Noctua NH-U12S Vs NH-U12A - Cooling - Linus Tech Tips

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I have a Fractal Design Meshify C and I'm looking to get either the Noctua NH-U12S or the NH-U12A and was wandering what the difference between the two are. I see the NH-U12A has a bigger heatsink and two fans, but I can just add a second fan to the NH-U12S

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• 8lec

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the u12 a is newer and has a significantly thicker heatsink. U12 a also comes equipped with NF-A12x25 fans which generally cost a 30 bucks a pop. 

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2 minutes ago, 8lec said:

the u12 a is newer and has a significantly thicker heatsink. U12 a also comes equipped with NF-A12x25 fans which generally cost a 30 bucks a pop. 

Which cpu do you have?

Ryzen 7 3800x. I was considering the NH-U12A because I plan to add a second fan to the U12S, and the U12A already comes with two fans. Would the bigger heatsink affect ram space you think?

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• Jurrunio

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U12A is U12S's replacement. Basically D15 performance (close enough imo, maybe a bit worse) in a smaller package.

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• Zando_

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Just now, Jurrunio said:

U12A is U12S's replacement. Basically D15 performance (close enough imo, maybe a bit worse) in a smaller package.

^^^ This. It's a different finstack, engineered specifically for the two fans it ships with. Performs much better than the U12S, which is an older design. 

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• -rascal-

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3 minutes ago, prostrike33 said:

Ryzen 7 3800x. I was considering the NH-U12A because I plan to add a second fan to the U12S, and the U12A already comes with two fans. Would the bigger heatsink affect ram space you think?

Go with the NH-U12A.

As already mentioned, it is the revised -U12S, and it should have EVEN better RAM clearance, at least according to reviews, etc.

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6 minutes ago, -rascal- said:

 

Go with the NH-U12A.

As already mentioned, it is the revised -U12S, and it should have EVEN better RAM clearance, at least according to reviews, etc.

8 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

U12A is U12S's replacement. Basically D15 performance (close enough imo, maybe a bit worse) in a smaller package.

7 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

^^^ This. It's a different finstack, engineered specifically for the two fans it ships with. Performs much better than the U12S, which is an older design. 

U12A it is. Thanks

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