Tuesday, April 5th 2022

Noctua Presents NH-D12L Low-height 120mm Dual Tower CPU Cooler

Noctua today presented the all-new NH-D12L low-height dual tower CPU cooler and the corresponding NF-A12x25r round-frame 120 mm fan. At a height of only 145 mm (13 mm lower than Noctua's regular 120 mm models), it fits many 4U enclosures as well as narrower tower cases that have been previously limited to solutions with 92 mm fans. At the same time, its five heatpipe dual-tower design and state-of-the-art NF-A12x25r 120 mm fan allow it to achieve a level of efficiency that surpasses many full-height 120 mm models.

"So far, all our 120 mm class coolers were 158 mm high, but as of recent, more and more PC cases only support up to 150 or even 145 mm - this is where the NH-D12L steps in", explains Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO). "Simply lowering one of our existing models wasn't an option because a standard square 120 mm fan would cause lots of issues with motherboard heatsinks or shrouds. That's why we came up with this novel dual tower design and a round-frame version of the NF-A12x25 fan that can be installed at a very low position between the two towers - a winning combination that provides impressive results for this height class."
While Noctua's regular 120 mm CPU coolers stand 158 mm tall, the NH-D12L measures only 145 mm. This allows it to fit not only a wide range of 4U rackmount server cases and many tower-style enclosures that are not wide enough for 158 mm units, but also some larger Small Form Factor (SFF) and Mini-ITX chassis. Despite its reduced height, the NH-D12L easily outperforms 92 mm coolers. It can even surpass renowned 120 mm units such as the NH-U12S and often comes close to Noctua's award-winning 120 mm flagship model NH-U12A.

Due to its asymmetric design, the NH-D12L does not overhang the RAM slots on Intel LGA1700/LGA1200/LGA115x and AMD AM4/AM5 based motherboards, which ensures easy access to the modules and 100% compatibility with DIMMs that feature tall heat-spreaders or RGB lighting.

Introduced in 2018, Noctua's NF-A12x25 is widely considered to be the best 120x25mm fan on the market. The round-frame variant used on the NH-D12L provides the same renowned quiet cooling performance yet makes it possible to reduce overall cooler height without risking compatibility issues with tall motherboard heatsinks or shrouds. The NH-D12L also ships with an extra pair of fan clips that can be used to install a second of these NF-A12x25r PWM fans either on the front or on the rear fin stack. However, it must be noted that the second fan will usually sit on top of either the RAM or I/O panel and thereby increase the total height beyond 145 mm.

Topped off with Noctua's award-winning NT-H1 thermal compound, a 6-year manufacturer's warranty and the renowned SecuFirm2 multi-socket mounting system that already supports Intel's latest LGA1700 socket as well as AMD's upcoming AM5 platform, the NH-D12L is the perfect choice for applications that require serious cooling performance but cannot fit the larger NH-U12A.


Suggested retail prices: The manufacturer's suggested retail prices are as follows:
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53 Comments on Noctua Presents NH-D12L Low-height 120mm Dual Tower CPU Cooler

#51
Valantar
ARFBut those different numbers are at least something. Better than nothing. Because there are small coolers good for up to 45 watts, and large coolers like this that a good for at least 125 watts. At least, the users will have a rough estimation and idea about what to expect.
Sure, they can be used as very broad, ballpark indications for the overall capabilities of a cooler - but so can size, shape, number of fans, etc. Neither are reliable or accurate. That's why we need reviews.
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#52
Cutechri
AnarchoPrimitivI understand that they probably never will, and I understand that numerous snobs would loath the idea, but Noctua, just based purely on the goal of profit, should make an RGB fan series....it would sell extremely well....Noctua legendary performance AND RGB....it would definitely take sales away from other ridiculously priced RGB fans like those from Corsair. I understand that RGB, or aesthetics in general, are not Noctua's thing, but it would seem like a guaranteed and substantial increase in sales and profits for the company.
No thanks. Be Quiet's Light Wings are a disgrace, Noctua shouldn't go the same path. Call me a "snob", I'm not into having miniature Las Vegas on my desk.
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#53
ARF
ValantarSure, they can be used as very broad, ballpark indications for the overall capabilities of a cooler - but so can size, shape, number of fans, etc. Neither are reliable or accurate. That's why we need reviews.
Yes, the reviews if independent and fair are a good indication for performance. The best is if the reviewer uses all types of CPUs and all types of overclock to measure the cooler capabilities.
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