[Test] Noctua NH-U12P SE2 & NH-C12 SE14 : Specs | CPU | Hashrate | Review | Config

Hi all !

Still 2 Noctua coolers today, the NH-U12P SE2 and the NH-C12 SE14! These models are quite old but the NH-U12P has been a benchmark for years (and rightly so) both in terms of performance and quietness, how does it fare against the rest of the world? range these days? This is what we will see!

Presentation

As usual a sober box giving the main characteristics, we do in the sober here and that’s good!

A box for the bundle, a box for the cooler, everything is well protected there is no problem!

Here it is in its box, free the beast and see what it has in store for us!

The NH-C12 is a “Top flow” type cooler and like its big brother the NH-C14 there are 2 spaces to screw it to the motherboard.

The particularity of this cooler is that the base is connected directly to the top of the cooler thanks to fins, which increases the dissipation surface and this can only be good for performance!

The ventilation is entrusted to an NF-P14 of the brand, a 140mm model rotating at a speed of 1200RPM at the maximum.

The bundle consists of:

• 1 fixing kit for AMD processor
• 1 fixing kit for Intel processor
• 1 Phillips screwdriver
• 1 adaptateur Low Noise (900 RPM)
• 1 Ultra Low Noise adapter (750RPM)
• 1 tube of thermal paste NT-H1
• 1 Noctua metal sticker
• 4 anti-vibration pads for the supplied fan
• 1 manuel

As usual the bundle consists of everything needed for assembly, as well as adapters to adjust the fan speed.

Radiator Specifications

The characteristics show that the NH-C12P has everything it takes to be used in a narrow case (desktop or HTPC type), its height is very contained (11.4 cm, barely a few millimeters more than a card graphics), the cooler does not interfere with the use of the first PCI-e port next to the socket and the components around the cooler are cooled thanks to the “Top Flow” orientation of the cooler.

Fan characteristics

A great classic from Noctua the NF-P14 is no longer really to present, it runs at a maximum speed of 1200RPM (900 and 750 thanks to the different adapters) and does not suffer from any parasitic noise which makes it a very pleasing to the ear while maintaining good performance. The only small regret I could have is the lack of update to a PWM model, it’s a shame!

Memory compatibility

Will the NH-C12P SE14 be compatible with my memory? The big question and one of the decisive criteria when choosing a cooler! Rather than looking at the different compatibility lists, a photo will be much more telling:

The height of the memory used is 3cm, there is approximately 1.5cm between the strips and the cooler, so we can deduce that memory with a maximum height of 4.4 – 4.5 cm can be used.

Presentation

A little more colorful than the box of the NH-C12, it remains sober with the main characteristics marked on the front face.

Everything is well protected, very little risk of having a damaged product on delivery.

And here is our NH-U12P in its protection, let’s take a closer look!

The NH-U12P is in tower format, the design shows the years and is therefore very “classic”.

The ventilation is entrusted to two NF-P12s (tested here.) And will therefore be efficient and silent, as long as the fans do not turn to maximum!

The bundle consists of:

• 1 fixing kit for AMD processor
• 1 fixing kit for Intel processor
• 1 Phillips screwdriver
• 2 adaptateurs Low Noise (1100 RPM)
• 2 adaptateurs Ultra Low Noise (900RPM)
• 1 x 2 x 3-pin to 1 x 3-pin Y adapter
• 1 tube of thermal paste NT-H1
• 1 Noctua metal sticker
• 4 anti-vibration pads for the fans
• 1 manuel

Not to change the bundle of the NH-U12P SE14 is very complete and you will have everything you need to mount the cooler, as well as adapters to lower the speed of the fans for the good of your ears!

Radiator Specifications

The dimensions of the cooler are contained for a push-pull solution, the height should not be a problem in the vast majority of cases. The cooler is however not light with its 940g but nothing very strange with 2 fans.

Fan characteristics

The NF-P12 is a well known fan at Noctua and is recognized for its silence and performance, the dimensions are standard for a 120mm fan. This is not the PWM model (test here.) But a 3-pin model unfortunately but the performance is similar.

Memory compatibility

As you can see there is not a lot of space between the memory and the fan, however you still have the option to mount the fan higher on the cooler and therefore allow you to install memory with a more imposing radiator. Note that only the first memory location is affected (on the motherboard used for this test in any case).

The 2 coolers having the same fixing system I will spare you the duplicate, only certain parts are different and will be explained at the end!

First of all, if you install it on a socket 1150/1155/1156/1366 you have to remove the black overlay on the back plate:

Put it under the motherboard and put the screws there:

On the other hand, you have to pay attention to the location where you put the screws, each socket having different dimensions so you must not be mistaken, for example there are 3 ABC locations which correspond to 3 dimensions:

A : Socket 1366

B : Socket 1150 / 1155 / 1156

C: Socket 775

We place the black plastic spacers on the 4 screws.

You must then put the 2 metal plates, be careful to respect the same location for the screws as the black plate under the card (A, B or C).

Secure the plates using the 4 thumbscrews.

NH-C12 SE14

The only thing you have to do besides is to screw it like below, to fix the fan on it and there you are with your cooler ready to use!

NH-U12P SE2

The NH-U12P requires the addition of the 2 plates already pre-installed on the NH-C12, you must first return the cooler.

Then screw the 2 legs like this:

And finally you have to screw it as below, fix the 2 fans and let’s go!

The test platform

The NH-C12 SE14 and NH-U12P SE2 have been tested on the configuration below:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 875K @ 3,2 Ghz
• Motherboard: Asus P7P55D
• Memory: Kingston HyperX 4 x 2 Go 1600Mhz
• Hard disk: WD Raptor 150 Go
• Graphic card: Sapphire Toxic 5850
• Food: Seasonic X650

The test protocol

The core i7 875K has been slightly overclocked to 3.2Ghz. The temperatures under load are an average of all the cores for 3 tests of 30 minutes on OCCT, the temperatures at rest were taken after 15mins on the desk (still an average of the 4 cores).

The coolers have been tested against Noctua NH-U12s, NH-C14, be quiet! Dark Rock 3 and Thermalright HR01 (equipped with a Nexus real silent 120 fan)

The temperatures

The NH-C12 being the little brother of the NH-C14 the performance is therefore below but it remains quite able to cool the core i7 while being more compact, it will however be necessary to pay attention to the temperatures in 5v in a box which does not does not have good airflow.

As for the NH-U12P compared to the cooler which comes closest to it in the range, the NH-U12S, it is not in a position to worry it. Accusing the weight of years (first version in 2007 anyway!) It unfortunately does not manage to keep up with the pace but it remains however able to hold the core i7 without worries and all the owners of this cooler bought years ago will be able to keep using it!

Noise pollution

Attention : Part to be taken with a grain of salt, unfortunately not having access to the appropriate equipment and using an android application to take the readings the measurements below are only indicative! The readings were taken 15cm from the cooler.

No surprises here considering the fans used the NH-C12P SE14 and NH-U12P SE2 behave very well and will remain quiet as long as you don’t push the fans all the way! Note that the fans do not suffer from any parasitic noise which makes them pleasant to the ear.

NH-C12 SE14

Does the NH-C14’s little brother hold up when it comes to cooling a Core i7? I would tell you yes! It is necessary to take into account the use of this cooler, which is rather supposed to be used in an HTPC box and which therefore has reduced dimensions compared to the tower type coolers. In this environment, it will fulfill its role perfectly and will even allow the components around the socket to be cooled.

The +

• Dimensions contained (for HTPC use)
• Silent operation
• Good performance
• 6 year Noctua warranty

The –

NH-U12P SE2

The case is more difficult for this cooler, in fact given the age of the beast the performance is not really up to par, for example an NH-U12S will be a better choice if you are looking for a recent cooler. On the other hand if you are in possession of an NH-U12P it will always be quite capable of cooling your processor and this, in a very appreciable silence. For these reasons, I would not rate the NH-U12P because it is at the end of its life and is no longer recommended against its replacement, the NH-U12S.

The +

• Good performance for its age
• Silence
• 6-year warranty and Noctua after-sales service

The –

• Prefer the NH-U12S

A big thank you to Jakob from Noctua who allowed me to do this test.

Where to find the Noctua NH-C12P & NH-U12P SE2?

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