Verdict and Conclusion
So after all of that, I’ll admit: it’s pretty good. Now if you’re wondering where the similarities end, the obvious answer is the dimensions of the cooler. The U12S is smaller which means, unlike the U14S, you’ll have all memory slots available as well as extra room for the top-most PCI-e slot.
At an average retail of $70.00 USD, that’s a measly $5.00 less than the model that gets slightly better temps and a few more accessories.
It’s worth mentioning that because it is in fact able to keep up adds some points in its favor. At the same time, however, it’s not much of a revelation with only a 2-3oC difference in temps. The U12S is essentially meant to give comparable levels of performance in a smaller package.
Hopefully this wasn’t too much of a repeat. Like I said, there’s not a whole lot extra to say that hasn’t been already, so let’s just get down to the brass tax and move on to the next part.
Pros:
- Works with all Intel and AMD sockets.
- Average to above-average cooling quality.
- Same installation kit as U14S (very good quality).
- Leaves more room available.
- Quiet.
Cons:
- Pricey (Only $5.00 less than previous model)
- Two less heatpipes
Final Words.
So yeah, that about sums up the U12S. Now comes the titular question of whether or not I’d recommend it. Well, I can’t exactly not recommend it based on the list of cons; however, I’m not sure if I’m totally on board with it. It is the better option for those of you with smaller cases and motherboards, but if you’re caseless or use a full-tower you won’t have any problems at all. I guess the old adage of “size doesn’t matter” doesn’t seem to apply here, but that’s nothing new to PC builders. So, if you want the punch of a U14S but not the mass of one, the U12S will keep you satisfied and busy for your next benching session.
SCORE
8.4/10
