Installation:

    Installation is just like any other tower style heat sink. The motherboard needs to be removed from the the case. The stock bracket around the CPU needs to be removed, along with the stock brace on the back of the motherboard. Replace the stock brace with the one supplied with the cooler. With the motherboard still out of the case, this is a good time to test fit the cooler for clearance. I prefer to install the cooler outside the case. Just be careful when reinstalling the motherboard back into the case. You don't want to hit the cooler and do damage to the CPU or motherboard.

   Since the cooler can be installed on several types of CPU sockets, please follow the instruction manual for your application.

Vibration dampers

Fan clip

Fan clip locked

U9 clearance

U9 installed

U12 Installed/Heat sink is making contact with RAM

Testing:

    I know we all want the coolest and quietest computers out there. Well, when I read that these coolers like to go fanless I was a bit skeptical. As you can figure out from the test results, I was impressed. The U12 was under 40c on 100% load and no fan. Unreal... I thought for sure the temps would skyrocket. They didn't. The temps gradually rose and leveled off after 7 minutes of testing.

Noctua FAQ:

Is it possible to cool my CPU without a fan (passive) using the NH-U coolers?

The NH-U coolers weren't originally designed for passive operation although the cooling performance is sufficient in many cases. Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to indicate whether a certain CPU can or cannot be cooled without a fan, as this depends on various factors such as case temperature, case ventilation or the orientation of the socket. Generally, we recommend using a fan in the first instance and then lowering RPM while constantly monitoring the temperature.

View full FAQ list at Noctua here.

Conclusion:

   For those who have the room for the U12, I would suggest on getting that. If not, the U9 comes close to cooling under load. If you are looking for quiet computing and a CPU cooler that is not completely dependent on a loud cooling fan, I suggest giving either one of the Noctua coolers a try... with results like these, you're sure to be impressed as well.