[Test] Noctua NH-U9B SE2 – Conseil Config : Specs | CPU | Hashrate | Review | Config

Hi all !

We continue the tests of Noctua coolers with the “small” NH-U9B SE2, released in 2008 and equipped with 2 92mm fans. We are going to see if it is still able to stand up to the more recent (but also larger) coolers.

The box is sober as usual with Noctua but remains however more colorful than the new design of the brand, the main characteristics of the cooler are present.

The protections are more than sufficient and there is very little risk of seeing the cooler damaged during transport.

The accessories are:

• 1 manuel
• 1 tube of thermal paste NT-H1
• 1 Phillips screwdriver
• 1 fixing kit for AMD socket
• 1 fixing kit for Intel socket
• 4 anti-vibration bands for the 2 fans
• 4 metal clips for the fans
• 2 ULNA adapters
• 2 LNA adapters
• 1 Y adapter 3 pin -> 2 x 3 pin
• 1 Noctua metal sticker

The bundle is very complete, as always with noctua you will not miss anything!

The radiator

The size of the NH-U9B SE2 is very reduced in height but it is very deep, it would be perfect for a desktop type case with a low height.

Fans

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 hand screws.

Then we put a little thermal paste, be careful not to put too much on pain of lower temperatures.

You must then take these fixing plates and screw them on the cooler like this:

Once the 2 legs are fixed, all you have to do is install the cooler and screw!

And There you go! The Noctua NH-U9B is in place, all you need to do is place the 2 fans and you’re done!

The test platform

The NH-U9B SE2 has 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 cooler has been tested against Noctua NH-U12s, NH-U14S, NH-D14, NH-L12 and Thermalright HR01 (equipped with a Nexus real silent 120 fan)

The temperatures

The NH-U9B SE2 has equivalent performance to the NH-L12, it is capable of cooling a core i7 very well in 12v as well as in 5v (if you are not too careful about the temperatures).
We must not lose sight of the fact that the cooler is much less imposing than most of its competitors so these temperature differences are normal, there are no miracles!

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.

When the fans are in 5v the Noctua NH-U9B SE2 is simply inaudible, but like its brother the NH-L12 temperatures suffer more than the other coolers in this comparison due to their sizes and therefore to a smaller cooling surface. . In 12v the noise pollution remains very contained, even if we prefer to find a happy medium in the context of a silent PC.

Here we are at the end of this test, what to say about this Noctua NH-U9B SE2? It is not easy to judge this type of cooler well, because of its size I would base my judgment on its use in a suitable environment, ie in an HTPC or “desktop” box. If you are looking for a cooler for a Gaming PC installed in a classic tower, you might as well go directly to an NH-U12S or better yet an NH-U14S, even if the NH-U9B SE2 can cool your processor very well!
On the other hand, if you plan to mount an HTPC or if the height in your tower is reduced, you can definitely turn to the NH-U9B SE2 which will cool your processor while remaining very discreet.

The +

• Excellent performance for its size
• Bundle complet
• Contained noise pollution
• It exudes quality
• 6 year warranty
• Noctua after-sales service during the evolution of sockets

The –

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

Where can I find the Noctua NH-U9B SE2?

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