Testing:

Let's Install This Machine

The installation method is pretty much the same as the U12P except for a couple details. First, you should read through the instructions to make sure you install the motherboard mounting brackets correctly for best orientation of the CPU cooler. Then the two brackets must be screwed on to the base of the cooler on each side. Some Arctic Silver Thermal Paste Cleaner and Purifier were used to completely clean off the CPU IHS and cooler base. Next, apply the thermal paste.

Set on Top

Tightened Screws

Then the cooler was placed on the CPU while twisting back and forth to help spread the paste out evenly. If your system is mounted vertically like most standard cases, I found that mounting the cooler with the heat pipes facing up distributed the coolers weight more evenly on the motherboard. Next, two springs and screws are alternately tightened on both sides till the cooler is quite secure.

When is it tightened enough? I've found a good rule of thumb to most any installation is to tighten the screws till you just have to start using a little torque. If your board starts to warp, you're tightening a little too far. The cooler in this case doesn't wiggle what so ever.

Fan Attached

Finally, place the 120mm Noctua Fan on top of the cooler and use the two included wires to secure the fan in to place. Don't forget to plug in the fan.

Towers Over Components

It's always a good idea to double check all the connections to make sure nothing was knocked lose or something was left behind. I personally like to use a can of compressed air to make sure the board is cleared off completely. After firing up the system, the BIOS was immediately consulted to check the processor's preliminary temperature for a measure of safety.

The Test System

As per standard operating procedure, the system was allowed to burn in for at least 24 hours whether with stock or aftermarket thermal paste. During testing, the temps were measured at idle, in game, and at full load. The fan has one speed, so it was pretty easy to get the optimal performance numbers.

Idle temps were just slightly higher than the Noctua U12P reviewed some weeks ago. The C12P measured in at an idle 30 C. Desktop temps reached 35 C when something like standard gaming or web surfing were put to the test. And, at full load, the temps reached a maximum 47 C. That's well within acceptable temps as far as performance coolers are concerned.

Now, again, these temps are just slightly higher than the U12P. A couple of things could be contributing these results. The most likely reason is that air flow doesn't quite pass through as freely. Just in case the air flow is the issue, a stronger SilenX 120mm 74CFM fan was used to replace the stock Silent Noctua 120mm fan. Hey, we like it cool!

Temperatures changed slightly which indicates this cooler is almost already at optimum operating efficiency with the stock fan. Idle temps averaged 29 C over a 2 hour period. Desktop temps were about 31 C rather than 35 C. And full load temps stopped rising and averaged 43 C. These are some much better temps especially for standard and full load conditions.

While overclocked, the processor heated up to 31 C at idle, averaged 37 C during desktop use, and 47 C at full system load. Not too bad considering it's a CPU cooler built with only 6mm heat pipes rather than 8mm like the U12P.

This was all achieved using Noctua's Performance Thermal Paste as well. When coupled with their good quality paste, this majestic cooler roars of performance. When you decide to order this cooler, you won't have to order any aftermarket performance thermal paste since it already comes with some great stuff. You won't be disappointed.

Conclusion:

Well, the one thing that the Noctua NH-C12P CPU Cooler has going for it, as well as most all their coolers, is near perfect silence. The design and included cooling fan made for very silent operation whether at low or high CPU stressed conditions. It was all very smooth and free of any vibrations found in cheaper fans. Stock cooler operations are well within cooler specs to beat out any stock or no named cooler.

Another nice benefit of this cooler worth mentioning is the orientation of the fan. It naturally blows air downward on to the motherboard and surrounding PWM heat sinks which lowered the temps few degrees. More ambitious enthusiasts hell bent on pushing for an insane overclock, can obviously use more powerful fan to push the temps even lower for both the cooler and motherboard. You got to love a cooler designed like this if heat is holding back your motherboard's overclocking potential.

Got Noctua?

Given the overall design of the Noctua NH-C12P CPU Cooler, the cooler produces some of the coolest temps seen from a silent, horizontal cooler. It's recommended for any enthusiast wanting the best cooling performance without the side effect of noise should be looking for one of these mean works of art.

Updated 6-28-2008: After speaking directly with Noctua about our original results, the engineers were very quick to notice that performance appeared under spec and were concerned something was amiss with the cooler. Breaking down the cooler and inspecting the components piece by piece, I discovered that the included paste was in fact noticeably inconsistent when compared to another Noctua Thermal Paste tube. After thoroughly cleaning the CPU and cooler's base, as well as new thermal paste via Noctua, the system was tested again. The new results are much improved over the originally posted results.

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