Noctua NH-U12A Vs D15S

[Relentless81]

Hi,

I've been reading a lot about these recently and can't decide which I would go for. They are both designed with compatability in mind but they are both quite tall with the U12A just 2mm shorter at 158mm

The D15S seems to beat the U12A using a single fan which to me is a benefit as it's one less fan to make noise and contribute to the battle of negative pressure and it's cheaper.

Also there are Chromax accessories for the D15S where as U12A your stuck with brown and tan until next year and I dread to think what the Chromax version of those fans will cost

So, why would anyone anyone buy the U12A over the D15S?

 

[Relentless81]

For a start:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/noctua-nh-u12s-chromax-pure-black-cpu-cooler-hs-03n-nc.html

Cost? D15 is some £85+ where as the 12 is £65+

I'm not talking about the U12S I'm talking about the U12A

The D15/D15S will be better as it is a 140mm cooler vs a 120mm cooler and bigger overall as a twin style, not really sure what you are asking as if it fits your case buy the better cooler.

The NH-U12A is marketed as a 120mm cooler that is as good as a 140mm in a compact form

What I'm saying is it's more expensive and not quite living up to its claims so why would you buy it over a D15S

 

[Relentless81]

Apples to apples with 2 coolers in the same range but different sizes (120mm and 140mm) the actual metal parts (surface area) of the 140mm cooler and extra heatpipe(s) due to the extra space will be cooler.

Apples to oranges this new cooler though it is 120mm has extra heatpipe(s) and can cool as good/better than their previous 140mm coolers but again they are both Single Stack coolers not Twin Stack Coolers.

If the op thinks he is going to buy that new 120mm cooler and cool the same as the D15/15S then he is delusional.

I'm not claiming that it will, I know it won't because I've seen tests that prove it. So I have no intention of becoming "delusional"

What I am getting at is what is the point in it over a D15S, it just seems a bit pointless, more money, similar height, similar compatibility, more noise, more fans. It doesn't make sense as to why it exists

 

[Relentless81]

I see, that's an good explanation and I can see why you went with it

I'm tempted myself after reading that because I want my next build to be m/itx but I can't stand the colour of the fans and my next build could be some time away yet

 

[Relentless81]

There is just something about the Mugen 5 I dislike, I think it's because it's so shiny it stands out too much and the RGB version is horrendous plus I want an upgrade from my Dark Rock 4 the Mugen is more of a side grade

 

[Relentless81]

As a current U12A owner and former D15 owner I think I can add some perspective on this.

The extra cost of the U12A over a D15 (regular or S) is basically it's only disadvantage, the performance is "within margin of error" levels the same. As far as advantages go, it's smaller which makes it easier to install and fit in a case. In addition, it doesn't hang over the RAM so you can put stupidly tall RAM in every slot and not have to worry about clearance issues (as an added bonus, the fan will actually cool the RAM, unlike on a D15 where the fan has to be mounted above the RAM).

The U12A is very easy to underestimate, people hear the 12 and assume small, but it's thicker than any other Noctua cooler, it has more surface area than a U14, it has more heatpipes than a D15, and it has the best fans on any Noctua cooler. Noctua really pulled out all the stops when they designed this.

Thanks for the input, I'll wait to the end of month and see if either the D15S or U12A go on offer (I doubt it but you never know) And invest in one