NoctuaNH-U12S redux, High Performance CPU Cooler with NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM 120mm fan (Grey)

I was looking around for an aftermarket CPU cooler at this price point and saw the recent video on Linus Tech Tips about this coming out - it was right in my price range so I didn't even need a second thought to buy!This fit perfectly in a Fractal Meshify C MicroATX case. Easy to install on an AM4 socket with pre-applied thermal paste, and it reduced CPU temps under a full stress-testing load from around 83 celsius to barely breaking 70 (Ryzen 5 3600, running at around 4.0-4.2GHz when boosted. From videos I've seen, this performace matches even the more expensive non-redux version. The fan is nearly silent on day-to-day gaming load, and with the right fan curve, barely even needs to go up to full power (where it will be as loud as any other CPU cooler in this price bracket, but will definitely shift some air!).Noctua are one of the most respected brands in computer cooling for very good reason - they are excellently made, have what is widely regarded as the best mounting system in the industry, and thier products deliver on performance. I have also heard thier customer support is excellent, not that I've needed it. Apparently, if you upgrade your motherboard later with a future socket that isn't supported, Noctua will send you the required hardware to mount for shipping costs only.If this is the amount you're looking to spend on a cooler, I really think there isn't a better option and I would recommend it to absolutely anyone.

It's an excellent CPU cooler for £44, it keeps my i5 12500 nice and cool whilst remaining quiet (much quieter than a stock intel cooler), it could probably handle a bit more too! Mounting it was also fairly straightforward, so no complaints here!

Highlights: SLIM, so no problems with RAM clearance. QUIET, LOW TEMPS, EASY TO INSTALLI got this to get something affordable, reliable and quiet to replace an intel stock cooler Laminar RH1. Stock coolers for Alder Lake are loud as Hell. The RM1 that comes with the low power CPUs like 12600 produces a loud pitched noise that makes you murderous. Whereas the RH1 that comes with the 12900F and the likes, produces more of a whooshing sound that's still too loud and annoying.This one is whisper quiet at low speeds and hardly audible at full speed. And of course maximum temperatures during gaming for the CPU are never above 64 Celsius for 12900F, generally more around 55-60. During idle temperatures are of course 1 degree above room temperature.Haven't stressed it fully yet, but have no reason to believe it would have any issues handling anything that a non-K intel CPU can throw at it.It's the low noise that makes it a good sell for me.And it's slim, so you don't have to worry about RAM clearance, as it won't go over the RAM at all. Did have to remove the NVME heatsink that the motherboard provided by default as it was simply too beefy and not allowing the cooler to sit properly.

I recently purchased the Noctua air cooler, and I am blown away by its performance. As someone who uses my PC for gaming and other resource-intensive tasks, keeping my CPU cool is a top priority. This cooler has exceeded my expectations in every way.The Noctua air cooler is incredibly efficient at dissipating heat, keeping my CPU temperature low even during heavy loads. The noise level is minimal, and I barely notice it running. The build quality is excellent, and the installation process was straightforward with clear instructions provided.The cooler's large size may be intimidating, but it fits perfectly into my PC case without any clearance issues. The included fans are high-quality and provide excellent airflow. I appreciate the customization options with multiple fan configurations to suit my needs.Overall, I am incredibly impressed with the Noctua air cooler. It's the best cooling solution for your PC, providing optimal performance and minimal noise. If you're looking for a high-quality air cooler, I highly recommend Noctua.

TL;DR - Get it..Long version - I have been gaming on a PC for over 15 years. Started building PCs (for me, friends, their friends, or anyone who has asked me to build a PC) roughly 10 years ago. And I have used several CPU coolers during that time. My budget is not big, so I use Ryzen 5 5600x in my gaming PC. It has all the power I need. Again, my budget is not big. I used to swear by the Hyper 212 EVO, mainly because Noctua CPU coolers are... on the pricier side. Then I discovered the NH-U12S redux and decided to try it. Holy... cow. This thing is a beast. Compared to the stock 5600x cooler it lowered the CPU temperature by more than 20 degrees when gaming (from 89-92 to 62-65 degrees Celsius). My Hyper 212 EVO was not doing bad, the temperature when gaming was around 72-75 degrees, but for similar price NH-U12S redux does a better job. This is not a bargain, it's a steal. It comes with pre-applied NT-H1 Noctua thermal paste, so you don't need to buy additional expensive paste (because most of the cheaper CPU coolers come with thermal paste that is a joke). The performance is great. And it's sooo silent. Get it. If you have budget limitations and want a great CPU cooler that will last you for ages (Noctua will send you mounting brackets for newer motherboards for free) there is nothing better than NH-U12S redux..P.S.: if you have a higher performance/temperature CPU get the NA-FK1 redux second fan upgrade kit. Two fans will make NH-U12S redux more quiet and will also decrease the temperature even further..

Very good quality cooler by Noctua, perfect for my new i5 11400 build. Allows it to boost to maximum speed on heavy loads and is still super quiet. Only slight quibble is the redesign of it backplate. Far more fidly and time consuming to assemble especially for novice builders, Noctua lost points on that. Overall though very solid component for the price point.