Noctua NH-U9 & NH-U12 CPU Coolers

Introduction:

    Today I'm going to be comparing a couple of CPU coolers from Noctua. Not knowing too much about the company, I went and checked out their website. After checking out their products, the only items I noticed were these two coolers: the NH-U9 and NH-U12. These coolers do not come with fans. CRAZY, I TELL YOU! Why wouldn't they ship with fans? Well, Noctua feels that these coolers don't need the extra help. Enough of this... let's start the review.

About the Company:

    Noctua aims at establishing a new level of quality and performance "Designed in Austria" through paying attention to the users' needs in a market burdened with all kinds of frills and furbelows and providing sound-optimised premium components, which serve their purpose in a smart, precise and reliable manner.

    Noctua arises from a cooperation between the Austrian Rascom Computerdistribution Ges.m.b.H and the Taiwanese Kolink International Corporation and entertains a development partnership with the Austrian Institute of Heat Transmission and Fan Technology (Österreichisches Institut für Wärmeübertragung und Ventilatorentechnik, ÖIWV). These connections form the key to the achievement of our goal: The partnership with the ÖIWV permits the application of scientific measurement instrumentation, methods of calculation and simulation technology in the R&D process. Rascom's long, customer-oriented experience in developing and distributing sound-optimised high-end products ensures a clear focus on the users' needs. The use of Kolink's advanced manufacturing technology and ultra-modern production plants allows us to efficiently implement our technical edge and provide solutions of the highest standard in quality and performance at a fair price.
 

Specifications:

Thanks to the 4 Dual-Heat-Pipes, 38 aluminium cooling fins with a total surface area of more than 3800cm² and soldered joints for optimal heat-transfer, the Noctua NH-U9 achieves superior cooling results that barely fall behind those of its big brother, the NH-U12. Its compact measurements and the utilisation of 80 or 92mm fans make the NH-U9 the first choice when mainboard and case compatibility is essential - no matter whether you use it for super-silent or ultra-high-performance cooling!

Socket compatibility: Intel Sockel 478 & LGA 775, AMD K8
Height (without fan): 128 mm
Width (without fan): 95 mm
Depth (without fan): 70 mm
Height (with fan): 128 mm
Width (with fan): 95 mm
Depth (with fan)" 95 mm
Weight 570 g
Material: Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints
Application: P4 all frequencies, AMD all frequencies
Fan size: 92x92x25mm / 80x80x25mm
Fan: none

Thanks to the 4 Dual-Heat-Pipes, 38 aluminium cooling fins with a total surface area of more than 5000cm² and soldered joints for optimal heat-transfer, the Noctua NH-U12 achieves superior cooling performance with a 120mm fan of your choice - no matter whether used for super-silent or ultra-high-performance cooling!

Socket compatibility: Intel Socket 478 & LGA 775, AMD K8
Height: (without fan) 155 mm
Width: (without fan) 124 mm
Depth: (without fan) 70 mm
Height: (with fan) 155 mm
Width: (with fan) 124 mm
Depth: (with fan) 95 mm
Weight: 700 g
Material Copper: (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints
Application: P4 all frequencies, AMD all frequencies
Fan size: 120x120x25mm, 120x120x35mm (2 fans mountable)
Fan: none