Noctua don’t often release many new products, but when they do, they’re always release something special. Today, we will present two of the latest CPU coolers in the coming days. We will start with the NH-L12Sx77, designed for SFF PCs, where everything has to be perfectly calculated for optimal results.
The cooler will be tested on a lower TDP, Ryzen 5 7600 CPU, and the ASUS B650E-I Gaming motherboard. This is what perfectly fits tight ITX cases and doesn’t cause overheating.
Let’s begin with the specifications and features of the new Noctua coolers.
Performance-enhanced low-profile cooling
With 6 instead of 4 heatpipes, the NH-L12Sx77 offers significantly more headroom for higher heat-loads compared to the original NH-L12S. As such, it is ideal for getting the most out of today’s high-end CPUs in compact cases where their aggressive turbo boost modes are especially challenging to handle.
Better performance, better compatibility
The NH-L12Sx77 not only improves performance but also motherboard and RAM compatibility versus the original NH-L12S: Due to the x77 version’s taller construction, clearance for RAM modules as well as motherboard heatsinks and shrouds could be increased significantly, which makes the cooler an easy fit in most configurations.
44mm RAM clearance
In its standard orientation with the bends of the heatpipes facing the I/O panel of the motherboard, the NH-L12Sx77 supports RAM modules of 44mm height, making it fully compatible with a wide range of high-end modules (see the Noctua Compatibility Centre).
Exhaust airflow direction
The NH-L12Sx77 has its fan pre-installed underneath the fin stack blowing upwards, which is ideal in compact cases that typically have a perforated panel right above the cooler as hot air can be exhausted directly instead of accumulating inside the case. At the same time, this setup avoids noises from influx turbulences that occur when fans are drawing in air through perforated panels.
Ideal for Fractal Design Terra, SilverStone Milo ML12, Louqe Raw S1 and other cases
At a height of 77mm (7mm taller than the original NH-L12S’ 70mm), the NH-L12Sx77 is a perfect fit for Fractal Design’s Terra (with the maximum space setting for the CPU cooler) or Louqe’s unique, award-winning Raw S1 chassis as well as many other cases that cannot fit the larger NH-C14S (115mm in low-profile mode) or NH-D9L (110mm).
High clearance mode
Run with the NF-A12x15 fan installed on top, the NH-L12Sx77 provides extended clearance underneath the fin stack. This way, it is fully compatible with chipset coolers and RAM modules with up to 56mm in height (compared to 44mm in the default configuration with the fan installed underneath the fin stack).
NF-A12x15 slim 120mm premium fan
Featuring sophisticated aerodynamic optimisations such as Flow Acceleration Channels, the NF-A12x15 is a premium-grade slim 120mm fan. Its outstanding efficiency enables the NH-L12Sx77 to combine excellent cooling performance with superb quietness of operation.
PWM support and Low-Noise Adaptor
The NF-A12x15 120mm fan supplied with the NH-L12Sx77 supports PWM for convenient automatic speed control through the motherboard: full performance under load, virtually silent at idle. In addition, the maximum fan speed can be reduced from 1850 to 1400rpm using the supplied Low-Noise Adaptor for even quieter operation.
120x25mm fan support
The fan clips supplied with the NH-L12Sx77 work not only with the slim NF-A12x15 fan but also with 25mm thick 120mm fans. Users who have extra room inside their cases can thus boost the cooler’s performance by using a standard 120x25mm fan on top (increases total height to 102mm).
SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting system
Noctua’s SecuFirm2™ mounting systems have become synonymous with quality, safety and easy installation. Supporting Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA115x (LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156) as well as AMD AM5 and AM4, the SecuFirm2™ mounting included with the NH-L12Sx77 is straightforward to install, provides perfect contact pressure and will stand the test of time even under heavy use.
Offset mounting option for AMD AM5
The NH-L12Sx77 includes Noctua’s offset mounting bars for AM5 that make it possible to install the cooler shifted towards the south side of the socket by 7mm, thereby achieving better contact quality right above the Core Complex Die(s), CCD(s). This can help to reduce CPU temperatures by 1-3°C.
Compatibility with past and future sockets
Thanks to Noctua’s SecuFirm™ ecosystem, the NH-L12Sx77 can be made compatible with the older LGA20xx (LGA2011-0, LGA2011-3, LGA2066), LGA1366 and LGA775 sockets using the optional NM-I3 and NM-i20xx mounting kit, which is provided free of charge. If technically possible, Noctua will also provide upgrade kits for future sockets, which makes the NH-L12Sx77 a safe long-term investment.
NT-H2 next-gen thermal compound
Soldered interface between heatpipes and fins
With many heatsinks, the fins are press-fitted to the heatpipes. Due to the different thermal expansion coefficients of copper and aluminium, this fit can loosen over years of thermal cycling, which may lead to reduced performance. By contrast, the NH-L12Sx77’s fins are soldered to the heatpipes in order to guarantee a superior thermal interface that doesn’t deteriorate even after many years of usage.
6-year manufacturer’s warranty
Noctua products are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity. True to this legacy, the NH-L12Sx77 heatsink is built to last, and like all Noctua fans, the supplied NF-A12x15 features an MTTF rating of more than 150,000 hours. The entire package comes with a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty.
You can buy the Noctua NH-L12Sx77 CPU cooler for around $74.90 from Amazon online store – https://tinyurl.com/yfehf459
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2 comments
That noctua leaving allot space in that terra for a graphic card?
2.5-slot cards will fit. ASUS RTX4070 Super Dual EVO had enough space.