Noctua NH-U12P SE2 CPU Cooler and NF-P14 FLX 140mm Fan

Conclusion

When it comes to cooling your overclocked hot Core i7 or Core i5 efficiently and quietly, Noctua is the company to turn to.  Just as we saw the Hyper 212 Plus quietly eclipse the stock cooler, the Noctua NH-U12P SE2 silently passes the budget cooler in every way.  The only comparison that comes to mind is between Mercedes and Toyota.  Toyota is a fine and well-built automobile but not in the same class as the more expensive German prestige automobile.  The adage, “you get what you pay for” also comes to mind.  If you have a Core i7 or i5 that you really want to push to its maximum overclock by safely using air-cooling, Noctua may be for you.  And if you want a near-silent overclock, then you need look no further than the Noctua NH-U12P SE 2.  It comes highly recommended by this reviewer!

Noctua’s 140mm NF-P14 FLX fan is unique in that it fits where only formerly 120mm fans could fit before.  For your money, you get a super fan that will fit into almost any home theater PC and delight the audiophile with its ability to use either of its adapters to slow the RPMs into inaudibility while still maintaining good air flow.

Noctua NH-U12P SE 2 CPU cooler

Pros:

• Noctua NH-U12P SE 2 is relatively inexpensive and a great *quiet* cooling solution for overclocking Core i7 or i5.
• Two adjustable and quiet vortex-control 120mm fans provide superb silent cooling with two additional incremental step downs in speed, lowering noise (and cooling ability).
• Everything is included for installation with the NH-U12P SE 2 including thermal compound and a screwdriver.

Cons:

• None

Noctua 140mm NF-P14 FLX fan

Pros:

• Noctua 140mm NF-P14 FLX fan is a great *quiet* cooling solution for a case or CPU cooling fan.
• A single quiet vortex-control 140mm fan provide superb silent cooling with two additional adapters providing incremental step downs in speed, lowering noise (and cooling ability).
• Everything is included for installation – just have a Philips screwdriver handy.
• This 140mm fan is designed to replace 120mm fans by its unique round design and supplied adapters.

Cons:

• Static pressure is slightly reduced (as is noise) by the vortex control notches.

There you have it.  Noctua’s NH-U12P SE 2 CPU cooler is an excellent all-in-one quiet cooler for a inexpensive price considering its extraordinary build and all inclusive package.  It is well-deserving of our “Editor’s Choice” award.  Recommended. We are so happy with it that we are also awarding it the “Great Value” award also.

Noctua’s 140mm NF-P14 FLX fan is a silent 140mm fan that fits where only 120mm fans could fit before.  It is well deserving of our Editor’s Choice award.  Recommended especially for home theater PCs.

Our next article will be part two of our “value meets performance” series with an expanded continuation of Phenom II versus Penryn versus Core i7.  This coming part two is much expanded over part one as we will be testing Phenom II’s 550 X2, 720 X3 and 955 X4 against Q9550S and Core i7 920 with HD 4870-X2 and HD 4870-X3 TriFire.  We ran well over 5,000 individual benchmark runs over the course of a month to bring it to you and it will be published next weekend.

Happy New Year!

Mark Poppin

ABT Senior Editor

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