Noctua NH-L12 Low Profile Cooler

Cooling Results

As one would expect, using both fans generated the best results, cooling our CPU about 2°C better at the ~20 dBA@1m level and about 7°C better at ~12 dBA@1m compared to using just the stock 120 mm fan. At higher speeds the difference was minimal but the gap widened as the speed lowered.

The performance advantage of the 120 mm stock fan over its smaller 92 mm brother was much greater, 7°C in favor of the larger fan at ~15 dBA@1m. At the almost inaudible 6V level, the lead hit double digits. Our reference Nexus 120 mm fan was exceptional, delivering almost the same cooling proficiency as the stock fans combined, only a 1~2°C poorer at similar noise levels.

Heatsink Comparison Table

With just the stock 92 mm fan, the NH-L12 is not very impressive considering its size, just edging out smaller, shorter Scythe Big Shuriken and being outperformed slightly by the Prolimatech Samuel 17 and Scythe Samurai ZZ. When equipped with just the stock 120 mm fan it was more formidable, leaping to the head of the pack and competing directly with tower coolers like the Scythe Ninja Mini and Xigmatek HDT-SD964. Armed with our 120 mm Nexus reference fan or both of its stock fans, the NH-L12 outpaces the entire field, particularly at ultra low noise levels.

MP3 SOUND RECORDINGS

These recordings were made with a high resolution, lab quality, digital recording system inside SPCR's own 11 dBA ambient anechoic chamber, then converted to LAME 128kbps encoded MP3s. We've listened long and hard to ensure there is no audible degradation from the original WAV files to these MP3s. They represent a quick snapshot of what we heard during the review.

These recordings are intended to give you an idea of how the product sounds in actual use — one meter is a reasonable typical distance between a computer or computer component and your ear. The recording contains stretches of ambient noise that you can use to judge the relative loudness of the subject. Be aware that very quiet subjects may not be audible — if we couldn't hear it from one meter, chances are we couldn't record it either!

The recording starts with 5~10 second segments of room ambiance, then the fan at various levels. For the most realistic results, set the volume so that the starting ambient level is just barely audible, then don't change the volume setting again.

• Noctua NH-L12 with both stock fans at 1m
  — 7V (14~15 dBA@1m)
  — 8V (17 dBA@1m)
  — 9V (20 dBA@1m)
  — 10V (22~23 dBA@1m)
  — 12V (28~29 dBA@1m)
  

• Noctua NH-L12 with stock 120mm fan at 1m
  — 7V (13 dBA@1m)
  — 8V (15 dBA@1m)
  — 9V (18 dBA@1m)
  — 10V (20~21 dBA@1m)
  — 12V (26 dBA@1m)
  

• Noctua NH-L12 with stock 92mm fan at 1m
  — 7V (13 dBA@1m)
  — 8V (15 dBA@1m)
  — 9V (17 dBA@1m)
  — 10V (19~20 dBA@1m)
  — 12V (23 dBA@1m)

Help support this site, buy from one of our affiliate retailers!

Search: All ProductsComputersPhotographyElectronicsSoftwareVideo GamesMoviesMusicBooksToysOfficeJewelry & WatchesApparelHealth & BeautyHome & GardenBabies & KidsFlowers & GourmetSporting GoodsMusical Instruments