Today, Noctua introduced the launch of its NH-D12L chromax.black CPU cooler, an all-black model of the present NH-D12L. The cooler sports activities not solely a coat of mattte black paint, but in addition a comparatively quick peak of 145mm, which Noctua says makes the NH-D12L appropriate for slimmer instances and 4U server racks.
Having launched in 2022, the NH-D12L is basically a shorter model of the NH-U12A, which stands at 158mm tall. While loads of instances have the room for a cooler that tall, not all do (particularly small kind issue instances). The NH-D12L exists to supply comparable efficiency because the NH-U12A however for instances the place 145mm would match however 158mm wouldn’t. However, the NH-D12L has only a single 120mm NF-A12x25 fan, whereas the NH-U12A has two. Additionally, the NH-D12L has 5 heatpipes to the NH-U12A’s seven. These two components imply the NH-D12L can’t fairly catch as much as the NH-U12A in terms of cooling capability.
The chromax.black mannequin is virtually equivalent to the unique, however options Noctua’s standard black motif. It ought to carry out the identical, and its SecuFirm 2 mounting {hardware} helps the identical sockets: AMD’s AM4 and AM5, and Intel’s LGA 1700 and LGA 1851 for upcoming Arrow Lake CPUs. Despite its compact design, the NH-D12L additionally has “100% RAM compatibility” for sticks with tall heatspreaders, which typically pose clearance points with air coolers.
The NH-D12L chromax.black additionally comes with the standard Noctua equipment: a screwdriver, NH-T1 thermal paste, and a four-pin low-noise adapter for the NF-A12x25 fan. Additionally, the 120mm fan is mounted to the cooler by way of a bracket, which means no screws are mandatory and it may be eliminated or put in toollessly.
At $99/€109, the NH-D12L is positioned pretty excessive available in the market, subsequent to bigger high-end air coolers similar to Corsair’s A115, in addition to 240mm to 360mm AIO liquid coolers. However, the NH-D12L holds a considerable benefit in its dimension and compatibility, and whereas many of those high-end air coolers are 160mm tall or extra, the NH-D12L is simply 145mm. In some instances, even 15mm might make a giant distinction.
