INTRODUCTION

   For good or bad Summer is finally here which would explain why all of our 4 test rigs have begun heating up a lot more during these past few days as would the fact that i can't seem to be able to stay in front of our 800W photo bench for more than 20 minutes at a time. So since we all know how important a good CPU cooler is especially during the Summer period we announced that we will be doing a very cool giveaway with our friends over at Noctua tomorrow with 3 of their latest cooling solutions up for grabs. Because of that however we also feel that you need to know what it is that we will be giving away so for the past 3 days we've been putting the latest NH-U12S and NH-U14S CPU Air Coolers through rigorous testing with impressive results especially for two single fan solutions.

   Designed in Austria, Noctua's premium cooling components are internationally renowned for their superb quietness, exceptional performance and thoroughgoing quality. Having received more than 1000 awards and recommendations from leading hardware websites and magazines, Noctua's fans and heatsinks are chosen by more than a hundred thousand satisfied customers around the globe. Noctua comes from a cooperation of the Austrian Rascom Computerdistribution Ges.m.b.H. with the Taiwanese cooling specialist Kolink International Corporation, pooling more than ten years of experience in the development, manufacturing and marketing of high-end cooling components. Established in 2005, Noctua took the international silent enthusiasts' hearts by storm and quickly developed into one of the most acclaimed suppliers of premium quality quiet cooling products. Today, Noctua is present in more than 30 countries across the globe and working with several hundred sales partners. Chosen by noise conscious PC users, system integrators and industry clients alike, Noctua has become synonymous with impeccable quality, excellent customer service and class leading quiet cooling performance.

   It's been a while since Noctua last released a CPU Air Cooler aimed towards enthusiasts, overclockers and hardcore gamers so you can imagine how surprised we were when they announced not one but two models (which is good since our LGA2011 test bench welcomed both the NH-U12S and the NH-U14S with open arms). Noctua however designed both coolers primarily with one thing in mind and that's zero clearance issues with RAM modules (much like the NiC series by Thermaltake and the Archon series by Thermalright) something with which the award winning and quite massive NH-D14 is not very good at. Of course both cooler are also dual fan capable meaning you can use two fans in push and pull configuration, come with 6 years warranty, are compatible with pretty much every socket out there (future and past ones as well since Noctua offers mounting kits for no charge) and also feature Noctua’s SecuFirm2 mounting bracket for easy and sturdy installation. But the real question is just how well they perform against their immediate competition and that's what we are here to find out.