Noctua NH-C12P CPU Cooler

Vote: Thumbs Down or Thumbs Up Our Rating: 95%       Manufacturer: Noctua

Test Results

TweakTown uses a different method for testing CPU heatsinks which allows for an even playing field across all product tests. We feel that by using the same ambient temperature and strict lab-like testing procedures we are able to accurately compare one product to another. More information on our testing procedure can be found in the T.E.C.C. article here.

You can always tell how well a cooler and fan are paired by how close the idle and load temperatures are together. Aside from being well paired, the Noctua NH-C12P was able to beat out the ZEROtherm ZEN FZ120 and Sunbeamtech Core-Contact Freezer, our most recent performance leaders. The C12U variant not only beat the U12P, but all of the other coolers we have tested over the last year in both idle and load tests. This included the U12P when using two Noctua fans.

The fan on the C version is the same as the U tower version and the numbers recorded were the same, other than the additional 1dB we recorded extra on the Load, 12 Volt setting. There are many reasons why this can happen, but we are not going to worry about 1dB. Still, the fan is quiet and it can be recommended for nearly all situations.