally took a hit, but remained impressive. Even under full load for extended periods, the CPU remained 14 degrees from its thermal danger zone at a cool 41 degrees. Some may point to the results being similar to the Scythe Big Shuriken 2, which they are, but there a couple of huge differences between the two. Which brings me to my next point…..
Along with effective cooling, the biggest concern of an HTPC cooler is remaining quiet. In the case of the NH-L12, we are going to be talking about dead silent and absolutely inaudible outside of the case…even with both fans running…even with the fans at full speed. The Low Noise Adapter (LNA) was a nice inclusion in the package, but how can I comment on its effectiveness when the NH-L12 was basically inaudible outside of the case in the first place? Disconnecting all case fans left only a hint of fan noise/air movement when the computer was started. Noctua is infamous for their fans, and it is really shown off on the NH-L12.
Mounting with the SecuFirm 2 is simple, to the point and solid. Everything in the kit is absolutely top notch, right down to the included NH-T1 thermal material. Everything you need for mounting on any current Intel or AMD socket is present, even including the hardware for Intel Mini ITX boards that can’t use a backplate. And, again, I applaud Noctua for having the common sense to use the stock AMD backplate and an Intel specific backplate. No worries here about crushed/shorted motherboard points.
Last, the NH-L12 is truly a Noctua, and the small size doesn’t skimp on this. Fit and finish are the finest in the market, materials are top notch in every single aspect and the included accessories leave you wanting for absolutely nothing.
The one possible knock? The NH-L12 does block access to RAM slots. It stands tall enough to accept standard size RAM with no issues, and even many slightly taller RAM heatsinks. Odds are that you aren’t going to be running tall RAM in an HTPC, regardless, but it is a consideration. Also, the NH-L12 does need to be removed (two screws) in order to remove or install RAM, but it is such a quick, simple operation that I can’t take points off for that.
Put it all together, and we have what I feel is the finest low profile cooler to hit the market to date in the Noctua NH-L12. It is a stellar performer, beautifully built and engineered, and simple to install. The NH-L12 stays dead quiet at all fan speeds, and even offers an LNA for those situations where even the minutest noise would be too much. Plus, it fits everywhere. In the world of HTPC/Low Profile cooling, the Noctua NH-L12 is king and, in my mind, it’s not even close.
Pros
Cons
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