Noctua NH-U12A, Premium CPU Cooler with High-Performance Quiet NF-A12x25 PWM Fans (120mm, Brown)

For the size I was blown away by how well this cooler works. This keeps my 5900x cool under load and makes barely any sound at all. I am very happy that I chose this over an AIO which I have had issues with in the past.

This Noctua NH-U12A cooler is a repeat purchase for a second build. I have the first unit mated with an i7-12700K and havent had any issues with keeping the CPU cool. Noctuas products are excellent quality.

Over the many years Ive gone through a lot of fans and its come to the point these days where I really just go for quality, even at an expense, because frankly cheap fans tend to get noisy fairly quickly. So even though the Noctua gear is not the cheapest or best-value in the world, that is what I buy these days. These fans dont disappoint!

This thing keeps my I7 11700K at 70C under full load cinebench stress testing. I doubt theres another air cooler on the market that can do that. At this price point though, youre basically paying 100% more than say a Mugen Scythe for 10% better performance. That being said, if you want the best - this is it.

Using it on a 4790k @4.6ghz/1.3v. Keeps it nice and cool 40c idle and 60ish under load.

Yes it is big, but easy to install and the fans are SILENT! Easy install without doing a lot of jumping jacks. Ive built computers for myself for over 40 years. Yes, its probably easier for me but this one is no big deal for a beginner. Dont touch the top of the cpu or the bottom of the cooler. Finger oils are bad. You get 20 times the amount of thermal compound you need so just use what they say. With the skins off and my ear 2 inches away it is very hard to hear the fans. Not doing much now and its 28 C (82 F). With the stock AMD cooler it was almost double.

Amazing cooler, average temp fo 10900k,75c, under load

This air cooler has far exceeded my expectations, I have a i9-9900k and I ran a stress test using AIDA64. my lowest idle was about 33 and highest was 75 at full load, (temps in Celsius). This air cooler is worth what I paid for. Also, I dont have much case fans yet, (still looking for ARGB fans). I highly recommend this Noctua Air Cooler. Since I live in southern California, expect hot ambient temperatures. There is clearance for my ram memory. (In picture attached, the ram closest to the air cooler is the first ram slot, dont mind the wires, Im still cleaning it.)

Non ha confronti col liquido

For the longest time when I built my first desktop I wanted to go water cooling with an AIO but for some reason something changed in me a year ago when I finally did build my first desktop and I dont think Ill ever go AIO now.