{"data":{"slug":"noctua-nh-l12s","type":"cpu_cooler","brand":"Noctua","name":"NH-L12S","aliases":["Noctua L12S","NH-L12S low profile cooler"],"release_date":"2017-10","url":"https://arkivo.dev/cpu-coolers/noctua-nh-l12s","specs":{"series":"NH-L12","model_numbers":["NH-L12S"],"gtins":["9010018000054","841501100055"],"announce_date":null,"status":"available","predecessor":null,"successor":null,"launch_price_usd":null,"launch_price_eur":49.9,"markets":null,"colors":null,"manufacturer_url":"https://noctua.at/en/nh-l12s","spec_sheet_url":"https://gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/e/2/d8a64da155a929a006aa5665b6e2c5792b08.pdf","manual_url":null,"eprel_registration_number":null,"warranty_years":6,"cpu_cooler":"air","air_cooler_layout":"top_flow","rated_tdp_w":null,"base_material":"nickel_plated_copper","thermal_paste":"included","sockets":["AM5","AM4","LGA1954","LGA1851","LGA1700","LGA1200","LGA1156","LGA1155","LGA1151","LGA1150"],"ram_clearance_mm":35,"offset_mounting":true,"heatpipe_count":4,"heatpipe_diameter_mm":6,"direct_contact_heatpipes":false,"radiator_mm":null,"radiator_dimensions_mm":null,"radiator_material":null,"tube_length_mm":null,"pump_speed_max_rpm":null,"pump_connector":null,"vrm_fan":null,"fans":[{"model":"NF-A12x15 PWM","size_mm":120,"count":1,"speed_min_rpm":450,"speed_max_rpm":1850,"airflow_cfm":55.4,"static_pressure_mmh2o":1.53,"noise_dba":23.9,"bearing":"sso","connector":"pwm_4_pin"}],"fan_count":1,"rgb_lighting":false,"lighting_standard":null,"display_type":"none","display_size_in":null,"display_resolution":null,"software_name":null,"usb_header_required":false,"cybenetics_theta_am5":null,"cybenetics_theta_lga1851":null,"measured_op_30dba_am5":null,"measured_op_30dba_lga1851":null,"measured_noise_max_dba":null,"measured_thermal_tests":[{"test_cpu":"Intel Core i7-14700K","load":"3DMark Steel Nomad stress test, open bench with no case fans, maximum temperature","cpu_power_w":null,"fan_setting":null,"noise_dba":null,"cpu_temp_c":92,"temp_over_ambient_c":null},{"test_cpu":"Intel Core i7-14700K","load":"Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition, open bench with no case fans, maximum temperature","cpu_power_w":null,"fan_setting":null,"noise_dba":null,"cpu_temp_c":86,"temp_over_ambient_c":null},{"test_cpu":"Intel Core i7-14700K","load":"Cinebench R23, open bench with no case fans, thermal throttling at the limit (x264 also reached 100 C)","cpu_power_w":null,"fan_setting":null,"noise_dba":null,"cpu_temp_c":100,"temp_over_ambient_c":null},{"test_cpu":"AMD Ryzen 7 9700X","load":"Gaming, Fractal Design Terra case with one extra 120 mm fan, maximum temperature","cpu_power_w":null,"fan_setting":null,"noise_dba":null,"cpu_temp_c":76,"temp_over_ambient_c":null},{"test_cpu":"AMD Ryzen 7 9700X","load":"Handbrake and Cinebench R24, Fractal Design Terra case with one extra 120 mm fan, maximum temperature","cpu_power_w":null,"fan_setting":null,"noise_dba":null,"cpu_temp_c":79,"temp_over_ambient_c":null},{"test_cpu":"Intel Core i7-7700K","load":"Asus RealBench 2.44, 60 minutes, fixed 4.2 GHz at 1.16 V, average core temperature (RealTemp) over ambient","cpu_power_w":null,"fan_setting":"100%","noise_dba":null,"cpu_temp_c":null,"temp_over_ambient_c":41.85},{"test_cpu":"Intel Core i7-7700K","load":"Asus RealBench 2.44, 60 minutes, overclocked to 4.7 GHz at 1.22 V, average core temperature (RealTemp) over ambient, highest of three runs","cpu_power_w":null,"fan_setting":"100%","noise_dba":null,"cpu_temp_c":null,"temp_over_ambient_c":53.15}],"dimensions_mm":{"width_mm":128,"height_mm":70,"depth_mm":146},"heatsink_dimensions_mm":{"width_mm":128,"height_mm":70,"depth_mm":146},"weight_g":520,"heatsink_weight_g":390,"in_the_box":["1x NF-A12x15 PWM premium fan","Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.)","NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound","SecuFirm2 mounting kit","Noctua metal case-badge","Screwdriver"]},"variants":[],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.quietpc.com/nh-l12s","kind":"retailer","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["model_numbers","gtins","status","warranty_years","cpu_cooler","base_material","thermal_paste","sockets","ram_clearance_mm","fans","dimensions_mm","heatsink_dimensions_mm","weight_g","heatsink_weight_g","in_the_box","air_cooler_layout","series","rgb_lighting","display_type"],"notes":{"model_numbers":"Noctua gives no separate model code. The model name is NH-L12S.","gtins":"EAN barcode 9010018000054 in the spec table copied from Noctua.","status":"26 in stock on the access date.","warranty_years":"Noctua spec table copy: Warranty 72 months, and the text says a full 6-year manufacturer's warranty. No market is named.","cpu_cooler":"Low-profile air cooler with one slim 120 mm fan.","base_material":"Material: copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints and nickel plating. EnosTech and Basic Tutorials describe the base and pipes as nickel-plated copper.","thermal_paste":"Noctua NT-H1 thermal compound in the accessories.","sockets":"Spec table: Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156 and AMD AM5, AM4. The product text also names LGA2011, LGA2066 and older AMD sockets. The text is from the launch and the current spec table omits them, so they are not stored. The installation method is a backplate that needs motherboard removal.","ram_clearance_mm":"Text: with the fan installed on top of the fins, modules up to 48 mm fit, against 35 mm in low-profile mode (fan underneath the fins). The fan sits underneath as delivered, so 35 mm is stored. The launch data sheet says 45 mm for the fan-on-top mode.","fans":"Fan table: NF-A12x15 PWM, SSO bearing, 1850 RPM max (+/-10%), 1400 RPM with the L.N.A., 450 RPM min (PWM), 55.4 CFM, 23.9 dB(A), 16.8 dB(A) with the L.N.A. Max values are for the fan without the L.N.A. Static pressure is not on this page, see the Noctua data sheets.","dimensions_mm":"Height (with fan) 70 mm, width 128 mm, depth 146 mm. The 70 mm is the low-profile mode with the fan underneath the fins. With the fan on top the launch data sheet gives 87 mm and the text 85 to 95 mm depending on the fan.","heatsink_dimensions_mm":"Height (without fan) 70 mm, width 128 mm, depth 146 mm. The fan sits inside the fin stack footprint, so the sizes with and without it are equal.","weight_g":"Weight (with fan) 520 g.","heatsink_weight_g":"Weight (without fan) 390 g.","in_the_box":"Accessories: 1x NF-A12x15 PWM premium fan, Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.), NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound, SecuFirm2 mounting kit, Noctua metal case-badge. EnosTech and Basic Tutorials add the screwdriver.","air_cooler_layout":"The text calls the NH-L12 line low-profile 120mm top-flow coolers. The fan can blow upwards or downwards.","series":"The text calls the NH-L12S the successor to the NH-L12 and the model of the NH-L12 line. The family name NH-L12 is stored.","rgb_lighting":"The spec table and the accessory list show no lighting. The fan is the plain NF-A12x15.","display_type":"The spec table lists no screen."}},{"url":"https://gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/e/2/d8a64da155a929a006aa5665b6e2c5792b08.pdf","kind":"manufacturer_pdf","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["spec_sheet_url","gtins","launch_price_eur","warranty_years","fans","thermal_paste","model_numbers"],"notes":{"spec_sheet_url":"Noctua's data sheet for the NH-L12S, hosted by Geizhals. It is an older revision: sockets end at LGA2066, LGA2011 and AM4, and the RAM text says 45 mm.","gtins":"Logistic data: EAN 9010018000054 and UPC 841501100055.","launch_price_eur":"Logistic data: MSPR 49.90 EUR. The sheet gives no country and no tax note. Noctua's suggested prices include VAT in EU shops, but the sheet does not say so.","warranty_years":"Warranty 6 Years.","fans":"NF-A12x15 PWM table: 1850 RPM, 94.2 m3/h, 23.9 dB(A), 1.53 mmH2O without the adaptor. With the L.N.A.: 1400 RPM, 70.8 m3/h, 16.8 dB(A), 0.90 mmH2O. 94.2 m3/h is 55.4 CFM.","thermal_paste":"Scope of delivery: 1x NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound.","model_numbers":"Product name Noctua NH-L12S."}},{"url":"https://gzhls.at/blob/ldb/9/b/c/e/908bf63bad9d1599f184bd6bcd48a977c989.pdf","kind":"manufacturer_pdf","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["fans"],"notes":{"fans":"Noctua's NF-A12x15 PWM data sheet: 120 x 120 x 15 mm, SSO2 bearing, 4-pin connector, 1850 RPM (+/-10%), 94.2 m3/h, 23.9 dB(A) and 1.53 mmH2O without the adaptor. Minimum PWM speed 450 RPM is on the NH-L12S spec table."}},{"url":"https://noctua.at/en/nh-l12s","kind":"manufacturer_page","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["manufacturer_url"],"notes":{"manufacturer_url":"Noctua's product page. The page was not opened. It is stored as the product link only. No value comes from it."}},{"url":"https://www.funkykit.com/reviews/cooling/noctua-nh-l12s-cpu-cooler-review/2/","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["release_date","ram_clearance_mm"],"notes":{"release_date":"Review of 2017-10-15 as a new cooler. EnosTech (2017-11-06) and Lazer3D (2017-11-17) review it as new, and Basic Tutorials says it launched in 2017. No Noctua launch release was found, so the month is the first review.","ram_clearance_mm":"The reviewer had to move the fan on top to fit tall modules, so the low-profile mode limits the module height. Maker text on page 1: 48 mm with the fan on top against 35 mm in low-profile mode."}},{"url":"https://www.enostech.com/noctua-nh-l12s-lower-profile-cpu-cooler-review/","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["heatpipe_count","heatpipe_diameter_mm","direct_contact_heatpipes","base_material","in_the_box","measured_thermal_tests","usb_header_required"],"notes":{"heatpipe_count":"4 heat pipes.","heatpipe_diameter_mm":"Four heat pipes, each of 6 mm thickness.","direct_contact_heatpipes":"The base is a copper block of 33 x 37 mm. The heat pipes are soldered to the base above the baseplate.","base_material":"The base and the heat pipes are copper with a nickel coating.","in_the_box":"Accessories: Noctua metal badge, 1x screwdriver, NT-H1, Low-Noise Adapter NA-RC7, AMD and Intel mounting parts.","measured_thermal_tests":"EnosTech, review of 2017-11-06. Core i7-7700K on an Asus Z170-P, Noctua NT-H1 paste on every cooler, the fan at 100% (1850 RPM). Asus RealBench 2.44 stress runs of 60 minutes, RealTemp 3.70 for the core temperatures. The charts show deltas with the ambient subtracted, and the ambient is not stated. At 4.2 GHz (1.16 V) the maximum was 41.85 and at 4.7 GHz (1.22 V) 53.15, the highest average of three runs. The text also says 24 dBA at full speed, which is the maker figure, so no noise is stored.","usb_header_required":"Installation: connect the fan's 4-pin power connector to the CPU fan header or any fan header. No USB cable or software is part of the cooler."}},{"url":"https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/cooling/noctua-nh-l12s-review/","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["measured_thermal_tests","heatpipe_count","ram_clearance_mm"],"notes":{"measured_thermal_tests":"PC Gamer review of 2025-02-04. The Core i7-14700K (up to 253 W) on the usual open Intel bench with no case fans: a 92 C maximum in the 3DMark Steel Nomad stress test, 86 C in Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition, and 100 C with thermal throttling in x264 and Cinebench R23. The Ryzen 7 9700X (65 W) on an Asus ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi in a Fractal Design Terra with one extra 120 mm fan: a 76 C maximum while gaming and 79 C in Handbrake and Cinebench R24. The paste, fan setting, ambient and noise are not stated. The 9700X build had the fan flipped, with 35 mm RAM room. The fan position on the 14700K bench is not stated.","heatpipe_count":"Four heatpipes.","ram_clearance_mm":"RAM clearance 48 mm with the fan mounted on top and 35 mm with the fan mounted inside."}},{"url":"https://basic-tutorials.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/noctua-nh-l12s/","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["offset_mounting","heatpipe_count","base_material","air_cooler_layout"],"notes":{"offset_mounting":"The AMD brackets have two holes each, one for central mounting and one for offset mounting. On AM5 the -7 mm position is advised for the best result.","heatpipe_count":"Four heatpipes run from a nickel-plated copper contact surface to the fins.","base_material":"Nickel-plated copper contact surface.","air_cooler_layout":"The fan sits under the fins from the factory and moves the air upwards. It can also go on top. Lazer3D confirms the fan pushes air up through the heatsink as delivered."}},{"url":"https://www.club386.com/?p=125126","kind":"press","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["sockets"],"notes":{"sockets":"Article quoting Noctua's FAQ: all Noctua CPU coolers compatible with LGA1851 and LGA1700 also support Intel's LGA1954, and no additional mounting parts are needed. The NH-L12S is listed for LGA1851 and LGA1700, so LGA1954 is stored. The article warns that low-profile coolers with a backplate mount may differ, but Noctua's statement covers all its coolers."}}],"fields_filled":29,"updated":"2026-10-16"},"meta":{"api_version":"1","docs":"https://arkivo.dev/api"}}