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 |
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| 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 | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |