Differences in performance u12a vs u12s vs D15s what to get ?

[2013]

Differences in performance u12a vs u12s vs D15s?
I'm thinking of changing my heatsink before my CPU upgrade.

I have a u12s at the moment and I've been thinking of changing it to a u12s chromax just for looks, or a D15S/D15 chromax for both looks and performance, the only downside to the d15/s is the size and I want to get a smaller case. when checking I also seen online if I get a u12A I would get the same performance as the d15 in a u12s size

 

[2013]

Heatsink's size and surface area always sets some limits for how well it can perform and smaller one has disadvantage.
Though there are other factors in effect.

While monolithic dies in center of CPU package prioritize contact in center, chiplet design CPUs with heat producing dies off center need good contact at big area.
And heatsinks with convex base optimized for Intel's concave heatspreaders actually suffer in that with convex heatspreader of Ryzens.
https://www.igorslab.de/en/cpu-heat...asures-now-at-amd-and-intel-rethink-basics/3/
So for modern Ryzens ideal cooler's base would be flat. (or grinded/lapped flat)

I dont know if Noctoas are flat. Out of these heatsinks would I see much difference in them?

 

[2013]

NH-D15 / NH-D15S are some of the best cooling coolers on market.
NH-U12S is just one of many 4x 6mm heatpipe 120mm fanned coolers on the market .. all performing about the same.
NH-U12S Redux is same size as NH-U12S but has 5x 6mm heatpipes so coolers about 25% better.
NH-U12A still use 2x of the much better NH-A12x25 fans, is also thicker and has 7x 6mm heatpipes thus cooling much better too.

Thanks doyll, I just wanted to confirm are you sure the u12s is 4 pipe not 5 pipe as it looks like it has 5 pipes and the redux looks like it has 4 and was meant to be the budget heatsink.

as for the u12a is it cooler because of the 7 or the 2 fans?
could I get better performance out of them if I used a better fan or would that not make any difference?

I was also a little worried about the size thats why I did not jump for the D15/D15s the height is about the same for all its just the width and depth, U12 models they all seem to be the same in size

D15
Height (without fan) 160 mm
Width (without fan) 150 mm
Depth (without fan) 135 mm

Weight (without fan) 980 g

Height (with fan) 165 mm
Width (with fan) 150 mm
Depth (with fan) 161 mm

Weight (with fan) 1320 g

D15S
Height (without fan) 160 mm
Width (without fan)150 mm
Depth (without fan) 135 mm

Height (with fan) 160 mm
Width (with fan) 150 mm
Depth (with fan) 135 mm

Weight (with fan) 1150 g

U12S
Height (without fan) 158 mm
Width (without fan) 125 mm
Depth (without fan) 45 mm

Height (with fan) 158 mm
Width (with fan) 125 mm
Depth (with fan) 71 mm
Weight (with fan) 755 g

U12A
Height (without fan) 158 mm
Width (without fan) 125 mm
Depth (without fan) 58 mm
Weight (without fan) 760 g

Height (with fan) 158 mm
Width (with fan) 125 mm
Depth (with fan) 112 mm

Weight (with fan) 1220 g

U12S Redux
Height (without fan) 158 mm
Width (without fan) 125 mm
Depth (without fan) 45 mm

Height (with fan) 158 mm
Width (with fan) 125 mm
Depth (with fan) 71 mm

Weight (with fan) 755 g

 

[2013]

Thanks for the info.
To give you a better idea.

I'm not too bothered about the noise, I'm assuming it won't be worse than the U12S and the other fans I already have, if I'm wrong let me know
Considering they are all around 160mm in height its kind of even on this point.

im planning an upgrade to a 3700x/3800x which im considering overclocking but will depend on things later and is the main reason for looking at air coolers again.

I have a Phanteks primo at the moment and im hoping to get a lian li o11 evo when it comes out, lancool 2 maybe mesh, Fractal Design Torrent.
Things could change but that's what I'm hoping for.

I always try to leep the cooler as long as it will fit the case and noctua will provide the support brackets for anything new because after years they are still some of the best.

At the moment I don't really look inside my case (its on the floor) and im not too sure I would in the future but lian li 011 is glass case and a lot of new ones are so you never know, so I wanted to consider the option.

the other issue I see is the size of the heatsinks, I would need to have ram clearance otherwise it would be a pain to deal with later, ive not had a D15 before so Im assuming I would be shocked with the size when I get it.

I hope it won't be overshadowing the rest of the system

 

[2013]

Noise My baseline is the U12S, Which at Max 22,4 dB(A) seems to be around the same as the others.
temperatures - I would like to get the best performance
pricing - I would be willing to pay a little more for performance but it depend on how much more I could get, I have time maybe I could get a bargain.
size - again I would like to go for the smaller option but performance does matter, I would need to have RAM and GPU clearance at least,

I noticed the D15 come with 2 fans the D15S comes with one, any performance difference ?

 

[2013]

Ill need to double check but it could be a F12 fan
I'm still finding it hard to choose, Both will be around the same price.

It's down to performance, size & looks
Size - U12A wins this any size by side comparisons or anything to give me a idea how much bigger the D15 is

Looks - D15 wins this, I could improve the looks of the U12A But I would need to replace the fans and get one of the chromax covers but that is an extra cost and I have no idea which fans would be best.

Performance
I don't know how they compare against each other
Any idea how much improvement I would get with a U12A v D15 over the U12S? how would you rank them?

 

[2013]

Indeed, I goofed / switch the number of heatpipes per model. Good catch.


D15 footprint is 150mm wide by 161mm front to back with fans and weights1320g.
U12A footprint is 125mm wide and 112mm front to back with fans and weights 1220g.
Easy way to compare then is draw there footprint (150x160mm for NH-D15 & 125x112mm for NH-U12A) on stiff paper / thin cardboard and cut them out. Center of D15 base is center of 150x160 piece. U12A base is centered side to side with 64.5mm from back to center and 47.5mm center to front. You can lay them on top of current cooler with base centered over CPU to get an idea of their size.

Thanks, How do the 2 compare with each other? in the real world? im getting different results online

also ive seen a U12a priced at 35 but it has no fans, is it worth considering?

 

[2013]

It unfortunately all depends. Too many variables.

I let mine soak the 4930K for example with lower fan speeds and hit higher temps, but it still works. But that's after lower noise levels for higher temps on the CPU on the cooler.
I could alternatively have it at48C (25C ambient) with max case airflow and fans at 100%, not terribly noisey, but there's not much benefit to that. But it does keep the CPU exceptionally cool comparatively.

If you're trying to get the most performance out of a CPU as possible, then the U12A should be comparable to the D15 up to a certain point (I don't know what the point is however), but I imagine it's around one of those latest Intel 11k CPUs. Whilst the U12S will have failed long ago to keep the high end CPU going at full turbo speeds. If I were to give an estimate, I would say:

Latest CPU Power Hog (Intel 11 series K or whatever those power hogs are now these days)

100 = D15 will likely work but at max temps for turbo speed from CPU
94 = U12A "may" be able to run it at Turbo from CPU still but possibly not at max turbo speeds all day long (depending on circumstances).
82 = U12S will be able to run it at base speeds only. No Turbo or overclock.



Not worth it. The magic of the U12A is from the entire package, and that means including the A12x25 fans. And each fan is at least £25 each more, so that's £85 already, may as well get it new. Unless if you want to use alternative fans, which is viable, but you can't guarantee the performance then from the U12A.

Thanks mate, all of you guys have been a great help, I was thinking it would be similar, if that is the case I think the U12A would be a better option.

Also I wanted to ask would I need to worry about the ram clearance on D15

Again similar option on the buying the U12A Ive had 2 thoughts on it, because of the price I was thinking of buying black fans to improve the look but I was having 2nd thoughts for the same reason you stated, I dont know what performance I would get with other fans or what I would end up paying, the standard fans are not easily available and not cheap so ill leave it.

Ill see what comes my way,
if it is the difference of 94-100, My first choice would be the U12A due to the size even with the lack of colour and the D15 my 2nd option depending on the prices.

I've also seen a customer return model U12A complete £65 would that be a better option ? Is that more reasonable or should I just keep an eye out.

I dont need it asap but its a good idea of me to see what I would be spending

 

[2013]

The thing with return model its from a large company similar to OC so I have also the option to return if it has any of the issues.

as for the other one I considered your option and left it.