Installation

Noctua's patented SecuFirm2 back plate can be used for all modern Intel sockets. There are three hole patterns as listed on the backside of the plate. To begin installation of the cooler simply insert the bolts through the holes that correspond to which socket you are using it on. In this review we are using a Socket 1156 so we will be using B. Since Sockets 1156 and 1366 have a CPU socket backplate installed already you need to remove the inner rubber piece to allow the bracket to sit properly on the back of the motherboard. If you are using this on Socket 775 this step is not necessary. Be sure to align the two screw cutouts properly so that they correspond to the CPU socket's back plate if you are using the cooler on Socket 1156 or the back plate will not seat properly. This is a very important step to prevent possible CPU damage.


Once the back plate is installed properly, flip the motherboard over and install the four black spacers onto the back plates posts. Next up, place the mounting brackets over the posts and secure them with the four thumbscrews provided. The included Phillips screwdriver can be used to tighten the thumbscrews up before the next step.


Next up is installation of the mounting flanges to the base of the cooler. Each side uses two small screws that go through the base and thread into the flange itself. Noctua ships the cooler with these in the acsessory box to save space which allows for a smaller packaging. While there are many methods to apply thermal grease onto a CPU, I find the line method works best. Place a small amount of thermal grease on the IHS of the CPU about the size of a grain of rice. Using the included Phillips screwdriver, secure the cooler to the mounting assembly.


A quick removal of the cooler shows the thermal grease spreads nice and evenly across the IHS of the CPU as well as the base of the cooler. This means that the base is nice and flat, just what we wanted to see.

Finished look

Fully installed, the cooler's footprint is clearly one of the smaller ones on the market. The dual 92 mm fans provide airflow for components around the CPU socket such as memory modules, chipset, and voltage regulation circuitry while keeping the CPU cool as its main objective. With an overall height of 125 mm, the NH-U9B SE2 is shorter than most "tower" designs and should not cause any difficulties installing in cases that are tight on space. If your motherboard has a limited number of 3-pin fan headers you can make use of the included Y-splitter to connect both fans to the boards CPU fan header. The included fan clips are super easy to install and simply snap right on, holding the fans to the cooler quite securely.


The only clearance issue I ran into was with the memory modules. Typically most users only use the channel located furthest from the CPU socket, in this case the white slots on this Gigabyte H55, due to the fan configuration some users may run into clearance issues with modules that are equipped with taller heat-spreaders. The fan can be positioned higher up on the cooler to allow for a bit more clearance. Most motherboards have a bit more space between the CPU socket and the RAM slots so this may only be an issue on certain motherboards. Noctua has provided a compatibility list for all their coolers on their site but the one for this cooler can be found here.