Overclockers Tech » TAKTAK

Noctua NH-U12P SE2 Premium CPU Cooler

TAKTAK — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:39:57 +0000

In the ever advancing world of technology, products – even companies – come and go in an instant.Â One company, Noctua, that was founded in Austria; through cooperation between the Austrian Rascom Computer distribution Ges.m.b.H and the Taiwanese Kolink International Corporation, seems to be here to stay.Â After having a hit with their split fan range offering higher airflow (NF-S12) vs higher static pressure (NF-P12), while remaining relatively silent throughout! They have returned with an enhanced version of their NH-U12P, dubbed the NH-U12P SE2 Premium CPU cooler.

So, since the NH-U12P performs comparatively well to other coolers according to various sources on the internet, on paper the NH-U12P SE2 should be an interesting product.

An important point to note is that due to the customized back plate the NH-U12P SE2 is incompatible with the Intel Xeon 5500 platform; however, Noctua has an alternative in the form of the NH-U12DX 1366.

The official specifications, which can be found online at Noctuaâ€™s website here or below in pictorial format.

As you can see from the specifications, the socket compatibility out of the box is expansive, covering most users’Â needs. Additionally they also tell us that the weight is slightly less than 1KG! However, due to motherboards being quite flexible, this would not damage your hardware if the motherboard is installed correctly.

Continue overleaf for the packaging…

Noctua NF-S12B FLX

TAKTAK — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:07:17 +0000

Today we are taking a look at the NF-S12B FLX fan, which in Noctuaâ€™s own words is not a direct competitor to the NF-P12â€™s We would like to take this time to thank Noctua for providing the review samples. So without any further ado let us bring you the low-down of this product.

Introduction

The NF-S12B is the successor to the popular NF-S12, the main changes being a more advanced blade structure and motor assembly, this has the knock on effect of lowering the noise of the fan overall.Â However, unlike the NF-P12 the NF-S12B is more geared towards a low impedance application, for example as case airflow (exhaust or input) or a CPU cooler with a low amount of fins per inch. Noctua demonstrate this tiered approach with a diagram as follows:

Two tier approach

This diagram shows how the NF-P12 is geared towards higher impedance applications, such as a radiator with tight fin spacings whereas the NF-S12B attacks the silence and airflow quadrants, Noctua seem to place a lot of bearing on the quietness of the NF-S12B.

You may remember from the P12 review that we said it was the quietest 120mm fan that we had come across, well, the S12B has changed that, we didnâ€™t see it coming and didnâ€™t think it was possible, but the S12B isquieter than the P12. Obviously Noctua must have achieved this through use of magic and have managed to fit lots of pixies inside the fan, there is no other way of describing how they have managed it. We described the P12 as a silent fan, so with this in mind, the S12B must be sub-silent as it manages to be quieter. However do not our word for it, here are some audio snippets of the fans:

P12 snippet

If the snippet does not load, click here

{mp3}http://www.gilgameshreviews.com/images/reviews/TAKTAK/Noctua/NF-S12B-FLX/P12.mp3{/mp3}

S12B FLX snippet

If the snippet does not load, click here

{mp3}http://www.gilgameshreviews.com/images/reviews/TAKTAK/Noctua/NF-S12B-FLX/S12B Flx.mp3{/mp3}

Generic snippet

If the snippet does not load, click here

{mp3}http://www.gilgameshreviews.com/images/reviews/TAKTAK/Noctua/NF-S12B-FLX/Generic2.mp3{/mp3}

In order to maintain a fair test the microphone was placed on top of each fan in exactly the same position.Â Furthermore, in order to be able to hear the two Noctuaâ€™s the gain of the files had to be increased, therefore in the interests of fairness each file had the gain increased by 36dB. Obviously the audible level of the fans that you hear depends upon your system setup but they are accurate relative to each other. You may need to increase your volume to be able to hear the files.

Packaging

While describing the noise (or lack of) from the fans, we have got ahead of ourselves, so here is the packaging of the NF-S12B FLX:

Front	Back

As you can see, Noctua have stuck to their guns and used their typical package colours with a brown and black gradient, key information is highlighted by the use of a blue background and the version is further highlighted through the use of a green surround.

As with the NF-P12 packaging, the S12B FLX also has a flap that explains the various technologies that are behind the fan:

Left flap	Right flap

Here is a breakdown of the different technologies in order for you to get a better understanding of how the different aspects function:

Bevelled blade tips

Airflow/Noise

Pressure/Noise

NF-S12B FLX vs NF-S12

Noctua SSO-Bearing

Bearing comparison

(Images courtesy of HERE)

As you can see by the comparisons to its predecessor, the NF-S12B FLX strides into the future with furor, leaving competitors and indeed it’s own kind by the wayside. Can anyone topple Noctua?

Surely there is a limit to how much diversification and refinement that can take place within a fan, and surely Noctua will soon reach that limit…

Features of the fan

Features

Specifications

Specification

As you can see by the features and the specification, the S12-B FLX is a well equipped kit, boasting 59.2CFM @ 1200RPM whilst keeping a sombre 18.1dB. Things get even more interesting when the fan is used in conjunction with the L.N.A and the U.L.N.A.Â When using the L.N.A adapter, the fan provides 44.6CFM @ 10.6dB, and we think that 10.6dB is low enough for anyone. However, you can go a step further. If used with the U.L.N.A adapter, the fan provides a sultry 28.9CFM, but at a noise level of 6.2dB. That is not a typo, they really are boasting a noise level of just over 6 decibels.

To be honest though, we canâ€™t really see an application for the U.L.N.A in this instance, as while it drastically drops the air movement, it only makes a small dent in the volume.Â We would have thought that practically all users would be more than happy with a fan running at 10.6dB, and you would be hard pressed to find an environment where that was audible.Â However, we do applaud Noctua for giving users the option of using it.

Contents

Inner packaging

The inner packaging is exactly the same as that of the NF-P12.Â This is good because the P12 provided a huge amount of options

Included in the kit are:

4-Silicon Mounts
4-Screws
1-U.N.L.A.
1-L.N.A.
1-3pin to Molex Adapter
1-Noctua NF-S128FLX Fan

Accessories

Rubber fan mounts

We covered the noise adapters in the P12 review which can be seen HERE, so we will move on to the fan itself.

Front	Side

Back

As with the P12, the S12B provides a generous cable length which is kept tidy by the use of rubber tubing and heat-shrink at the ends, it is a small feature, but it vastly improves the aesthetics overall.

Bevelled blades

Here you can see one of the major selling points of the fan, the blade tips which help to lower the acoustical noise.

Testing

The test setup used is as follows:

-AMD Athlon 6400+ black edition

-ASUS ROG Crosshair

-OCZ Reaper 2x2GB

-EVGA GTX260 SSC

-Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme

Test rig

The results were obtained by using Orthos to stress the CPU and by using speenfan for temperature readouts! The CPU was left to cooldown to idle temperatures again for 1 hour for each result. To obtain the load temperatures the CPU was stressed for 15 minutes, in order to ensure that results are as accurate as possible.

Results

Temperatue comparison

LNA Results

ULNA Results

LNA + ULNA Results

Results conclusion

We find the results quite surprising, as the S12B FLX is intended for low impedance situations such as for case airflow, but the S12B FLX still managed to outshine the NF-P12 by a few degrees on most of the tests. Out-shining the P12 is a tough task to undertake for any fan, but for a fan that is intended for a different situation to be able to do it is amazing. However, if you are looking for a fan to use on a radiator then the NF-P12 is the fan for you, a radiator tends to have much tighter fin spacings compared to standard CPU tower coolers meaning that the additional static pressure that the P12 provides brings it into it’s element.

The results show that the NFS12B FLX is a very wise investment for a fan, even quieter than the NF-P12 while performing better in low impedance situations makes it a no-brainer.

Conlusion

As shown by the results, the NF-S12B FLX is a wonderful piece of engineering and technological advancement! However one thing that has become apparent in the use of the fan, is that there is now less need for the P12. With the S12B FLX performing better in low impedance situations of which most of the market will be using. The P12 is then pushed further into the corner as an ‘extreme product’ for use by those that use radiators with tight fin spacings, which in terms of market share is a very small percentage.

The NF-S12B FLX is a hard cookie to crack. At first it just seems strange that Noctua have made a fan quieter than the NF-P12, but then you find out that it performs better, one thing that we think would be interesting, is what would happen if you combined the 9 blades and vortex control notches of the NF-P12 with the bevelled blades of the S12B FLX, does it make a super fan or have disasterous consequences?

Pros	Cons
Package quality, contains many extras Good airflow Good performance Silent operation 6 year warranty Colour*	Expensive compared to alternatives Colour*

*Dependant on personal tastes.

Here at Gilgamesh Reviews we have a three tier rating system. A Silver Award, an Editors Choice Award, and our top honor the Gold Award. To achieve the Gold Award a product must demonstrate a performance level above and beyond the normal, the Noctua NF-S12B FLX does exactly that.

Once again we wish to thank Noctua for providing the review samples

Noctua has fast become one of our recommended brands, not through bribery or friendship, but with sheer performance advancing products such as the NF-P12 fans
Â

Noctua NF-P12

TAKTAK — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:24:00 +0000

Introduction

In the beginning, when Man made machines, it became clear that some people were more enthusiastic about technology than others, indeed some people just want the utmost performance possible for the minimum price, often sacrificing other areas to achieve this.

While others decided that performance was important, there was a necessity for quiet operation too, so in order to decrease noise they were willing to sacrifice performance. Unfortunately, these two different groups co-existed for a long time, and many failed to persuade users of the other faction to switch their allegiance, until that is, Noctua came along…

Established in 2005, Noctua arose from a cooperation of the Austrian Rascom Computer distribution and the Taiwanese cooling specialist ,Kolink International Corporation. Combining more than ten years of experience in the development, manufacturing and marketing of high-end cooling components, Noctua was born

Today, Noctua is present in more than 30 countries across the globe and working with several hundred sales partners.

So what does Noctua mean?

The little owl, Athene noctua, is the symbol of the Greek goddess Athene, who represents wisdom, science and strategy. This it seems a very prudent choice for a technology company.

However, We digress…

Due to the advancement of technology, there is a real need to move hot air away from the thermal structures that adorn our systems. The best tried and tested method is by using a fan, but with so many companies claiming that their products are the best, how do you choice the right one? The answer is simple really, going back to the beginning, there are two choices, high airflow or silence. You have to pick your poison, however, Noctua believes that they have solved this problem…

Specification

As you can see, the specifications of the NF-P12 are quite impressive, offering ~54.3CFM @19.8dB, but one thing that a decibel rating doesnâ€™t cover is the actual pitch of the sound that the fan outputs, this will be covered later in the review.

Packaging

The outer box is quite fancy for a fan, it features simple colours and lots of information. There is a window on the front of the box which allows you to see the blades of the fan and a silicon mount.

Front	Back

The box also has a little flap, which honestly was not noticed for a long time, underneath the flap is lots of extra information about various aspects of the fan:

Left side	Right side

To make things easier, here are the various sections of information, first there is the nine blade design with vortex control notches:

9 Blade Design

Then there is the staggering of the vortex control notches:

Staggering of VCN

Next, there is a comparison between the P12s trailing edge and standard trailing edges:

Trailing edge vortices

Joining edge

Then the SSO bearing operation is detailed:

SSO Bearing

And finally a comparison of different bearings:

Bearing comparison

Package contents

Inner packaging

Included in the package are:

Low-Noise-Adapter (L.N.A)
Ultra-Low-Noise Adapter (U.L.N.A)
3pin to molex adapt er
4 Silicon mounts
4 Fan screws
1 NF-P12 fan

Silicon mounts	LNA \| ULNA \| 3pin convertor

The noise lowering adapters have different resistors in series with the supply line, the â€œLow noise adapterâ€ houses a 51ohm resistor*, which would drop the voltage from 12 volts to ~8.7v

LNA Resistor

The â€œUltra Low noise adapterâ€ houses an 82ohm resistor*, which would drop the voltage from 12 volts down to ~7.4v

ULNA Resistor

There is of course nothing to stop you connecting both low noise connectors in series and having a potential 133ohm reduction, meaning the voltage supply to the fan would be lowered to ~6v

The silicon mounts allow you to mount the fans without having direct contact between the case and the fan itself, this means that vibration isnâ€™t transferred to the chassis structure, which means that you donâ€™t get an annoying rattle.

The 3pin to molex connector allows you to use the fan in any situation do to the universal appeal of the connector.

*both resistors are rated for +/-5%

The fan

In true Noctua attire, the fan is in the usual â€˜love-it-or-hate-itâ€™ colours, sporting a golden beige frame and a brown blade structure.

Front	Side	Rear

As you can see in the photo, the blades have notches cut out of the edges, this is the clever part of the fan, the notches act to reduce the noise output of the fan by spreading the sound output over a wider range of frequencies.

Close-up of the notches:

Notches

The fan is designed with sound levels in mind and due to the nine fan blades, the structure of the way lends itself to optimal pressure. This means that the fan will perform better in restricted environments such as on a radiator or CPU cooler with close fin spacing.

The fan’s smoothness of operation is ensured by the usage of smooth commutation drive which reduces torque variations.

The quiet operation is maintained via the use of a self-stabilising oil-pressure bearing.

As mentioned earlier on, the pitch of the noise emitted from a fan can be very distracting, thankfully the Noctua is a pleasant low whir.

The fan also has a generous cable length of ~40cm, the cable also has a rubber casing and is heat shrunk to keep things tidy.

Testing

Unfortunately, we donâ€™t have fancy gizmos that measure the amount of flux being cut within the motor, or the air pressure and sound levels. However, for all of the 120mm fans that I have come across, without a shadow of a doubt, the P12 is the quietest when running at 12v.

The easiest way to describe the noise (or lack of), is that it is approximately the same as a standard fan that has been volt-modded to 7v, or as loud as rubbing your fingers together if you have rough skin. The fan is nice and quiet, but with the added benefit of higher airflow.

However, as soon as you start to add the L.N.A adapters, it just wipes the floor with everything else, the 51ohm adaptor makes the fan practically inaudible while still pushing a decent amount of air.

The 82ohm wire as far as we could discern, only reduced the noise level slightly more, but reduced the airflow somewhat.

Stringing the two adapters together makes the whole thing as silent as can be, the only way you can tell it is still spinning is by looking at it, or by sticking your tongue in it (which isnâ€™t recommended)

The test setup used to test these fans is as follows:

-AMD Athlon 6400+ black edition

-ASUS ROG Crosshair

-OCZ Reaper 2x2GB

-EVGA GTX260 SSC

-Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme

Test rig

Results

Temperature comparison

Temperature comparison using NF-P12 in conjunction

with the LNA

Temperature comparison using the NF-P12 in conjunction

with the ULNA

Temperature comparison using the NF-P12 in conjunction

with the UNLA and LNA

The ‘generic’ fan used for testing was a Thermaltake TT-1225 pulling air through the cooler

Results conclusion

As shown by the graphs, the NF-P12 is a valid choice in terms of keeping things cool and air flowing. The NF-P12 was consistently better than the generic fan while being much quieter. The P12 is designed with high static pressure in mind, it should therefore perform even better if used in situations such as radiators or coolers with a high amount of fins per inch. Noctua themselves recognise that while a fan can be used in lots of situations, using the right fan in the correct situation can help you increase performance a little more. Noctua address this by 2 different strategies:

- A quiet high pressure fan

-A quiet high airflow fan

This chart describes the 2 different approaches:

Two-Fold approach

Conclusion

It is blindingly obvious the amount of science and time which has been invested in the NF-P12. There is no doubt that it is the best 120mm fan that we have ever come across, low noise combined with decent airflow makes it a winner.

However, as with everything good, there is a downside, and the P12â€™s downside is its cost. At Â£18 and $22 USD, some may find it hard to stomach. However, with a life expectancy of 150,000+ hours, and backed by a 6 year warranty it is unlikely that you will need to buy a replacement any time soon

Pros	Cons
Package quality, contains many extras Good airflow Silent operation 6 year warranty Colour*	Expensive compared to alternatives Colour*

*Dependant on personal tastes.