Noctua NH-L9i-17XX and NH-L9i-17XX chromax.black CPU Coolers Review, including NA-FD1 Duct Kit

Noctua NA-FD1 Specifications and Features

Significant performance boost

In tightly packed, ITX-based Small Form Factor builds, hot air can accumulate around the socket area. By enabling the NH-L9 cooler to draw in fresh air from the outside instead of hot interior air, adding the NA-FD1 can lead to huge performance gains of up to 5°C and more.

 

Compatible with NH-L9i and NH-L9a models

The NA-FD1 is fully compatible with all variations of the NH-L9i (NH-L9i, NH-L9i chromax.black, NH-L9i-17xx, NH-L9i-17xx chromax.black) and NH-L9a (NH-L9a, NH-L9a-AM4, NH-L9a-AM4 chromax.black) series. It is not compatible with the NH-L9x65, NH-L9x65 SE-AM4 or other coolers.

 

Reduced intake noise compared to taller coolers

When fans draw in air through perforated panels that are very close to their intake, high-pitched turbulence noises can occur. With the NA-FD1, the NH-L9’s fan has at least 5mm (and up to 45mm) of breathing space, which yields a smoother sound signature compared to taller coolers that may struggle with intake noise issues due to low clearance.

 

Ideal for cases with 42-82mm clearance

Consisting of 7 foam spacers from 10 to 3mm thickness, the NA-FD1 can be adjusted from 5mm to 45mm in 1mm increments. As such, it is ideal for bridging the gap between the 37mm high NH-L9 coolers and perforated side or top panes of cases that offer between 42 and 82mm clearance such as the popular Dan A4-SFX (48mm) or the Louqe Ghost S1 (66mm).

 

Adjustable and reusable

The NA-FD1 set consists of 7 Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam spacers with different thicknesses (2x 10, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3mm) that can be stacked to bridge gaps of different sizes. If you decide to switch to a different case or configuration that has more or less clearance, you can simply adjust the duct by adding or removing spacers.

 

Easy installation

Installing the NA-FD1 is a breeze: Simply measure the gap between the cooler and the panel, select the corresponding foam spacers, replace the original fan screws with the supplied bolts, stick the plastic tubes to the bolts, add the foam spacers, cut the tubes to the appropriate length and you’re ready to go!

Installation Guide

NA-FD1 performance: what to expect?

The NA-FD1 fan duct kit makes it possible to significantly improve the performance of Noctua NH-L9i and NH-L9a series CPU coolers in Small Form Factor (SFF) environments where there is a gap of 5mm or more (up to 45mm) between the cooler and a perforated top or side panel. Bridging this gap, the duct prevents the cooler from taking in hot air from the interior and enables it to draw in fresh from the outside through the perforated panel.

In tightly packed, ITX-based Small Form Factor builds, hot air can accumulate around the socket area, so drawing in fresh air from the exterior can make a massive difference in CPU temperatures. In tests with various configurations, typical improvements in CPU temperature of 4-6°C have been measured:

Closer Look

The NA-FD1 air duct kit contains six foam spacers, plastic tubes that hold the spacers and make installation easier, and bolts that are replacing fan screws. The included manual explains everything in an easy way. It’s really hard to make it wrong.

On the next page, we will share our test results.