Noctua Presents Redux line CPU Cooler and Second Fan Kit

[btarunr]

Noctua today presented the NH-U12S redux, the first CPU cooler within its redux line of products. True to the spirit of the redux line, the NH-U12S redux takes the proven concept of the original, award-winning NH-U12S and reduces it to its essential core: a quiet, quality-made 120 mm cooler with streamlined accessories that is highly compatible, easy to install and accessibly priced. With the NA-FK1 second fan kit, the NH-U12S redux can be upgraded to a push/pull dual-fan configuration for further improved performance.

"Our redux line fans have earned an excellent reputation for providing trusted Noctua quality without breaking the bank", says Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO). "Today, we're proud to present our first redux line CPU cooler, which does exactly the same thing. We're confident that the NH-U12S redux will be a perfect choice for anybody who has always wanted a Noctua heatsink but couldn't quite justify the investment."



The NH-U12S redux is a streamlined, accessibly priced version of the iconic NH-U12S that has established itself as a benchmark for slim, highly compatible 120 mm CPU coolers. The redux version uses the same proven heatsink layout that guarantees 100% compatibility with tall RAM modules as well as excellent case and PCIe compatibility. Thanks to the popular NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM fan that supports automatic speed control through the motherboard, it provides high performance under load and runs whisper-quiet at idle. At the same time, Noctua's renowned, professional SecuFirm2 mounting system and the pre-applied NT-H1 thermal compound make installation a breeze. Backed up with Noctua's trusted 6-year manufacturer's warranty, the NH-U12S redux is a smart, affordable choice for a quiet, high-quality 120 mm cooler.

Just like with Noctua's more expensive coolers, future mounting upgrade kits for the NH-U12S redux will be provided free of charge if technically possible, making it a safe long-term investment.

Users who would like to further improve the cooling efficiency of the NH-U12S redux can do so with the newly introduced, optional NA-FK1 kit that contains a second NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM fan, fan clips, anti-vibration pads, a y-cable and Low-Noise Adaptors. By upgrading the cooler to a push/pull-style dual-fan setup, the NA-FK1 makes it possible to achieve even better performance or to reduce noise levels by having two fans running at lower speeds.

Suggested retail prices
The manufacturer's suggested retail prices are EUR/USD 49.90 for the NH-U12S redux and EUR/USD 16.90 for the NA-FK1.

Availability
Both the CPU cooler and the second fan kit are available as of today via Noctua's official Amazon stores.

For more information,visit the product pages of the NH-U12S redux and NA-FK1.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[dyonoctis]

49€90 ? I hope that it perform as well as the classic NH-U12s

 

[Chrispy_]

I can't actually see what's missing. The heatsink looks incredibly similar to the current NH-U12S and you still get the free mounting upgrades and warranty.

As far as I can tell, this is a €10 discount and you get a better colour fan at the same time.

 

[LTUGamer]

Well, I expected that this will cost as other Hyper 212 sized coolers - around 30 - 40 eur. At least it fits better for systems interior

 

[bonehead123]

I like it ...

But I'm not a big fan of tower coolers in general, so there's that. And at least they are finally producing fans in a color other than that GAWD-awful baby-shit brown, hehehe

 

[Nater]

 

[dyonoctis]

I can't actually see what's missing. The heatsink looks incredibly similar to the current NH-U12S and you still get the free mounting upgrades and warranty.

As far as I can tell, this is a €10 discount and you get a better colour fan at the same time.

There's one less hetapipe

 

[Chrispy_]

There's one less hetapipe

Oh yeah. Then that's a pass. You can pick up decent 4-heatpipe 120mm heatsinks from €20.

€50 for a compromised heatsink and Noctua's second-rate fans isn't anything to be pleased with. Perhaps these will drop to under €40 street price where they will look more competitive with other decent 120mm quad-heatpipe offerings like the Arctic Freezer 34, Deepcool Gammax, Hyper212 Black Edition, or BQ Pure Rock 2 or 3 all at the sub-€40 price point and two of those using higher-quality fans, better aesthetics with anodised fins and top covers/heatpipe covers.

At €50 it's a worse proposition than some of the Thermalright or BeQuiet stuff, but as already mentioned, it looks like a much worse deal than Noctua's own NH-U12S.

 

[ryun]

The article did mention it but I wanted to put a spotlight on it anyway: NT-H1 is pre-applied to the base. Not sure how I feel about that. I like using those graphite pads so not really good for me personally. But if I were building someone else's machine then that's a darn nice time saver. I've always appreciated it with the stock heatsinks anyway.

Also, I don't like how they called it the "NH-U12S redux". Way too similar to the "NH-U12S" that has an additional heatpipe over this one. If anything this should be called the "NH-U12P redux" since that came with 4 heatpipes as well.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

And at least they are finally producing fans in a color other than that GAWD-awful baby-shit brown, hehehe

They have been making these industrial grey redux line of fans for something like 2 years. 7 years.

 

[Valantar]

They have been making these industrial grey redux line of fans for something like 2 years.

2? I have a redux fan in my NAS that is at least six years old.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

2? I have a redux fan in my NAS that is at least six years old.

fixed

 

[Solid State Soul ( SSS )]

so its a U12S with one less heatpipe, also the price needs to be at least 10$ cheaper for it to compete with Hyper 212

 

[MDWiley]

Noctua is like the Fractal Design of case fans now: Riding out the same design for years with little change, if any.
Not to say this isn’t a good product, especially with Noctua’s quality, but it’s rare these days for them to release anything exciting.
I guess we’ll see how it goes when they (eventually) release the chromax NF-A12x25’s.

 

[curiosity]

Budget cooler which costs... 49€? Ahahah, as expected from Noctua. Said it here first. As long as there are people swooning over these brands (like the one mentioned in the post above), they'll just keep milking it.

 

[Deleted member 205776]

Budget cooler which costs... 49€? Ahahah, as expected from Noctua. Said it here first. As long as there are people swooning over these brands (like the one mentioned in the post above), they'll just keep milking it.

I'd pay the extra 10€ for that, considering the Freezer 34 Duo, a supposed budget cooler, is 10€ less but those BioniX fans on it are just not pleasing to listen to.

At least by getting a Noctua I know I'm getting quality fan(s). And their customer support is up there with EVGA's if not surpassing it.

And at least they are finally producing fans in a color other than that GAWD-awful baby-shit brown, hehehe

Whatever it may be. I prefer Chromax, but I would much rather have Noctua brown over RGB fans, any day of the week, any week of the month, any month of the year. That brown and beige color is a signature of quality and not something that screams "G A M E R".

 

[ebivan]

Wow, what a bargain! The original u12s cost 58€ and this one with a weaker heatsink and a slightly worse fan and fewer cables and adapter costs 49.99€?
For 8€ less I can easily 'justify' buying this thing. They have really put a lot of thought into that! :-/

Dont get me wrong, own 6 brown ones and one Redux fan, and they are all really great!
But they are just too damn expensive, even the redux ones!

I just put a custom loop in my rig last week and had to choose four 120mm fans for my radiators. So I bought a 5-pack of Arctic P12 PWM for 17€, this would have given me ONE NF-F12 PWM or HALF of a NF-A12 PWM. Come on these fans are good, better than all others even, but they are not THAT much better!

 

[Valantar]

Noctua is like the Fractal Design of case fans now: Riding out the same design for years with little change, if any.
Not to say this isn’t a good product, especially with Noctua’s quality, but it’s rare these days for them to release anything exciting.
I guess we’ll see how it goes when they (eventually) release the chromax NF-A12x25’s.

The entire point of the Redux series is that it consists of simplified, cost-down variants of existing designs. Asking for innovation in that series doesn't make much sense. As for innovation - they're notoriously slow in terms of R&D, but the NF-A12x25 is still the best fan around (though the Arctic P12 comes close, and Thermaltake's copy is reportedly good), and the NH-U12A was a brand new design. They've also got quite a few new fans and coolers in the pipeline - an NF-A14x25 among others, as well as several updated or new CPU coolers.

 

[Minus Infinity]

LOL 2 Noctua chromax 140mm fans cost the same as my entire Phanteks P500A case in Australia, their prices are truly insane. I'll stick to Arctic thanks at about 25% the price.

 

[Deleted member 205776]

If only Arctic made fans that didn't have the shittiest motor resonance noise I've ever heard.

 

[Valantar]

If only Arctic made fans that didn't have the shittiest motor resonance noise I've ever heard.

Is the Bionix series really that different from the regular P series? I don't have either myself, but I've heard good quality recordings of the P12 and P14 with no such issues.

 

[Deleted member 205776]

Is the Bionix series really that different from the regular P series? I don't have either myself, but I've heard good quality recordings of the P12 and P14 with no such issues.

BioniX are louder. The regular ones have motor resonance noises which are unbearable.

 

[Valantar]

BioniX are louder. The regular ones have motor resonance noises which are unbearable.

It stands to reason that they are louder, given that they run much, much faster - the main reason why I've been considering them (to replace my current BQ SW3s). But it's weird that you say the regular ones have motor resonance noises, given that they aren't at all audible in tests like Optimum Tech's video. The NF-A12x25 is undoubtedly more pleasant to listen to, but the P12s are definitely the second best among the ones tested. Maybe this is down to production variance? Definitely makes me go back to considering paying the Noctua premium once again.

 

[Deleted member 205776]

It stands to reason that they are louder, given that they run much, much faster - the main reason why I've been considering them (to replace my current BQ SW3s). But it's weird that you say the regular ones have motor resonance noises, given that they aren't at all audible in tests like Optimum Tech's video. The NF-A12x25 is undoubtedly more pleasant to listen to, but the P12s are definitely the second best among the ones tested. Maybe this is down to production variance? Definitely makes me go back to considering paying the Noctua premium once again.

I tried P14s on my case, great performance, but they all made a horrible noise. P12s apparently have the same issue. Not sure if it's because of the front of my case (Pure Base 500DX), but I returned them immediately and returned to my Pure Wings 2 which, while louder, don't have that noise. I still don't know what case fans I should get. I'll be stuck with these for a while. Or until Arctic releases a new fan that doesn't make that noise.

 

[Valantar]

I tried P14s on my case, great performance, but they all made a horrible noise. P12s apparently have the same issue. Not sure if it's because of the front of my case (Pure Base 500DX), but I returned them immediately and returned to my Pure Wings 2 which, while louder, don't have that noise. I still don't know what case fans I should get. I'll be stuck with these for a while. Or until Arctic releases a new fan that doesn't make that noise.

Hm, that's weird. I likely won't be buying fans until I can get the case I'm planning to get - which likely won't be available until closer to summer - plus a 280mm radiator for it, but I'll have to keep that in mind. I might get P14s or P140 Bionixes and just return them if they don't sound good. But then I'd have to choose between sticking with my current 240mm rad + NF-A12x25s or waiting even longer for the NF-A14x25 to arrive in ... 2025, going by Noctua's typical R&D speed? Damn, there are no good choices here