{"data":{"slug":"noctua-nh-u12a","type":"cpu_cooler","brand":"Noctua","name":"NH-U12A","aliases":["NH-U12A chromax.black","Noctua U12A","NH-U12A ch.bk"],"release_date":"2019-03","url":"https://arkivo.dev/cpu-coolers/noctua-nh-u12a","specs":{"series":"NH-U12","model_numbers":["NH-U12A","NH-U12A chromax.black"],"gtins":["9010018000160","9010018000245"],"announce_date":"2019-03-19","status":"available","predecessor":null,"successor":null,"launch_price_usd":99.9,"launch_price_eur":99.9,"markets":null,"colors":["Brown","Black"],"manufacturer_url":"https://noctua.at/en/nh-u12a","spec_sheet_url":null,"manual_url":null,"eprel_registration_number":null,"warranty_years":6,"cpu_cooler":"air","air_cooler_layout":"single_tower","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":null,"offset_mounting":null,"heatpipe_count":7,"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-A12x25 PWM","size_mm":120,"count":2,"speed_min_rpm":450,"speed_max_rpm":2000,"airflow_cfm":60.1,"static_pressure_mmh2o":2.34,"noise_dba":22.6,"bearing":"sso","connector":"pwm_4_pin"}],"fan_count":2,"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":"AMD Ryzen 7 3700X","load":"Prime95 in-place large FFTs, maximum worker threads, at least 10 minutes, stock settings, two fans","cpu_power_w":null,"fan_setting":"2 fans on the CPU fan header","noise_dba":null,"cpu_temp_c":61,"temp_over_ambient_c":null},{"test_cpu":"AMD Ryzen 7 3700X","load":"Prime95 in-place large FFTs, maximum worker threads, at least 10 minutes, stock settings, one fan","cpu_power_w":null,"fan_setting":"1 fan on the CPU fan header","noise_dba":null,"cpu_temp_c":64,"temp_over_ambient_c":null}],"dimensions_mm":{"width_mm":125,"height_mm":158,"depth_mm":112},"heatsink_dimensions_mm":{"width_mm":125,"height_mm":158,"depth_mm":58},"weight_g":1220,"heatsink_weight_g":760,"in_the_box":["2x NF-A12x25 PWM 120mm fan","2x Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A)","4-pin PWM y-cable","SecuFirm2 mounting system for Intel and AMD","NT-H1 thermal compound","Noctua Metal Case-Badge"]},"variants":[{"model_number":"NH-U12A","gtin":"9010018000160","colors":["Brown"],"launch_price_usd":99.9,"launch_price_eur":99.9,"in_the_box":["2x NF-A12x25 PWM 120mm fan","2x Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A)","4-pin PWM y-cable","SecuFirm2 mounting system for Intel and AMD","NT-H1 thermal compound","Noctua Metal Case-Badge"]},{"model_number":"NH-U12A chromax.black","gtin":"9010018000245","colors":["Black"],"launch_price_usd":119.9,"launch_price_eur":119.9,"in_the_box":["Black NH-U12A heatsink","2x NF-A12x25 PWM chromax.black premium fan","2x NA-RC14 Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A)","NA-YC1 4-pin PWM y-cable","NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound","Black SecuFirm2 mounting kit","Noctua Metal Case-Badge"]}],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.quietpc.com/nh-u12a","kind":"retailer","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["series","model_numbers","gtins","variants","status","cpu_cooler","air_cooler_layout","base_material","thermal_paste","sockets","heatpipe_count","fans","rgb_lighting","display_type","dimensions_mm","heatsink_dimensions_mm","weight_g","heatsink_weight_g","in_the_box"],"notes":{"series":"The text calls it the 5th generation of Noctua's NH-U12 series.","model_numbers":"Noctua gives no separate model codes. The model names are NH-U12A and NH-U12A chromax.black.","gtins":"EAN barcode 9010018000160 for the NH-U12A. The chromax.black EAN is on its own page.","variants":"The brown NH-U12A and the black chromax.black have the same heatsink size, weight and fan figures in the spec table. The chromax.black fans are the NF-A12x25 PWM chromax.black, with the same figures.","status":"23 in stock for the NH-U12A and 51 in stock for the chromax.black on the access date.","cpu_cooler":"Air cooler: a heatsink with two fans.","air_cooler_layout":"Single tower with an asymmetric design.","base_material":"Material: copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints and nickel plating. APH Networks, EnosTech and Tech4Gamers state that the base itself is nickel plated.","thermal_paste":"Scope of delivery: NT-H1 thermal compound, a tube in the box.","sockets":"Spec table: Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156 and AMD AM5, AM4. LGA2011 and LGA2066 appear in older copies of the table (APH Networks) and in the RAM text, but not in this table, so they are not stored. LGA1954 comes from the Club386 source.","heatpipe_count":"The text says seven heatpipes.","fans":"2x Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM, SSO2 bearing, 2000 RPM max (+/-10%), 1700 RPM with the L.N.A., 450 RPM min (PWM, +/-20%), 22.6 dB(A) max, 18.8 dB(A) with the L.N.A. This page prints 60.0 CFM, but Noctua's own table gives 102.1 m3/h (APH Networks copy), which converts to 60.1 CFM with 0.5886, so 60.1 is stored. Static pressure is not on this page, see EnosTech. The max values are for one fan without the L.N.A.","rgb_lighting":"Spec table: RGB No.","display_type":"The spec table lists no screen or lighting.","dimensions_mm":"With fans: height 158 mm, width 125 mm, depth 112 mm.","heatsink_dimensions_mm":"Without fan: height 158 mm, width 125 mm, depth 58 mm.","weight_g":"1220 g with fans.","heatsink_weight_g":"760 g without fans.","in_the_box":"Scope of delivery of the NH-U12A. The page also says the mounting kit is SecuFirm2. The page text says a 100% RAM fit on LGA115x and AM4, and that on LGA2066 the rear fan overhangs the RAM slots, with modules up to 42 mm fitting. No RAM height is given for AM5, LGA1700 or LGA1851, so ram_clearance_mm is left out."}},{"url":"https://www.quietpc.com/nh-u12a-ch-bk","kind":"retailer","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["gtins","variants","colors","in_the_box"],"notes":{"gtins":"EAN barcode 9010018000245 for the NH-U12A chromax.black.","variants":"Same spec table as the brown model, with the fans named 2x Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM chromax.black.","colors":"The text calls it an all-black version, with a black coated heatsink, black fans, black fan clips and black mounting parts.","in_the_box":"The page's scope of delivery is the same as for the brown model. The black items are named in the APH Networks list."}},{"url":"https://www.guru3d.com/story/noctua-launches-nh-u12a-premium-class-120mm-cpu-cooler","kind":"press","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["release_date","announce_date","launch_price_usd","launch_price_eur","warranty_years","heatpipe_count"],"notes":{"release_date":"Story of 2019-03-19, the day Noctua presented the NH-U12A. It does not give a shipping date.","announce_date":"Noctua presented the NH-U12A on 2019-03-19.","launch_price_usd":"Suggested retail price listed as EUR/USD 99.90. Tax treatment is not stated.","launch_price_eur":"Suggested retail price listed as EUR/USD 99.90, the same number for both currencies. Whether VAT is included is not stated.","warranty_years":"The story names a 6-year manufacturer's warranty. The page names no market. A retailer table prints 60 months, but the maker's text and the other sources say six years.","heatpipe_count":"Seven heatpipes in a redesigned layout."}},{"url":"https://www.guru3d.com/story/noctua-offers-chromax-line-nf-a12x25-fannh-u12a-cooler-and-heatsink-covers/","kind":"press","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["variants","launch_price_usd","launch_price_eur"],"notes":{"variants":"Story of 2021-10-12: the NH-U12A chromax.black keeps the NH-U12A design and the NF-A12x25 PWM fans.","launch_price_usd":"Suggested retail price table: NH-U12A chromax.black 119.90, listed as EUR/USD. The chromax.black is stored in its variant row.","launch_price_eur":"The same 119.90 EUR/USD for the chromax.black. Whether VAT is included is not stated."}},{"url":"https://aphnetworks.com/reviews/noctua-nh-u12a-chromax-black","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["warranty_years","in_the_box","fans","dimensions_mm","weight_g"],"notes":{"warranty_years":"Spec list copied from the maker's website: Warranty 6 Years.","in_the_box":"Scope of delivery of the chromax.black: black NH-U12A heatsink, 2x NF-A12x25 PWM chromax.black premium fan, 2x NA-RC14 Low-Noise Adaptor, NA-YC1 4-pin PWM y-cable, NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound, black SecuFirm2 mounting kit and Noctua Metal Case-Badge. Used for the chromax.black row.","fans":"Fan list: NF-A12x25 PWM chromax.black, SSO2, 2000 RPM, 450 RPM min, 102.1 m3/h, 22.6 dB(A), 12 V.","dimensions_mm":"158 x 125 x 112 mm with fans, 125 x 158 x 58 mm without.","weight_g":"1220 g with fans, 760 g without."}},{"url":"https://aphnetworks.com/reviews/noctua-nh-u12a-chromax-black/3","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["measured_thermal_tests","usb_header_required"],"notes":{"usb_header_required":"The fans were connected to the motherboard 4-pin CPU fan header. No USB cable or software is mentioned for the cooler.","measured_thermal_tests":"APH Networks review of the chromax.black. AMD Ryzen 7 3700X on an ASUS Prime X470-Pro in a Thermaltake Core P6 TG Snow, room temperature about 22 C, the stock thermal paste of each cooler, fans on the motherboard's 4-pin CPU fan header. Prime95 in-place large FFTs with the maximum number of worker threads for at least ten minutes or until stable. Temperatures are the maximum core value in HWiNFO. With both fans the maximum was 61 C and with one fan 64 C. CPU power and noise are not published (noise is a 0 to 10 rating). The reviewer says the chromax.black and the NH-U12A idle at nearly the same temperature."}},{"url":"https://aphnetworks.com/reviews/noctua-nh-u12a-chromax-black/2","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["base_material","direct_contact_heatpipes"],"notes":{"base_material":"The base is electroplated with nickel over copper for a silver finish. The heatpipes are soldered to the fins and the joints at the base are soldered.","direct_contact_heatpipes":"The base is a separate plated copper plate with soldered joints. No direct-touch pipes are described."}},{"url":"https://www.enostech.com/noctua-nh-u12a-chromax-black-and-chromax-covers-review/","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["fans","base_material","heatpipe_count","heatpipe_diameter_mm"],"notes":{"fans":"Review of 2021-11-01: NF-A12x25 PWM fans with 2000 +/-10% RPM, 1700 RPM with the L.N.A., 450 RPM minimum, maximum static pressure 2.34 mmH2O (1.65 with the L.N.A.), 102.1 m3/h, 22.6 dBA, SSO2 bearing, 4-pin PWM connector.","base_material":"The complete assembly is nickel plated. The base is a mirror-finish nickel-plated copper plate of 43.5 x 43.5 mm.","heatpipe_count":"7 copper heat pipes and 50 aluminium fins.","heatpipe_diameter_mm":"7x 6 mm copper heat pipes."}},{"url":"https://tech4gamers.com/noctua-nh-u12a-review/","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["heatpipe_diameter_mm","direct_contact_heatpipes","base_material"],"notes":{"heatpipe_diameter_mm":"Seven 6 mm nickel-plated heat pipes, black coated on the chromax.black.","direct_contact_heatpipes":"The copper cold plate is in indirect contact with the heat pipes. No thermal paste is pre-applied.","base_material":"The nickel-coated copper cold plate has a glossy mirror finish and measures about 43.5 x 43.5 mm."}},{"url":"https://www.club386.com/?p=125126","kind":"press","accessed":"2026-10-15","fields":["sockets"],"notes":{"sockets":"Article of 2025-11-27 quoting Noctua's FAQ: all Noctua CPU coolers compatible with LGA1700 and LGA1851 also support Intel's LGA1954, and no additional mounting parts are needed. The NH-U12A is listed for LGA1851 and LGA1700, so LGA1954 is stored."}},{"url":"https://noctua.at/en/nh-u12a","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. Spec values come from retailer copies of the Noctua spec table, press coverage of the launch and reviews."}}],"fields_filled":29,"updated":"2026-10-16"},"meta":{"api_version":"1","docs":"https://arkivo.dev/api"}}