Best Noctua CPU coolers: Top 11 Options Tested [2021] (2023)

In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the best (and most popular) Noctua CPU coolers tested. We tested these based on the following criteria: Tested with Noctua NH-U12S CPU cooler Tested at 32oC and 171oF for at least 5 minutes Unlocked, Noctua NF-A15 fan Tested with various Noctua NF-A15 fan modules Tested with a Noctua NH-U9 CPU cooler Tested with no fan speed controls Tested at the same time for optimal results

Noctua is a company that has been around for long enough to have built up a large and loyal fanbase. They are a premium company that makes high quality products at a reasonable price. They are a company that make quiet and high performance products. They are a company that are kind and provide good customer support.

You can’t really go wrong by purchasing a Noctua cooler. The company’s products are simply the best when it comes to noise, performance and other factors, and they are even among the best when it comes to build quality. That’s why we were excited to test the following 11 Noctua coolers that are among the best in their class, and we’ve ranked them according to the following criteria.

In the world of CPU cooling, Noctua is a household name. They are always producing the finest CPU coolers.

However, there are so many models to select from that it may be difficult to determine which one to purchase.

Are you in a hurry? Take a look at my favorite noctua cooler.

As a gamer and enthusiast, I’m always keeping an eye on the market to learn about the finest coolers available. It also assists me in determining the finest CPU cooling for my gaming system.

So, in this article, I’ve compiled a list of the top 11 best Noctua CPU air coolers for various use cases and situations so that anybody can easily choose one.

Continue reading to learn how to choose the finest Noctua CPU cooler for your computer.

Also, for your chassis, see our expert-recommended best low-profile cpu cooler.

Overview of the Top 11 Noctua CPU Coolers

A strong CPU generates a lot of heat, which must be effectively removed from the PC casing. Otherwise, the CPU will experience heat throttling and operate at a lower level than it is capable of. As a result, a good CPU cooling is a must-have.

As a result, these are the top 11 Noctua CPU coolers:

Black Noctua NH-D15 chromax

The chromax of the Noctua NH-D15. The finest CPU air cooler on the market, Black, outperforms even the highest-rated liquid coolers.

The Noctua NH-D15 chromax’s most noteworthy features.Black:

• 140mm twin tower CPU cooler
• 2x NF-A15 PWM 140mm fans
• Mounting system SecuFirm2
• Thermal compound NT-H1
• Heatsink coverings NA-HC3 and NA-HC4 are optional for various color schemes.

Check out the current Noctua NH-D15 chromax.Black price.

The cooling system for the CPU is massive. Its dual-tower construction raises its height to 160mm. Make sure your PC case can accommodate it.

If it does, you’re in for a real treat. The heat sink’s twin towers and six heat pipes provide a larger surface area and greater heat dispersion. It is the most powerful CPU air cooler on the market when combined with the highly rated twin NF-A15 140mm PWM fans.

Its air cooling performance is so impressive that it can compete with even the finest AIOs on the market. The CPU cooler also performs well in terms of noise and construction quality.

It’s remarkably quiet for a cooler of this size and with two fans. The chromax of the Noctua NH-D15. The Noctua D15 Black is an all-black variant of the popular Noctua D15, and the color palette is extremely sleek and covert. This CPU cooler looks and feels fantastic, thanks to its quality construction.

Also, don’t forget to have a look at our best fanless CPU cooler if you want to run your PC quietly.

Its recessed bottom fins offer RAM clearance of up to 64mm in height in single fan mode. Only standard height memory modules with a height of 32mm may be used in twin fan mode.

To summarize, the Noctua NH-D15 chromax.Black is the finest air cooler for overclockers and enthusiasts who want to keep their flagship CPUs cool.

Pros

• »Excellent cooling capacity
• »Excellent performance on overclocked CPUs
• In single fan mode, there is sufficient space for RAM modules.
• »low levels of noise for the performance

Cons

• »In dual fan mode, tall RAM is not possible to utilize.

Noctua NH-U12A, Noctua NH-U12A, Noctua NH

One of the finest single tower 120mm CPU coolers is the Noctua NH-U12A.

The Noctua NH-U12A has the following features:

• Included are two NF-A12x25 120mm PWM fans.
• Noctua’s NH-U12 series is now in its fifth iteration.
• seven heat pipes made of copper
• Thermal compound NT-H1 was used.
• Height: 158mm

Check out the current Noctua NH-U12A price.

The Noctua tradition of manufacturing high-performance CPU coolers continues here. The Noctua NH-U12A is a high-performance 120mm air cooler that can compete with even the finest 140mm CPU coolers.

The nickel coating, seven copper heat pipes, and aluminum fins provide a strong performance while air cooling even the most powerful CPUs. When used in a push-pull arrangement, the two NF-A12x25 120mm PWM fans provide excellent airflow to the heatsink. The audience also excels at acoustics.

This month, check out the award-winning best nzxt aio cooler.

Let us now turn our attention to the design.

The cooler is 158mm height, making it suitable for most mATX and ATX chassis. The cooler’s asymmetrical shape prevents it from hanging over the RAM slots on Intel LGA 115x and AMD AM4 motherboards, as many similar coolers do.

It comes with the well-known Noctua Thermal compound NT-H1 already installed, which is a nice touch. Except for the brown and beige color scheme, which some may dislike, the Noctua NH-U12A is near-perfect in every way.

Pros

• »Wonderful cooling
• »Highly compatible with the majority of motherboards
• »two high-performance PWM fans are provided

Black Noctua NH-D15S chromax

The chromax of the Noctua NH-D15S. Black is a smaller version of one of Noctua’s best-performing CPU air coolers.

The Noctua NH-D15S chromax has the following features: Black:

• Asymmetrical twin tower design
• lower fins that are recessed
• 1x 140mm PWM NF-A15 fan is included
• For RAM modules, there is a 65mm clearance.
• Heatsink coverings NA-HC3 and NA-HC4 are optional, as are anti-vibration pads NA-SAVP3.

Check out the current Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black price.

This cooler’s primary selling point is its small footprint. The Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black is a more compact version of the NH-D15 chromax.Black.

The twin tower aluminum heatsink is retained for greater heat dissipation area, but the width is reduced by installing just one fan rather than two. In addition, the heatsink is asymmetrical, which means it does not cover the main PCIe slot.

Because it features recessed fins, you may install memory modules that are up to 65mm height. The Noctua NH-D15S chromax is what I’m referring about. Black is very compatible with LGA 115x or AM4 sockets, as well as LGA 20xx sockets with RAM slots on both sides of the CPU.

Check out the TR4 socket compatible CPU cooler.

What’s even better?

For the most part, the NH-excellent D15’s cooling capacity is retained. As a result, you get almost identical thermals but with better compatibility and a lower footprint.

If you don’t like the all-black color scheme, Noctua offers replacement heatsink covers in a variety of colors. As a result, that’s a positive.

Overall, the Noctua NH-D15S chromax comes highly recommended. Anyone searching for a high-performance CPU cooler in a compact package should choose Black.

Pros

• »Excellent thermal efficiency
• »virtually deafening silence
• »superb compatibility

Cons

• »wouldn’t fit into cases that were any smaller than normal cases

Noctua NH-U14S, Noctua NH-U14S, Noctua NH

The Noctua NH-U14S is a 140mm single tower CPU cooler with excellent performance for high-end CPUs.

The Noctua NH-U14S has the following features:

• 1x NF-A15 140mm PWM fan
• Heatsink with six heat pipes, 140mm single tower
• slender form of 52mm
• SecuFirm2 multi-socket mounting solution is supported.
• Footprint: 165x150mm
• LGA 2066 and 2011 RAM modules have adequate clearance

Check the current price of the Noctua NH-U14S.

The thin version of the Noctua NH-U14 is the Noctua NH-U14S. As a consequence, it shares the majority of its characteristics with it, with a few exceptions.

It fits into most motherboards because to its compact 52mm heatsink. Because many CPU coolers of this magnitude don’t fit into tiny places, it’s necessary.

Its height and breadth are 165mm and 150mm, respectively, allowing it to fit into most desktop cases while still supporting SLI and Crossfire multi-GPU configurations. So, if you’re searching for a high-performance CPU cooler that fits in standard PC cases, this is the best option.

The award-winning NF-A15 140mm PWM fan guarantees that your CPU cooler is as quiet as possible while yet producing enough air to keep your CPU cool.

Also, have a look at the quietest CPU cooler we’ve tested for your PC.

When it comes to temperatures,

In thermals, the Noctua NH-U14S is a solid performer. Noctua is known for producing high-performance CPU coolers, and this is no exception. Due to its superior aerodynamics and thermal design, it is remarkably capable of cooling CPUs.

Overall, if you have a regular-sized gaming system and want the finest all-around air cooler, the Noctua NH-U14S is the way to go.

Pros

• »Excellent cooling performance
• »almost silence
• »extremely effective
• »will fit in most standard PC cases

Cons

• »Some people dislike the color palette because it is too bright.

Noctua NH-C14S, Noctua NH-C14S, Noctua NH

The Noctua NH-C14S is a high-performance top-flow 140mm CPU cooler.

The NH-C14S has the following features:

• top-flow layout
• to a large extent adaptable
• 1 NF-A14 PWM 140mm fan is included in the package.
• support RAM modules with a height clearance of up to 70mm

Check the current price of the Noctua NH-C14S.

Rather than a conventional top-flow design, the NH-C14S opts for a C-shaped top-flow design. You may place the fan below or above the heatsink, depending on your preference.

The supplied fan is a Noctua NF-A14, which is a 140mm PWM fan. This model’s efficiency is greatly enhanced by the fan.

Aside from that, the design enables for a variety of cooling mechanisms to be used. The orientation and design of the PC casing have a significant impact on performance. However, the CPU cooler works well for the most part.

It also fits into most HTPCs and business desktop PCs because to its distinctive design. Especially because the cooler is just 115mm tall when the fan is installed underneath it. That’s a lower height than the majority of CPU coolers.

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However,

The RAM module clearance increases to a staggering 70mm in height if the fan is mounted at the top, which is much more than you’ll ever need.

Because of the many design options, the air cooler is a little difficult to install, but for the most part, the Noctua NH-C14S works well and offers wide compatibility, which is more essential.

Pros

• »adequate cooling
• »It may be mounted in a variety of ways.
• »operation with little noise
• »Easily fits in most HTPC or business desktop computers

Cons

• »slightly difficult to set up

6. TR4-SP3 Noctua NH-U9

The Noctua NH-U9 TR4-SP3 is an excellent little CPU cooler designed specifically for Threadripper and Epyc processors.

The Noctua NH-U9 TR4-SP3 has the following features:

• AMD’s sTRX4/TR4/SP3 platform is supported.
• 92mm single tower cooler in a small package
• 2 NF-A9 PWM 92mm fans are included in the package.
• NT-H1 thermal compound

Check out the current Noctua NH-U9 price.

The Threadripper and Epyc CPU lines from AMD are among the hottest CPUs on the market, and the air cooler is designed to keep them cool.

The two 92mm NF-A9 PWM fans are enough to keep these CPUs at optimum temperatures thanks to the extremely efficient heat sink design and airflow.

Yes, you read it correctly.

The Noctua NH-U9 TR4-SP3 is a 92mm CPU cooler with a small footprint. As a result, it will fit into the majority of desktop cases. It can even fit into a 4u rack-mount server chassis because to its 125mm height.

Also, have a look at our list of the top cooler master cpu coolers, as suggested by our experts.

The one drawback is that, being a 92mm CPU cooler, it may leave top-of-the-line Threadripper CPUs wishing for additional cooling, particularly if they’re overclocked.

Aside from that, the Noctua NH-U9 TR4-SP3 is the best there is.

Pros

• »Excellent cooling results
• »A fan with a low sound level
• »small enough to fit into the most of cases and 4u chassis

Cons

• »Threadripper CPUs that have been overclocked need something more.

Black Noctua NH-U9S chromax

The chromax of the Noctua NH-U9S. For ITX PCs, Black is a genuine small air CPU cooler.

The Noctua NH-U9S chromax’s top features.Black:

• CPU cooler, single tower, 92mm
• The footprint is 95x95mm.
• Mini-ITX mini-ITX mini-ITX mini-ITX mini-ITX mini-ITX mini-ITX mini-ITX mini-ITX mini-ITX mini-IT
• 1 NF-A9 PWM fan is included in the package.
• Pre-applied NT-H1 thermal compound

Check out the current Noctua NH-U9S chromax.Black price.

When constructing a tiny PC, it’s common to have to compromise thermal performance in order to locate a small CPU cooler. And it makes a difference here.

The air cooler’s footprint is 95x95mm, which is small enough to fit inside most ITX cases. But don’t be fooled by its little stature; it packs a punch when it comes to chilling.

The single tower CPU cooler has shown to be capable of adequately cooling CPUs. It easily outperforms CPU coolers of comparable size.

Here are some amazing budget best cpu cooler for overclocking if you want to overclock your CPU.

Apart from it,

Even when the CPU is fully loaded, the CPU cooler makes very little noise. On mini-ITX cases, it ensures 100 percent compatibility with tall RAM and PCIe slots.

As a result, it’s a small CPU cooler that’s faster, quieter, and compatible with ITX motherboards. In an ITX PC, that’s a great combination for a CPU cooling.

Just don’t expect the Noctua NH-U9S chromax.Black to compete with the larger, more powerful Noctua CPU coolers, and you’ll be OK.

Pros

• »Excellent cooling for the space
• ITX motherboards and enclosures are compatible.
• »operation with little noise

Cons

• »insufficient for CPUs with high TDP or overclocking

8. Black Noctua NH-U12S chromax

The chromax of the Noctua NH-U12S. Black is a fantastic addition to Noctua’s 120mm CPU cooler range.

The Noctua NH-U12S chromax has a few notable features.Black:

• Single-tower air cooler with a diameter of 120mm
• Case, RAM modules, and PCIe compatibility are all great.
• 1x NF-F12 PWM 120mm fan
• Mounting system SecuFirm2

Check out the current Noctua NH-U12S chromax.Black price.

The air cooler is a smaller version of the Noctua NH-U12 air cooler. This compact variant, like the other slim versions mentioned before, aims to offer almost the same cooling but with a smaller footprint.

And it’s a success. The chromax of the Noctua NH-U12S. Black is by far the most popular CPU cooler in the whole Noctua range.

The height is 158mm, which is sufficient for most mATX and ATX systems. Even with two fans, the compact 45mm thickness means it doesn’t overhang the RAM slots and won’t obstruct PCIe slots on most motherboards.

Don’t forget to look at our list of the finest CPU coolers for the LGA 1200 socket.

At medium loads, most CPUs will float around ambient temperature when using this cooler. Even when under heavy demand, the CPUs seldom exceed 50°C. That’s fantastic for a consistent gameplay experience.

An NF-F12 PWM 120mm concentrated flow fan is provided. It is almost quiet at idle, has directed airflow to the heatsink, and uses PWM to regulate RPM automatically.

Overall, the Noctua NH-U12S chromax.Black is a good choice if you want a regular-sized CPU cooler that can moderately cool your CPU.

Pros

• »consistent thermal output
• »quieter than the vast majority of CPU cooling
• »easy to set up
• »regular-sized

Cons

• »incompatible with overclocked CPUs

Black Noctua NH-L9i chromax Noctua NH-L9i chromax Noctua NH-L9i

The chromax of the Noctua NH-L9i. Black is a low-profile CPU cooler designed for ITX and HTPC systems.

The Noctua NH-L9i chromax’s main features.Black:

• CPU cooler with a low profile for Intel LGA 115x sockets
• Height: 37mm
• The footprint is 95x95mm.
• 1 low-profile PWM fan (NF-A9x14) is supplied.
• AM4 bracket on its own

Check out the current Noctua NH-L9i chromax.Black price.

The CPU cooler is just 37mm tall, including the fan, which is crazy. The footprint is 95 mm in diameter.

What exactly does it imply?

Because of its small size, it can fit on any mini-ITX motherboard and will not obstruct the PCIe slot or overhang the RAM modules. Its low height allows it to fit into even the tiniest PC cases with limited room.

Despite its modest profile, it has adequate cooling capacity to offer a steady gaming or working environment free of thermal throttling.

Sure,

It won’t be able to compete with the other large Noctua coolers, but it isn’t intended to be. As a consequence, it won’t be able to avoid thermal throttling on overclocked CPUs.

The chromax of the Noctua NH-L9i. The black mounting bracket is intended specifically for Intel LGA 115x motherboards, although an AM4 mounting bracket is also available for AMD CPUs.

Pros

• »excellent thermal performance
• »ultra-compact
• »suitable for the majority of ITX PCs
• »improved airflow and a whisper-quiet fan
• »easy to set up

Cons

• »Not for the most power-hungry CPUs

Noctua NH-L12S, Noctua NH-L12S, Noctua NH

The Noctua NH-L12S is a good option if you want a low-profile cooler that is both flexible and high-performing.

The Noctua NH-L12S has the following features:

• CPU air cooler with a low profile
• 1x 120mm NF-A12x15 PWM fan
• RAM may have a height clearance of up to 48mm.
• The lowest height is 70mm.
• Multi-socket mounting system SecuFirm2

Check out the current Noctua NH-L12S price.

The Noctua NH-L12S is a follow-up to the NH-L12, offering increased efficiency, flexibility, and compatibility. Let’s talk about them.

This cooler has a great deal of versatility. Unlike other low-profile coolers, which provide little adjustability, this one does. The heatsink is C-shaped, allowing the fan to be mounted either up or down.

You can obtain up to 48mm of RAM clearance if you put the fan at the top, which is a lot for tiny motherboards. The height of the whole module is reduced to only 70mm when the fan is placed at the bottom, making it appropriate for most ITX cases or HTPCs.

The fan in issue is the NF-A12x15, a PWM-compatible quiet and compact 120mm fan. It’s a step up over the NH-92mm L12’s fan, which provides more airflow and efficiency.

Finally, the Noctua NH-versatility L12S’s allows it to work with a wide range of chassis and motherboards, including mini-ITX. Like the other CPU coolers on this list, the SecuFirm2 mounting mechanism and the NT-H1 thermal compound remain.

Pros

• »Excellent efficiency
• »excellent adaptability
• »Excellent thermal control
• »quiet environment

Cons

• »could clash with RGB color schemes

Noctua NH-L9x65 SE-AM4 Noctua NH-L9x65 SE-AM4 Noctua NH-L

The Noctua NH-L9x65 SE-AM4 is another low-profile Noctua product developed specifically for the AM4 platform.

The following are some of the features of the Noctua NH-L9x65 SE-AM4:

• AMD AM4 socket CPU cooler with a low profile
• 1 NF-A9x14 PWM 92mm fan (NF-A9x14) is included.
• 65mm in height
• The footprint is 95x95mm.
• Thermal compound NT-H1 was used.

Check out the current Noctua NH-L9x65 price.

The cooler has a low profile and has a lot in common with the NH-L9i chromax cooler. As previously stated, Black is a color. The color palette is the most apparent change, since it adheres to the classic Noctua brown and beige color pattern.

The footprint remains same at 95x95mm, but the height rises to 65mm. The heatsink of the Noctua NH-L9x65 SE-AM4 is thicker than the previous model, giving it greater surface area and therefore increasing efficiency.

Another significant distinction is the platform. The NH-L9i is optimized for Intel LGA 115x sockets, while the Noctua NH-L9x65 SE-AM4 is optimized for AMD AM4 processors. As a result, AM4 motherboards, especially ITX motherboards, will have improved compatibility and clearance out of the box.

A 92mm NF-A9x14 PWM fan is provided, and it provides enough ventilation. The SecuFirm2 mounting method and pre-applied thermal compound are also included.

If you don’t use it in an overclocked CPU or one with a TDP more than 95W, you’ll obtain the greatest air cooling performance from this tiny low-profile cooler.

Pros

• »cost-effective cooling
• »extremely compact
• On ITX motherboards, there is adequate RAM, cooling, and PCIe clearance.
• »quiet working environment

Cons

• »Not for CPUs with a TDP of more than 95W

Last Thoughts

That’s all there is to it. From Noctua, these are the finest CPU coolers on the market. Which one catches your eye?

The Noctua NH-D15S chromax is one of my favorites. For its better cooling, silent operation, and ability to support overclocked CPUs while fitting into most standard PC cases, Black is the best choice. The NH-L9i appeals to me because of its ultra-compact, low-profile design and increased efficiency.

Noctua has an extensive portfolio of cooler designs, ranging from the budget-minded NH-U series to the premium NH-D series and NH-L series, but the NH-L9i is the most popular member of the family due to its low price and ease of installation. The NH-L9i is undoubtedly a good CPU cooler, but it’s also a good cooler for its price. We think it’s a great choice for anyone looking to keep their budget under $50 and their coolers under $50.. Read more about best cpu cooler 2021 and let us know what you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Noctua CPU cooler?

The best Noctua CPU cooler is the NH-D15.

What is the best CPU cooler 2021?

The best CPU cooler for 2021 is the Noctua NH-D15S.

Which air cooler is best for CPU?

The best air cooler for a CPU is the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO.