Noctua NH-P1 CPU cooler tested – passively cooled or massively underestimated?

The first prototype was presented at Computex 2019, and retail has now become a reality. Noctua recently introduced their new cooler, which we’re going to take a look at today with and without a fan. The following article tells you how it does in each case:

Packaging and scope of delivery

Gigantic external dimensions indicate the size of the heat sink itself. The areas are at least used sensibly for various multilingual descriptions, a long list of the most important features and various specifications.

Inside everything was neatly packed and stacked on top of each other. Cardboard folded several times protects the cooler during transport and the accessories are also given their own small box. At the very bottom, a piece of foam cushions potential shocks.

As is typical for Noctua, the accessories are quite extensive, in addition to separate instructions for each base and the necessary mounting material, a high-quality Torx screwdriver is also included.

The CPU surface can be cleaned again with the alcohol cleaning cloth before the in-house NT-H2 thermal paste is used.

Assembly and installation

As is so often the case with the AM4 socket, the existing backplate from the mainboard is reused. The only effective replacement is the two plastic brackets with spacers that hold a metal bracket in place with a total of four screws.

You simply place the cooler on this and, thanks to the long screwdriver, mount it through the fins with two additional spring-loaded screws. It is somewhat more extensive and also described again for other sockets in the attached instructions:

noctua_nh_p1_manual_en_web_2

For installation, it is best to place the mainboard on a flat surface or the system on its side, otherwise it could get a bit fiddly.

Specifications

The following is an overview of the technical details, as always, more information is available on the manufacturer’s product page.