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The build quality is very good, the aluminum fins are evenly finished on the edges and the soldering between the heatpipes and the baseplate is done very well. The installation process is simple not only because the SecuFirm2™ mounting system has been refined among the years, but because there is easy access to the screws, due to the shape of the cooler. The idle test consists of the CPU sitting idle at the desktop for 30 minutes, the temperature was measured at the end of the test. These compact coolers are designed to provide adequate cooling power in space-constrained environments, and as such many SFF builders prefer to use lower-power CPUs like AMD’s Ryzen 5 7600 or Intel’s i5-12400. Still, for today’s testing, we’ll be pairing them with Intel’s i9-13900K to see just how much – or little – these coolers can handle. But we’ll also be testing with different power limits, which will tell us a lot about how these coolers will perform with lower-end CPUs. The NH-L12S is supplied with the fan NF-A12x15 PWM. The high-performance 120 mm fan with a maximum of 1,850 rpm and 23.9 dB (A) noise is particularly quiet, yet delivers an above-average cooling performance with a flow rate of 94.2 m³ / h. Outstanding refrigeration coupled with the small size contribute to an amazing product.
The built-in fan supports the automatic regulation of the rotational speed by pulse width modulation (PWM). By means of a supplied low-noise adapter it is possible to limit the maximum speed of the fan to 1,400 rpm and make the fan even quieter.
The NH-L12S is distinguished above all by its flexible installation: the fan can be installed above the cooling ribs. Then the cooler supports RAM modules with an overall height of up to 45mm. If, on the other hand, the fan is installed below the cooling fins, the total height is only 70mm. The housing can be so tiny, the NH-L12S fits almost everywhere and ensures sufficient cooling at low volume.
That said, SFF coolers aren’t designed to handle the full power of CPUs like Intel’s i9-13900K or Ryzen 7950X, and when using one the CPU will likely reach TJMax (the maximum temperature before throttling occurs) in many workloads. So if I were to apply the same standards I use for standard cooler testing to SFF coolers, most of them would simply fail. Clearance issues should be considered in the build, with RAM support up to 48mm and a cautionary note regarding cooler direction beyond that height. You Are Looking for a Mirror-Like Finish on the Cooler Base: The Noctua NH-L12S features a base without a polished, mirror-like finish. If aesthetics are a priority, especially for visible components, this may not be the ideal choice. Final Thoughts The idle temperature was 5.9°C on 3700MHz. Under stress test it was 42.9°C. These are delta temperatures. Under load, the temps were in 70s. NoiseThe Noctua NH-L12S is a CPU cooler that is designed for small form factor systems. The performance is good, when considering the size of the heatsink and the number of heatpipes. We are thankful to the Noctua for giving us the opportunity to review their NH-L12S Low Profile CPU Cooler. The Noctua NH-L12S, a revision of the NH-L12 CPU Cooler, surpasses its predecessor in catering to space-constrained builds like SFF/HTPC configurations. Standing at 70mm in height, it offers low-profile cooling, extending to 85mm when the fan is mounted on top. Users have the option to install a 120x120x25mm fan on the top side, increasing the cooler’s height to 95mm—take note of clearance considerations.
Intel LGA2066, LGA2011, LGA2011, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150 and AMD AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, AM4, FM1, FM2, FM2+ In terms of sound, the included Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM reached a maximum sound level of 39 decibels, measured at a distance of 10 cm away from the cooler.
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Inside of the chassis, a view many will see every day, we can see the NF-A12x15 PWM fan mostly, with fins showing through its gaps. We see the pipes to the left, and they cleared the heat sink with ease, leaving room to connect the 8-pin EPS cable. To the right, we can see the smallest bit of the pipe tips, and the memory is also partially visible. Test System Setup, Thermal Tests, and Noise Results Chad's CPU Cooler Test System Specifications Featuring sophisticated aerodynamic optimisations such as Flow Acceleration Channels, the NF-A12x15 is a premium-grade slim 120mm fan. Its outstanding efficiency allows the NH-L12S to provide even better performance than the previous model with its 92mm fan. PWM support and Low-Noise Adaptor The NF-A12x15 premium fan supplied with the NH-L12S supports PWM for convenient automatic speed control through the motherboard. In addition, the maximum fan speed can be reduced from 1850 to 1400rpm using the supplied Low-Noise Adaptor for even quieter operation. 120x25mm fan support
As long as you pay attention when purchasing the RAM to go under the MH-L12S, we foresee no issues in your future. It clears the PCI-e slot, there is access all around it, and the airflow direction can be changed based on needs. For those tiny boxes with a PSU on top of the CPU cooler, blowing air through the cooler and into the PSU is the best course of action.
Small but handy
You have a Space-Constrained Build: This low-profile Noctua NH-L12S cooler is ideal for Small Form Factor (SFF) and Home Theater PC (HTPC) builds with limited space. Maximum noise level on the NF-A9x14 at the full speed is 25 dBA under full load. It was 12 dBA when idling. Should You Buy It? You Prefer a Quiet Cooling Solution: With the bundled NF-A12x15 PWM fan featuring Noctua’s SSO2 bearings and Low-Noise Adaptor (LNA), this cooler offers effective cooling with minimal noise. Don’t Buy It If:
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