Noctua
Noctua NH-U12A
The Noctua NH-U12A lands as a entry-level cpu cooler, built around Air.
45/100
AirLGA1200AM4Brown
£114best price at Amazon
In stock at 1 retailer
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Why we rate it
- PWM fans
- LGA1700 support
- LGA1851 support
- Below-average fan count
Score profile
Scored against the cpu coolers classWhere the Noctua NH-U12A wins and loses
Full specification
Grouped · supported features marked in blueSpecifications
Type and dimensions
Cooler typeAir
Heatsink height158 mm
Heatpipes7
Performance
Fan count25
Fan size120 mm
Fan and pump
PWM fansYes
Compatibility
Intel socketsLGA1200
AMD socketsAM4
LGA1700 supportYes
LGA1851 supportYes
AM5 supportYes
Features and aesthetics
ColourBrown
Warranty6 years
Head to head
Highlighted cell = better in that rowNoctua NH-U12A vs ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420
Noctua NH-U12ALiquid Freezer III Pro 420
| NoctuaNoctua NH-U12AThis page | ARCTICLiquid Freezer III Pro 420 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 45 /100 | 47 /100Better |
| Cooler type | Air | 38 |
| Radiator size | — | 38 mm |
Who it's for
Is the Noctua NH-U12A right for you?
Buy it if
Buyers on a budget
Anyone who needs a dependable cpu cooler for the essentials without overspending.
Skip it if
Skip it if
You need flagship-tier performance, in which case a higher-tier cpu cooler is the better call.
Performance builder
Chasing frames and headroom in a high-end rig.
okay
Mainstream builder
Wants strong value in a balanced build.
good
Budget builder
Stretching every pound in an entry rig.
excellent
Common questions
Before you buy
Is the Noctua NH-U12A worth it?
It depends on what you need. It scores 45/100 against other cpu coolers, a entry-level result where the class average is around 51.
What stands out on the Noctua NH-U12A?
Its pwm fans stands out, a genuinely useful feature if your setup calls for it.
How does it compare to the MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 360 AIO?
The MSI MPG CORELIQUID P13 360 AIO scores 46/100 versus this one at 45/100, so it is the step up on the spec sheet.
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