- Joined
- Jun 24, 2015
- Messages
- 8,192 (2.35/day)
- Location
- Western Canada
System Name | ab┃ob |
---|---|
Processor | 7800X3D┃5800X3D |
Motherboard | B650E PG-ITX┃X570 Impact |
Cooling | NH-U12A + T30┃AXP120-x67 |
Memory | 64GB 6400CL32┃32GB 3600CL14 |
Video Card(s) | RTX 4070 Ti Eagle┃RTX A2000 |
Storage | 8TB of SSDs┃1TB SN550 |
Case | Caselabs S3┃Lazer3D HT5 |
Well, THG did review the PA120 SE, and they were pretty happy with it.
On my part, I just wanna try out a cheaper but good air cooler after years of being in the 360mm AIO fold.
Hard not to be happy with the PA120's price
I always have the worst timing.
I pulled the trigger too early on the SS135, overpaid, and scratched my CPU.
I pulled the trigger too early on the PA120, overpaid, got the leaning Tower of Pisa, and now Prime from TR distributor for cheaper than $USD MSRP.
I've tested both the pa120 and se vs the u12a chromax. The u12a isn't as loud at all fan ranges (dual a12s)but the pa is better at cooling (both versions),in my backup rig, by 5-7c consistently. I far prefer the u12a mounting mechanism over the pa 120/se. It's just better. The pa 120/se is fidgety af to line up compared to the securefirms dead on everytime ease. So no destruction going on.
Nevertheless, You won't be disappointed in the u12a chromax, it looks sweet and performs very well on everything I've used it with. Price to performance the pa 120/se does crush it but what hsf can compete with it at less than $40?
Picked up a white cover for it too, cause why not. Always feel comfortable with Noctua. Over the years they sent me free mounting kits, free fan clips, and did that across-the-pond triple cooler exchange for me all free of charge with 2 day UPS Saver shipping. Secufirm is a trooper, given the hundreds of times I've remounted the C14S.
I think for sure I can see the PA120 pulling ahead on Intel. Heatsink mass is similar, but west-east heatpipe orientation (PA120) works perfectly for Intel dies and north-south is horrible (U12A). On Ryzen both are about equally bad LOL