Noctua NH-L12 Low Profile CPU Cooler Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging and Bundle3. The Noctua NH-L12 Cooler4. Installing the Noctua NH-L125. Testing Methodology and Performance6. Closing Thoughts7. View All Pages

It’s quite obvious from a glance that the NH-L12 is the spawn of Noctua’s design team, especially when the uniquely styled ‘coffee and cream’ coloured fans are attached.

The NH-L12 features similar C-shaped heatpipe design as the Noctua NH-C14 and NH-C12 SE14.  There are four nickel plated copper heatpipes in total which pass through the CPU block at the bottom and then bend round and pass through the heatsink on top.  The heatsink fins are made from aluminium and the one on the end has a Noctua logo subtly pressed into it.

Noctua have also used nickel-plated copper for the CPU block which the four heatpipes pass through.  Unlike a lot of coolers on the market, the NH-L12 has a textured finish rather than a perfectly smooth finish.  Whether this improves heat dissipation is difficult to judge but we doubt Noctua’s engineers would have designed the cooler this way without good reason.

Despite the low profile design of the cooler, Noctua has made room for two fans in a push-pull configuration.  The fan that sits atop the heatsink is a 120mm NF-F12 PWM model and the one on the underside is an NF-B9 PWM.  You could replace these with alternative 120mm and 92mm models if you wish but we’d recommend against it as Noctua produce some of the finest fans on the market.

The Noctua NF-F12 PWM spins at a maximum speed of 1500 RPM or 1200 RPM with the low noise adapter attached.  It generates a maximum airflow and noise level of 93.4 m³h and 22.4 dBA or 74.3 m³h and 18.6 dBA with the low noise adapter.

The NF-B9 PWM spins at a maximum speed of 1600 RPM or 1300 RPM with the low noise adapter attached.  It generates a maximum airflow and noise level of 64.3 m³h and 17.6 dBA or 52.6 m³h and 13.1 dBA with the low noise adapter.

Noctua uses wire clips to secure the fans to the cooler which fit in grooves on either side.  The NF-F12 PWM fan on the top features built in rubber pads which prevent vibrations being transferred to the cooler but the NF-B9 PWM relies on two rubber strips which are attached with adhesive to the underside of the cooler.

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