Noctua NH-L12 review
1. basic features, specifications
Review Pages
2. A closer look, installation
3. Thermal and noise tests
4. Closing thoughts
Manufacturer | Noctua |
Model | |
Price | $72 |
Category | HTPC Users |
We have in our labs a new product by Noctua, designed to meet the cooling requirements of a CPU found on a typically compact in size HTPC.The NH-L12 cpu is a low-profile cooler, flexible enough to operate in a single or a dual fan configuration. Depending on your needs, the cooler can be installed as it comes out of the box with a NF-F12 (120mm) / NF-B9 (92mm) dual PWM fan, or as an extra-low profile (66mm) cooler with the top fan removed.
- Product features
- Fan Size: Noctua NF-F12 PWM & NF-B9 PWM. Compatibility: Intel LGA 2011, LGA 1366, LGA 1156, LGA775, AMD, AMD2 AM2+, AM3, AM 3+, FM 1 (Backplate required). Bearing: SSO-Bearing (Self-stabilizing oil-pressure bearing). RPM +/- 10%: 1500/1600 RPM (Max), 1200/1300 RPM(w/L.N.A).
- Material: Copper (Base and Heat-pipes), Alum.(cooling Fins), Soldered Joints, Nickel Plated. Dimension : 5.04-Inchx5.9-Inchx 2.6-Inch (Without Fan), 5.04-Inchx5.9-Inchx 3.66-Inch (With Fan). Weight: 1.0 Lbs (Without Fan), 1.5 Lbs (With Fan)
- Min Rotation Speed (PWM): 300/300RPM. Air Flow: 93.4/64.3m³/h (Max), 74.3/52.6 m³/h (w/L.N.A.), 63.4m³/h (W/U.L.N.A). Acoustical Noise: 22.4/17.6 dB(A) (Max), 18.6/13.1dB(A)(w/L.N.A ). Input Power: 0.6/0.96W.Voltage Range : 12V.MTBF > 150,000h.
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120/92mm dual fan design Thanks to its exquisite dual fan setup consisting of Noctua’s NF-F12 (120mm) and NF-B9 (92mm) premium fans, the NH-L12 pushes the bar in terms of low-profile quiet cooling performance. |
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Extra-low profile in 92mm single-fan mode The NH-L12 can be used with the NF-B9 92mm fan only in order to reduce the overall height to 66mm. This way, the cooler is suitable for many typical µATX or Mini-ITX enclosures and ideal for whisper-quiet HTPC systems. |
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PWM support and Low-Noise Adaptors The NH-L12’s NF-F12 and NF-B9 fans support PWM for convenient automatic speed control. In addition, the maximum fan speed can be reduced to 1200/1300rpm using the supplied Low-Noise Adaptors for even quieter operation. |
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SecuFirm2 mounting system Noctua’s SecuFirm2 multi-socket mounting provides broad socket compatibility (LGA 2011, LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA775, AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1) and meets the highest demands in safety, performance and ease-of-use. |
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Mini-ITX mounting without backplate Some Intel based Mini-ITX mainboards don’t allow for the installation of backplates. The NH-L12 thus comes with an extra set of Intel mounting bolts which make it possible to install the cooler without using the SecuFirm2 backplate. |
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NT-H1 thermal compound Noctua's NT-H1 is a well proven pro-grade TIM solution that provides minimum thermal resistance, excellent ease-of-use and reliability. |
- Specifications
Socket compatibility | Intel LGA2011 (Square ILM), LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA775 & AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1 (backplate required) | |
Height (without fan) | 66 mm | |
Width (without fan) | 128 mm | |
Depth (without fan) | 150 mm | |
Height (with fan) | 93 mm | |
Width (with fan) | 128 mm | |
Depth (with fan) | 150 mm | |
Weight (without fan) | 415 g | |
Weight (with fan) | 680 g | |
Material | Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating | |
Fan compatibility | 120x120x25mm & 92x92x25mm | |
Scope of Delivery | ||
Warranty | 6 Years | |
Fan specifications | ||
Model | Noctua NF-F12 PWM & Noctua NF-B9 PWM | |
Bearing | SSO-Bearing | |
Max. Rotational Speed (+/- 10%) | 1500 / 1600 RPM | |
Max. Rotational Speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%) | 1200 / 1300 RPM | |
Min. Rotational Speed (PWM) | 300 / 300 RPM | |
Max. Airflow | 93,4 / 64,3 m³/h | |
Max. Airflow with L.N.A. | 74,3 / 52,6 m³/h | |
Max. Acoustical Noise | 22,4 / 17,6 dB(A) | |
Max. Acoustical Noise with L.N.A. | 18,6 / 13,1 dB(A) | |
Input Power | 0,6 / 0,96 W | |
Voltage Range | 12 V | |
MTBF | > 150.000 h |
Review Pages
2. A closer look, installation
3. Thermal and noise tests
4. Closing thoughts