The third Noctua CPU cooler we will test today is the NH-U12S. The NH-U12S is the latest 12cm model of Noctua’s classic U-series single-tower CPU coolers, which have received more than 400 awards and recommendations from the international press. The S-version’s 45mm slim shape guarantees 100% compatibility with tall RAM modules and at the same time, its fine-tuned design and the class-leading NF-F12 Focused Flow™ fan with PWM support for fully automatic speed control allow it to further improve its predecessor’s renowned quiet cooling performance. Topped off with the trusted, pro-grade SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting system, Noctua’s proven NT-H1 thermal compound, and a full-year manufacturer’s warranty, the NH-U12S is a complete premium quality solution that combines outstanding performance, quiet operation, and excellent compatibility.

The Noctua NH-U12S can be found online at various Amazon web stores and retails for around EUR 83.00, making it affordable for such small-sized CPU coolers.

The version we received comes with included updated brackets and supports Intel Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150, and AMD AM5, AM4 sockets, while can be made compatible with the older LGA1366 and LGA775 sockets using the optional NM-I3 mounting kit, and also can use the NM-i20xx Mounting-Kit, that supports LGA2011 and LGA2066 sockets. If technically possible, Noctua will also provide upgrade kits for future sockets, which makes the NH-D12L chromax.black a safe long-term investment. Especially for the AM5 socket, Noctua offers their updated brackets that support offset placing, 0mm and -7mm that are supposed to improve cooling performance with AM5 CPUs.

Users can find also many other accessories for this CPU cooler, like an NM-M1-MP78 Mounting kit or NA-HC4 chromax.white top CPU cover or even colored NA-SAVP3 chromax.white Anti-vibration pads to customize your CPU cooler. For a full list of available please visit the official Noctua website.

Before buying this CPU cooler it's best to visit the CPU compatibility list for the best possible information. The AMD Ryzen 7950X is reported as having "medium turbo/overclocking headroom". The next area users should look at the motherboard compatibility. The last step for users should be checking their case compatibility. Passing the retail box, it’s a medium-sized box.

Opening the box unveils the contents, the CPU cooler is in the middle, and accessories and everything are well organized and protected

Users will get inside the retail box:

• NF-F12 PWM premium fan
• NA-RC6 Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.)
• NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound
• SecuFirm2™ mounting kit
• Anti-vibration pads and fan-clips for second NF-F12
• Noctua Metal Case-Badge

The Noctua NH-U12S is a small-sized CPU cooler. Its height (without a fan) is 158mm, its Width (without a fan) is 125 mm and its Depth (without fan) is 45mm. The weight of the CPU cooler reaches with a fan installed 755gr. The building materials are Copper (base and heat pipes), aluminum (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating. The product comes with 6 years of warranty.

The base includes 5 heat pipes and everything is made out of copper (base and heat-pipes).

Noctua has included with this product the Noctua NF-F12 PWM fan. It has bearing SSO2 technology with Max. rotation speed (+/- 10%) 1500 RPM and with the included adapters (L.N.A.) (+/- 10%) 1200 RPM, while the minimum rotational speed (PWM, +/-20%) is 300 RPM. The acoustical noise is 22.4 dB (A) while the L.N.A. adapter goes down to 18.6 dB (A). Installing the CPU cooler isn't very hard and may require you to take a look at the printed manual. Depending on your Intel or AMD CPU you will install the needed brackets and secure the CPU cooler. Nothing difficult here. 

With the AMD AM5 socket, we used both the 0mm and the -7mm bracket options to see if we would have any major performance differences. The used fan has the following rpm performance curve

while for all tests, we used the default curve as the motherboard chooses.