Noctua NH-U12A CPU Cooler Review - Tested and Compared to Other Top Coolers

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  • čas přidán 1. 08. 2024
  • How good is Noctua's newest CPU cooler? Let's find out!
    Products in This Video
    NH-U12A: amzn.to/3KLAYSB
    NH-D15S: amzn.to/45j2m2E
    NH-D15: amzn.to/3YBjmOV
    Gloves: amzn.to/3sdfUhs
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made with product links.
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    I hope this video helped you make better consumer decisions. Thanks for all your support!
  • Věda a technologie

Komentáře • 266

  • @SlightlyMiscalculated
    @SlightlyMiscalculated Před 5 lety +4

    Incredibly informative! Love the quality in this video, keep it up!

  • @remixgod6869
    @remixgod6869 Před 5 lety +3

    This video is exactly what I was looking for. I used your affiliate link to purchase the Noctua nh-d15. I appreciate the time you took into making this video. I was very close to buying an AIO cooler but this video helped me make the right choice. 👍

  • @humbleprogress1226
    @humbleprogress1226 Před 4 lety +1

    Keep up the videos man! Thank you!

  • @dadoesx
    @dadoesx Před 5 lety +4

    Saw your video on Awesome Hardware and thought i's take a look, looking forward to more

  • @voyager4328
    @voyager4328 Před 5 lety +1

    Great review man, really thorough and informative, Thank you.

  • @DreamKaster_tv
    @DreamKaster_tv Před 5 lety +9

    Paul and Kyle sent me. Great video bud!!!

  • @SciePhi
    @SciePhi Před 5 lety

    Thanks for the data bro. subbed

  • @BlueTigerColt
    @BlueTigerColt Před 5 lety +2

    Get some! Great job. Paul and Kyle send their best.

  • @IvanCalderon
    @IvanCalderon Před 5 lety +35

    Bitwit Kyle and Paul from Paul's Hardware send their regards. Your video just got featured in their Awesome Hardware livestream. GJ!

  • @Blueberries404
    @Blueberries404 Před 5 lety

    Nice job with your review!

  • @owisun85
    @owisun85 Před 5 lety +1

    Very good and informative review, straight to the point... one like and one subscribe!

  • @pliskinmovies
    @pliskinmovies Před 4 lety +2

    awesome video! congrats!!!

  • @Anon.Emouse
    @Anon.Emouse Před 5 lety +6

    Thanks. I've been waiting for this cooler to come to market. Having now seen 2 reviews which came to the same conclusion i'll stick to the NH-D15S

    • @mattgraham7874
      @mattgraham7874 Před 5 lety +1

      TL;DR : this

    • @justint.6618
      @justint.6618 Před 4 lety +2

      Matt Graham well you see, in my case the D15 doesn't fit so this is perfect.

  • @cosaovidiu2838
    @cosaovidiu2838 Před 3 lety +1

    Excellent review! :)

  • @tonyfox4445
    @tonyfox4445 Před 5 lety

    nicely done review came over after watching awesome hardware looking forward to more content your coverage of specs and the your testing specifics are very informative

  • @TotalTechAddiction
    @TotalTechAddiction Před 5 lety

    Came from Paul & Kyle's Awesome Hardware! Much luck to your continued success 😁

  • @glamouraz
    @glamouraz Před 4 lety +3

    Dude, you are one of the better hardware testing channels around. I really love your temp vs noise graphs which almost no one else does.
    A lot of other people just give temps at a certain rpm, or don't do noise normalized testing like GN does. Even with noise normalized testing, your temp vs noise curve also shows that the premise of "if 1 product does better that this dB level, it will do better at all dB levels" may not always be true, and that is why I really love your channel.
    To throw out some additional ideas, how about a short writeup (video description/blog/website) that outlines the testing methodology? Like what are the things you control, build setup, etc? Just to say something like, you fix the cpu's current draw, ambient temps, etc. I know GN even tries to fix things that seemingly doesn't matter like thermal paste application, and even using thermal paste from the same manufacturing batch.
    One last idea that I have: A lot of people say that dB levels don't tell the full story, since it's also about what kind of sound the fan makes. A high pitched whine from the motor? Screeching from the bearings? Turbulent airflow? My suggestion would be to sort of do an investigation video where you record the sound from the fans, use a Fourier Transform to see the frequencies within that noise and try to identify elements within that sound profile that can correspond to turbulence, bearing noise, motor noise, etc and then for future videos, you can just show the Fourier transform of the fan's noise to sort of let the audience know that kind of sounds they can expect when they buy it. What do you think?
    I hope you don't stop doing what you do dude. I only came across your channel earlier this week but I'm already loving it!

  • @franklinrobbins7722
    @franklinrobbins7722 Před 5 lety +2

    Subscriber RAID from Awesome Hardware!. Great video review, so I'm sticking around to see more of your videos.

  • @chrisg5023
    @chrisg5023 Před 5 lety +1

    You are recommended by the best, Good job!!!

  • @madman22444
    @madman22444 Před 5 lety

    Great review! Thanks for the heads up Awesome Hardware!! Guest spot on the show maybe for Jesse?

  • @estebanmedaglia4506
    @estebanmedaglia4506 Před 4 lety

    Very good review, particularly the in-depth analysis of noise levels. Would love to see a video showing the proper installation of the low-noise adapters. I installed these myself, and they do help, but I am still unsure if I installed them correctly or not, as there are multiple options and the manual does not go into details like these. I am noob, so videos like yours really help. Thank you!

  • @psykodragonman8644
    @psykodragonman8644 Před 5 lety +1

    great video there sir, was sent here by Kyle and Paul, keep up the content!

  • @SilasCole88
    @SilasCole88 Před 5 lety +45

    Good news, I was told by Noctua themselves, "We may introduce covers for the NH-U12A when we have a black version of the NF-A12x25 fans, hopefully around the end of the year."

    • @sloo6425
      @sloo6425 Před 5 lety +9

      I think that would be a mistake, I'm proud of my Noctua NHU-14S, the brown really is a badge of honor.

    • @flawns
      @flawns Před 5 lety +3

      @@sloo6425 NO

    • @DakiniDream
      @DakiniDream Před 5 lety

      Bit on the late, i know. But maybe some are still looking for the fans-cover. Take a look here: noctua.at/en/products/accessories/heatsink-covers

    • @Madtroll1209
      @Madtroll1209 Před 4 lety +5

      Lmao it's 2020 and the chromax U12A is nowhere to be found

    • @jin1836
      @jin1836 Před 4 lety +1

      @@Madtroll1209 one day my friends...one day...

  • @JoshKeatonFan
    @JoshKeatonFan Před 5 lety

    Love your video! Came here from Awesome Hardware

  • @IAmNemode
    @IAmNemode Před 5 lety

    Sent from the clan. Great vid as well!

  • @andrewlarsen9700
    @andrewlarsen9700 Před 5 lety +12

    Awesome hardware sent me :)

  • @mrfailure93
    @mrfailure93 Před 5 lety

    Sent here from awesome hardware, don't disappoint!

  • @Skott62
    @Skott62 Před 5 lety

    Paul & Kyle said to stop by and say hello. Great job on the video.

  • @dai1ygrace
    @dai1ygrace Před 5 lety

    Great job on the nice video!

  • @floydsimpson9008
    @floydsimpson9008 Před 5 lety +6

    Alright Jesse, pressure is on now. Keep flowing with the quality content!

  • @madhound3477
    @madhound3477 Před 5 lety

    Followed because Paul’s Hardware and Bitwitkyle showed this video and you did a great job. They told us to sub.

  • @ABallesteros954
    @ABallesteros954 Před 5 lety +58

    bitwit and paul made me do it. great job on the video

  • @seanwalker9904
    @seanwalker9904 Před 5 lety

    Good job, nice work

  • @jamielee8845
    @jamielee8845 Před 5 lety

    Great vid 👍

  • @1234garrett1993
    @1234garrett1993 Před 5 lety +118

    So many mouth sounds, maybe back up from the mic a little or something. I'm getting a lot of juicy noises lol

    • @fredriksvard2603
      @fredriksvard2603 Před 4 lety +9

      Garrett P. Click
      Smack
      Breathe
      Sigh
      Clack

    • @nialmurphy9622
      @nialmurphy9622 Před 4 lety

      I like those juices

    • @christianb9565
      @christianb9565 Před 4 lety +15

      It sounds like someone is eating p***y right next to his mic

    • @spacecy
      @spacecy Před 4 lety +3

      @@christianb9565 Jesus judges you silently.

    • @prkrparkerprkr
      @prkrparkerprkr Před 4 lety +4

      honestly had to stop watching this otherwise good content

  • @ColdIronHalo
    @ColdIronHalo Před 5 lety

    Really nice video, One ting i noticed on your graphs is the Names of the coolers is Very very tiny . it look good on paper/full screen. But on a mobile phone or a reduce size it is impossible to read. Keep up the good work.

  • @CashmereSky
    @CashmereSky Před 5 lety

    Nice video and review. I came here for these answers as I currently have a NH-D15S. Looks like I'll be sticking with it. I also have the Chromax fans and cover plates to make the heatsink actually look aesthetically good. I hope Noctua offers a Chromax plate for the U12A. I'm pretty sure you can already buy color variants of the fans, though you have to buy all of these aftermarket, making the cooler get REALLY expensive. A NH-D15S with 1 Chromax fan upgrade and the cover plates puts you close to $150. YOUCH.

  • @timkelly6496
    @timkelly6496 Před 5 lety

    I've been wanting to know of this one

  • @kevinroberts1974
    @kevinroberts1974 Před 5 lety

    Kyle and Paul brought me here, great video!

  • @victor2410
    @victor2410 Před 5 lety +8

    Awesome hardware sent me.

  • @nebadon2025
    @nebadon2025 Před 5 lety +23

    Kyle and Paul said i had to come here :P

  • @reesemoore1546
    @reesemoore1546 Před 5 lety

    Nice review , you were featured on bit wit

  • @jeffgalpin3153
    @jeffgalpin3153 Před 5 lety

    Nice job Jesse.

  • @Xx-xd3zo
    @Xx-xd3zo Před 4 lety +1

    Buddy, thanks. This is the video (and product) I've been looking for. Great, balanced review. I'll need a smaller tower for an Matx and would like to see my ram. Not a bad thing, if you have a window, to have a less honking tower in your rig. FWIW...
    An extra $20 is nothing in the scheme of things.
    Now scoring some Noctua Chromax fans to replace the browns? Another story. Wait, nope, still nothing in the scheme.
    You can sell the browns or hang onto them as spares.
    Thanks again and cheers!

  • @KalEl671
    @KalEl671 Před 5 lety

    Kyle and Paul sent me here..... i shall do all my overlords command me to. You have been subscribed!!! Great informative video

  • @36bounce
    @36bounce Před 5 lety

    Jesse sent to your site by Paul's Hardware and Bitwit. Well worth the stop by !

  • @mrfailure93
    @mrfailure93 Před 5 lety

    Great video

  • @erwinbraaksma3216
    @erwinbraaksma3216 Před 5 lety

    Kyle and Paul sent me here, greetings from the netherlands!

  • @andycheese9476
    @andycheese9476 Před 5 lety

    Hi, hope the raid helps kick starts your channel. Great start :-)

  • @kWazt
    @kWazt Před 5 lety

    Just saying hey so I can say I joined the Awesome Hardware bandwagon! Good job on a great review.
    If I can offer 1 word of commentary, it would be that it had a bit of a ASMR-vibe. Good audio all around, but it sounded like you were thirsty throughout the video.

  • @indigomontari9022
    @indigomontari9022 Před 5 lety

    Nice viid keep it up : )

  • @samdeur
    @samdeur Před 5 lety +1

    i landed on your channel by chance. and i have to say i'm very , very impressed.. reason ? i'm a big fan of quit running workstations and Noctua and Fractal design are on the top of my list.. of all the reviews i watched of this fan no one .. No other channel ever mentioned in detail a comparison of the U12 and the well know 15 model. All the big channels out there make it seem like this cooler beats everything else including the big 15 model.. (don't know the exact model names).. so i'm very happy that i found your channel.. subscribed for sure.. i'm planning on moving away from osx and building a nice Linux Fedora ryzen system (the latest amd ryzen) with a amd gpu doesn't need to be all that powerful i don't game.. but i'm buying a cpu without a gpu so need one.. thanks for your good review.. look forward to checking out your channel.. greetings from The Netherlands.. old Unix sys admin..

    • @dorientjewoller113
      @dorientjewoller113 Před 5 lety

      If you ain't overclocking and you want descent performant silent air coolers and don't like the "poep" colors of Noctua, take a look at Scythe, especially the Mugen 5 Rev. B. I have the PCGH version of this cooler in my system: Cheap in comparison with Noctua (nearly 50 dollar less then this NH-U12A), fits nearly in all cases with it's 155 height, dead silent, easy to mount (5 - 10 min from unboxing to finished install), doesn't need extra silence adapters to keep it quiet), visual pleasing cooler and widely available in The Netherlands in shops like Azerty.nl, Alternate.nl, MaxICT. I am currently eyeballing the Scythe Ninja 5, damn that thing is huge, good looking, has a performance/price ratio second to none, dead quiet and even with it size a breeze to install.

  • @phreapersoonlijk
    @phreapersoonlijk Před 5 lety

    I'm just here out of my deep love for kyle and paul. They get me all excited !

  • @guidosalducci2553
    @guidosalducci2553 Před 5 lety

    AwesomeHardware sent me. Great video with good content. It's too bad that Noctua doesn't replace the toxic brown with a solid black, or maybe a white/black combo.

  • @8man_01
    @8man_01 Před 5 lety

    great review! as for my decision to swap my d15 to this cooler... hmmm i really do need the better clearances for case and ram modules, but with that price tag? real hard choice.

  • @michaelbates6474
    @michaelbates6474 Před 5 lety

    I too came to your channel by way of Paul and Kyle. Nice job on your review! Are you planning on regular releases in the future?

  • @docbogus6128
    @docbogus6128 Před 5 lety +1

    Hey! (good work)

  • @GolfJulietBravo
    @GolfJulietBravo Před 5 lety +1

    Sent by @paulshardware and @bitwit - great subbed and liked - great video!

  • @ugotznuked
    @ugotznuked Před 5 lety +1

    Can you test the D15 with the A12x25 fans? I wanna see if it makes the D15 better or worse- guessing better.

  • @rickymcc8624
    @rickymcc8624 Před 5 lety +1

    Hi Thanks for your informative vid. Good to see how it compares within Noctua family. I'm seriously looking to buy one, for a new build I'm contemplating (I had previously used a 1st gen Noctua CPU cooler in my nearly 10 year old system where it has performed flawlessly).
    I'm thinking of using base case inflow with 3 x SilverStone AP 18cm fans and a 90 deg orientation courtesy of a FT02 case. I wondered if the smaller overall size of this CPU cooler vs larger 14cm units might well allow better cooling of other components i.e. Mobo chipset and RAM modules in my configuration. With a vertically hung GPU it shouldn't block upward airflow too much so in this sense the smaller NH-U12A CPU cooler might actually be a better balance for overall system than a larger CPU cooler like NH-D15. Difficult to know for sure but seems logical to me, so I'm minded to try.

  • @mr_beezlebub3985
    @mr_beezlebub3985 Před 5 lety +1

    Seems like a decent cooler, but since I have the NH-D15 for AM4, I am happy with that purchase

  • @Kingjamesvii1
    @Kingjamesvii1 Před 5 lety

    I like how complete the review was but I did not like the scrolling text for the pros and cons. I did learn of your video from Paul and Kyle but I only subscribed after watching the video and liking the content.

  • @cristian258033
    @cristian258033 Před 5 lety

    Hello, does it come prepared for AM4 or I have to buy NM-AM4 Mounting Kit separatly ? Thanks.

  • @donalgodon
    @donalgodon Před 4 lety

    Is it equal to a LNA to simply limit RPM? Was the D-15 tested with 2 fans or with a single fan?

  • @isbestlizard
    @isbestlizard Před 4 lety

    why do I need a low noise adapter? why wouldn't I just set the fan curve to be lower?

  • @Elemino
    @Elemino Před 5 lety +6

    I'm known as Tech-Know Scope in tech communities, but Paul and Kyle sent me here to sub to you... Congrats! Nice vid!

    • @franco7064
      @franco7064 Před 5 lety

      you are known as tech-know scope in tech circles...lmfao

    • @Elemino
      @Elemino Před 5 lety

      @@franco7064 you heard what I said... Even though I typed it.
      www.techknowscope.tv

  • @Speedslays
    @Speedslays Před 5 lety +1

    bitwit and or paul sent me here. nice video~!

  • @TroubleshootGamingMeds

    So do you think the Esports 34 duo is a better buy than this?

  • @KebongPHL
    @KebongPHL Před 2 lety

    hey mate are you using until now the u12a? if yes hows the performance after a years? and do you have encounter the sprint issue (the issue is springs, springs stop doing their job, down over the time so that cooling is less epective over a year)

  • @PietroSoft
    @PietroSoft Před 4 lety +2

    One simple reason tu buy this one over the bigger ones is, it doesn't eat the first pci-e slot, a big issue with large coolers is that it make the first pci-e slot useless on many motherboards.

  • @L70ECT
    @L70ECT Před 5 lety +1

    Good Video!, for future videos it would be helpful if you found someway to minimize the lip smacking noises.

  • @DrBreezeAir
    @DrBreezeAir Před 2 lety

    Instead of using low noise adapters, I just enable the PWM feature on the motherboard and draw a custom fan curve with time offsets so that the fans will react with a slight delay to temperature fluctuations. When combined with a PSU with a hybrid mode and while the ambient temperature is low enough, all the fans just stop and the idling PC becomes absolutely silent. My curve allows the fans to stop when the CPU temp is lower than 30C. I'm considering this fan as an upgrade from my U14S. Thanks for the review!

  • @xSeanok
    @xSeanok Před 5 lety

    Do you think this is gonna be an upgrade or sidegrade to NH U12S?

  • @JT-rq7nt
    @JT-rq7nt Před 5 lety +1

    Would have been interesting to see it also compared to Noctua NH-u12S

  • @user-qn1nk7vl9z
    @user-qn1nk7vl9z Před 3 lety +1

    You say about "best perfomance is d15" but d15s its the same cooler with same temperatures, if u pick up 2 fans. Right?

  • @mordorr001
    @mordorr001 Před 2 lety

    Hello i hope you answer this, bought U12A chromax black but with one F12 fan it was for like half of the price, will it give me the same performance or less?
    I bought one A12x25 single fan i can put it as a rear fan.. What's your opinion.
    Note thta the noise levels is not that much as i have 12400f.

  • @hellcat1988
    @hellcat1988 Před 4 lety

    I wonder what the difference would be running this with noctua static pressure fans instead of airflow. Or better yet, an SP on the intake side and an airflow on the exhaust side, since that was the best for temps on a water cooling radiator.

  • @bloomfield295
    @bloomfield295 Před 5 lety

    Hey man I am very eager to see the 9900k temperatures on this cooler, can u do another video on it?

  • @davegelink
    @davegelink Před 5 lety +5

    I have a D15S and there is no compatibility issue, it maximises the space available. Interesting comparison. I'm waiting for Noctua to release a A14X25 to replace that stock D15S fan ;)

    • @komi1834
      @komi1834 Před 5 lety

      it barely wouldn't fit in my case, so this will be perfect once black Chromax fans come out as i already got Chromax fans in my case

  • @OREvilleRed
    @OREvilleRed Před 5 lety +2

    Would have loved to see U12A vs U12S benchmarks. Also, it's not expensive because it comes with 2 fans

  • @durtyred86
    @durtyred86 Před 5 lety

    What’s the name of the anti static gloves you’re sporting?

  • @michaelnager6059
    @michaelnager6059 Před 5 lety

    An interesting comparison would also have been with the Noctua NH-U9S

  • @bigfirepop
    @bigfirepop Před 4 lety

    Solid review. Do wish to have known the CPU these were tested on. Guessing 8700k/9700k from 95w tdp? Been looking for results of u12a against 9900k for awhile - could it be? :3

  • @Steven-qs6wj
    @Steven-qs6wj Před 5 lety +8

    kyle and paul sent me

  • @Major-Mayhem
    @Major-Mayhem Před 4 lety

    A few Asrock motherboards put the Top Video pcie x16 slot up closer to the fan in a way that the nh-d15s will touch the video card or in a few circumstances overlap the top pcie x16 slot.

  • @CleanteamofNY
    @CleanteamofNY Před 5 lety

    Job well done, Bitwit and Kyle recommend us to view and it was well worth it, thanks!

  • @Ddog666
    @Ddog666 Před 4 lety

    Good review. Unfortunately the U12A is not in the chromax line, so will probably go for the U12S instead.

  • @VoidPhoenix89
    @VoidPhoenix89 Před 5 lety +2

    Bitwit and paulshardware sent me here. Good job

  • @flawns
    @flawns Před 5 lety +1

    is that you stroking your helmet? or do you just need a glass of water?

  • @kevincruz2178
    @kevincruz2178 Před 3 lety

    hello its noctua silent ?

  • @mainpedia
    @mainpedia Před 3 lety

    Is it safe to use this cooler on gigabyte b550 aorus elite? (4 layer pcb)
    Just worried about bending or break the motherboard

  • @scottmurphy4946
    @scottmurphy4946 Před 4 lety +49

    Normies ' ewwww brown'
    Nerds ' premium fans'

  • @xz86
    @xz86 Před 5 lety

    I just returned the d15, the cooler is too tall. I couldn't close the case. is NHU-12a shorter?

    • @HardwareScientist
      @HardwareScientist  Před 5 lety

      Yes it's 7mm shorter. You could also try the D15S which is 5mm shorter than the D15.

  • @John.Torres
    @John.Torres Před 2 lety

    You should add the link for the Noctua NH-D15 chromax.Black, Dual-Tower CPU Cooler (140mm, Black) so I can support your channel

  • @bigpoint58
    @bigpoint58 Před 5 lety

    I´m waiting for the full black editon of Noctuas dual tower next year. It just takes a lot of time to be released :/ Currently using a Dark Rock Pro 4 and I pretty much like it

  • @BasseFiend89
    @BasseFiend89 Před 5 lety

    I'm torn between the performance of the NH-U12A and the looks/performance? Of the Artic Freezer 34 DUO, would you do a comparison video?

    • @HardwareScientist
      @HardwareScientist  Před 5 lety +1

      That looks like a very interesting cooler and I may review it in the future!

  • @allanmh
    @allanmh Před 5 lety

    Awesome hardware says hi

  • @nielsegense
    @nielsegense Před 5 lety +1

    Drunk people sent me... So you better keep up the excellent content!!

  • @heanlygaming5408
    @heanlygaming5408 Před 4 lety

    The fans on the u12a are definately better. But we should consider that the D15/s have two radiators. A good follow up video would be to install the nf-a15 fans on the u12 and vice versa.