Introduction

A big thank you to Noctua for supplying the review sample.

With a reputation forged by amazing performance, exceptional quality, and ultra-low noise levels, Noctua remains a premier manufacturer of PC-cooling products. Like the towering mount Everest, they continue to be one of the benchmarks all others are typically compared to. The can't-miss color scheme of tan and brown may not be to everyone's taste, but continues to be a hallmark of the brand. It is something most PC enthusiasts will recognize by just a quick glance, and that awareness paired with the knowledge that they offer some of the best warranty and after-sales support of any PC-cooling company means they remain a quintessential enthusiast favorite.


While it has been quite some time since a Noctua cooler has graced my test bench, I am always happy to see what they have in store. Today's review will put the NH-D12L, Noctua's latest design, to the test by seeing just what this low-height dual tower cooler can do. It has a maximum height of 145 mm, which should fit most 4U rackmount server cases along with a few Mini-ITX cases. To be fair, that is a bit of a niche market, but having a top-tier offering for those in need means it should still prove quite popular.

Packaging

Noctua's brown and tan color scheme for their products and packaging design is comforting on a certain level as it hasn't changed in nearly a decade. I reviewed a Noctua cooler the first time around nine years ago, and during that span, the packaging has essentially remained the same. The front of the box details the cooler's various features, including its 5-heat-pipe design, 6-year warranty, 145 mm maximum height, and so on. Turning to the left side again lists the various features, but with a bit of information rather than a simple bullet list. Meanwhile, the back gives a quick rundown on why Noctua opted for a low-height dual-tower design in various languages—it essentially boils down to offering a highly efficient cooler with better case compatibility.


The right side of the box gives detailed specifications, such as the NF-A12-25r PWM fan's RPM range, cooler weight, and supported sockets. Thankfully, the text is clearly visible and easy to read. Finally, the top of the box, much like the front, lists the same features, but rather than a close-up shot of the top fins on the heatsink, Noctua uses a close-up of the nickel-plated copper base.

Contents

Upon closer inspection, you will find all the mounting hardware in a separate box right on top, while the heatsink and fan are encased in a smaller cardboard box below. To say Noctua offers good packaging is an understatement. In fact, this time around, I had to wonder if they just sought to make it a challenge to get the cooler out. The second box containing the cooler was so well formed and tightly put together I eventually just got mad and ripped it apart. I am all for protecting a product, but I legitimately had to channel my inner Hulk to even get the heatsink and fan out of their protective cardboard shield.


Noctua's SecuFirm2 mounting system includes everything necessary for the installation of the NH-D12L on essentially every modern socket. AMD's Socket AM4 and future AM5 are both supported along with Intel's LGA115x, LGA1200, LGA1700 and, of course, LGA2011 and LGA2066.

Common parts supplied for mounting include:

• 4x LGA20XX bolts
• 4x AMD mounting screws
• 4x AMD AM4 (gray)
• 4x Intel mounting screws
• 4x Intel mounting screw C clips
• 4x Intel spacers (blue)
• 4x Intel spacers (black)
• 4x Thumbscrews
• 4x Fan clips
• 2x Installation manuals
• 2x AMD mounting arms
• 2x Intel mounting arms
• 1x 120 x 25 mm fan
• 1x Low noise adapter
• 1x Intel backplate
• 1x Tube of NT-H1 thermal paste
• 1x Phillips screwdriver
• 1x Metal Noctua badge