Noctua NH-P1 Review (Page 4 Of 4) - APH Networks

Page 4 - Conclusion

Did Noctua's first ever passive CPU cooler prove to be on the same level of quality as their other cooling products? The answer is not so easy here as there are many factors to consider with a passive cooler. The silent performance is the best advantage with the Noctua NH-P1 as a cooling fan is not strictly required for operation. It is important to note Noctua provides special instruction for how to make the most out of the passive cooler, something we could not accommodate for in our comparison tests. Even though the NH-P1 had higher temperature readings than the compared coolers, it is still quite impressive that a cooler with no fan was able to keep an enthusiast CPU cool with no issues and even matching an all-in-one liquid unit with a fan attached. Other positives include the solid build quality Noctua is known for. Despite being a very large cooler, the NH-P1 is compatible with modern hardware. The installation process was just as easy as any Noctua cooler we have reviewed in the past, which is always nice. On the nitpicky side, I would say the raw silver color scheme is a bit outdated when compared to other coolers like Noctua’s own NH-D15S chromax.black. At a retail price of $110, this is leaning towards the expensive side. In addition, you would have to add an extra $30 for the Noctua NF-A12x25 LS-PWM fan. However, I would say the initial price is reasonable considering you are paying for a cooler that can operate without any fan. Overall, the Noctua NH-P1 is an achievement to be appreciated. This is a great product for those looking to start passive cooling with the goal of crafting a system that emits as little noise as possible.

Noctua provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.

APH:Renewal Award | APH Networks Review Focus Summary: 8/10 means Definitely a very good product with drawbacks that are not likely going to matter to the end user. 7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks, but should be considered before purchasing. -- Final APH Networks Numeric Rating is 7.5/10 Please note that the APH Networks Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other publications.

The Noctua NH-P1 is a respectable passive CPU cooler that actually works for those who desire a silent build.

Page Index 1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications 2. Physical Look - Hardware, Installation 3. Test Results 4. Conclusion