Noctua NH-U12A, Premium CPU Cooler With High ...

The NH-U12A is the latest, 5th generation of Noctua’s award-winning NH-U12 series of 120mm size premium-quality quiet CPU coolers. Conceived to push the envelope of the 120mm form factor, it combines two of Noctua’s flagship model NF-A12x25 PWM 120mm fans with a completely redesigned heatsink featuring 7 heatpipes and an increased fin surface area for superior heat dissipation. This way, the NH-U12A can rival the performance of many 140mm size coolers while offering 120mm class case and PCIe compatibility. Topped off with the trusted, pro-grade SecuFirm2 multi-socket mounting system and Noctua’s proven NT-H1 thermal compound, the NH-U12A is a deluxe choice that combines top-tier performance with excellent compatibility and outstanding quietness of operation.

Award-winning NH-U12 series

First introduced in 2005, Noctua’s NH-U12 series has won more than 600 awards and recommendations from leading international hardware websites and magazines. The NH-U12A is the latest addition to this prestigious series that has established itself as a benchmark for premium-quality quiet 120mm coolers.

100% RAM compatibility on LGA115x and AM4

Due to its asymmetric design, the NH-U12A does not overhang the RAM slots on Intel LGA115x and AMD AM4 based motherboards, which ensures easy access to the modules and 100% compatibility with tall heat-spreaders. On LGA2066, the rear fan will overhang the RAM slots on the left-hand side of the socket, so RAM modules should not exceed 42mm in height.

Dual NF-A12 120mm fans

The NF-A12x25 is a highly optimised next-generation 120mm fan that integrates Noctua’s latest innovations in aerodynamic engineering in order to achieve an unprecedented level of quiet cooling performance. Using this elite-class fan in a push/pull dual fan configuration is one of the cornerstones of the NH-U12A’s commanding performance and acoustic efficiency.

Classic 120mm tower size for excellent case and PCIe compatibility

Standing 158mm tall, the NH-U12A is short enough to fit most modern mid- or high-end tower cases. Measuring 125mm wide (including fan and fan clips), the cooler stays clear of the top PCIe slot on most standard ATX or Micro-ATX motherboards, ensuring optimum compatibility with multi-GPU setups.

Cooler Specifications

Scope of delivery

• 2x NF-A12x25 PWM 120mm fan
• 2x Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A)
• 4-pin PWM y-cable
• SecuFirm2 mounting system for Intel and AMD
• NT-H1 thermal compound
• Noctua Metal Case-Badge

* In cases with more than 158mm CPU cooler clearance, the rear fan can be moved upwards to make room for memory modules taller than 42mm.

Measurements

• Height (without fan): 158 mm
• Width (without fan): 125 mm
• Depth (without fan): 58 mm
• Height (with fan): 158 mm
• Width (with fan): 125 mm
• Depth (with fan): 112 mm

Materials Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating.

140mm performance in 120mm size

Thanks to its completely revised 7 heatpipe layout, 37% more fin surface area and a dual fan push/pull configuration that uses the new, state-of-the-art NF-A12x25 fans, the NH-U12A can actually match or even outperform many 140mm sized coolers.

NH-U12S	NH-U12S TR4-SP3	NH-U12S SE-AM4	NH-U12DX i4	NH-U12S DX-3647	NH-U12A
LGA2066	✔	✖	with NM-I2011	✔	✖	✔
LGA2011-0 & LGA2011-3	✔	✖	with NM-I2011*	✔	✖	✔
LGA115x (LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156)	✔	✖	with NM-i115x*	✖	✖	✔
LGA1366	with NM-I3	✖	with NM-I3	✖	✖	with NM-I3
LGA775	with NM-I3	✖	with NM-I3	✖	✖	with NM-I3
Xeon LGA2011 Narrow ILM / Xeon LGA1366 & LGA1356	✖	✖	✖	✔	✖	✖
Xeon LGA3647	✖	✖	✖	✖	✔	✖
AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1, FM2 (+)	✔	✖	✖	✖	✖	✔
AM4	✔	✖	✔	with NM-AM4*	✖	✔
TR4 & SP3	✖	✔	✖	✖	✖	✖