INTRODUCTION

   Ever since Noctua made its first steps roughly 17 years ago their fans have made history, not only because of their airflow and air pressure performance but also due to their durability and low noise levels. One thing that not everyone out there did agree with however was the two-shade brown colour scheme Noctua used and so back in 2014 they decided to cover more people by starting to introduce new models and colors starting with the Redux line consisting by fans painted with a light/dark grey colour scheme. Personally, i can't say that i liked the color scheme of the Redux line that much as i did the original but they did reach high popularity numbers which is why it didn't really come as a surprise when a few months back Noctua announced a Redux version of their very popular NH-U12S CPU cooler released back in 2013.

   Designed in Austria, Noctua’s premium cooling components are internationally renowned for their superb quietness, exceptional performance and thoroughgoing quality. Having received more than 6000 awards and recommendations from leading hardware websites and magazines, Noctua’s fans and heatsinks are serving hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers around the globe.

   When i first learned that Noctua was planning to release a Redux version of their NH-U12S CPU cooler i honestly thought that the sole thing that would change would be the fan model, i was wrong. You see the Redux fans weren't developed just to introduce a new color scheme, they were also slightly toned-down (in terms of bundle and of course price) variants of the regular two-shade brown fans Noctua had in the market so obviously when they decided to release a Redux version of their NH-U12S CPU cooler they also had to "trim" down the original. Fortunately, both the number of aluminum fins (50) and the size of the cooler remains the same, what does change is the number of nickel plated copper heatpipes which in this case is 4 instead of 5 and its bundle. To somehow balance things (in terms of cooling efficiency) Noctua paired the new NH-U12S Redux with a faster 120mm fan and more specifically the NF-P12 Redux model (1700RPM/70.74CFM/25.1dBA) which is clearly a step up from the NF-F12 fan (1500RPM/55CFM/22.4dBA) used with both the original and the chromax.black NH-U12S models. So, let's see just how well the new NH-U12S Redux performs and whether or not you should consider it for your current or next PC.

SPECIFICATIONS AN FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Noctua uses a grey box to ship the NH-U12S Redux inside.

The product specifications are listed on the right side whereas on the left we find a few words about the product itself.

At the rear Noctua has printed details of the main product features.

Once again Noctua has used cardboard to keep the bundle secure.

Even though the bundle is considerably less than what you'd get with the regular NH-U12S and/or the chromax.black version you're still getting the installation instructions and all the necessary mounting hardware to install the cooler on Intel LGA 1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/2011/2011-3/2066 and AMD AM4 motherboards.

THE NH-U12S REDUX

Measuring 158mm in height, 125mm in width and 71mm in depth with a weight of 755g (fan included) the NH-U12S Redux looks identical to its predecessors.

The hole at the top is used to make installation easier but unfortunately Noctua doesn't bundle their long screwdriver with the Redux version.

The heatsink of the NH-U12S once again features a grant total of 50 aluminum fins.

All of the fins are bend on both sides to keep as much air as possible coming from the fan from leaking left and right.

This time over Noctua has used an NF-P12 Redux fan model (1700RPM/70.74CFM/25.1dBA).

Noctua also send over the NA-FK1 kit which includes a 2nd NF-P12 Redux fan (for dual-fan tests).

The sole difference between the NH-U12S and the Redux version is number of 6mm thick heatpipes which this time over are four instead of 5.

A thin layer of NT-H1 thermal paste is pre-applied on the base of the NH-U12S Redux.

Of course, i always remove the stock paste to check the base which in this case almost has a mirror-like finish.

With the 2nd fan attached in push & pull the width of the NH-U12S Redux increases to roughly 100mm.

TEST BED

TESTING METHODOLOGY

    We always take things quite seriously when it comes to work so just like with the previous LGA1366 database we will not be testing each CPU Cooler on its own and with different ambient temperature levels and thus we can actually have yet another valid CPU Cooler database. Testing a CPU Cooler automatically means that you need to know where it stands against the immediate competition and to accomplish that we have spent both money and time through the years, something that we plan to continue to do so in order to get the most accurate results for the end consumers who read these lines. Every CPU cooler in this database is tested with the bundled 140mm/120mm/92mm/80mm fans while working at both idle speed and 100% of their speeds for all the temperature tests. CPU Coolers that do not come bundled with a fan/s are measured using a Noctua fan (size dependent on the model) to test for the temperature tests but due to the lack of a stock fan dBA level tests are obviously skipped. Single (120/140mm) watercooling solutions are tested with the radiator mounted at the rear of our test rig while dual/triple/quad (240/260/280/360/420/480/560mm) solutions with the radiator mounted at the top. For the dBA tests every cooler in the database was measured both while on idle mode or with the fan controller in the minimum setting and while on extreme load or with the fan controller all the way to the highest possible setting (PWM fans do that on their own without our intervention). Every single test takes place in a temperature controlled room of 23 degrees Celsius Ambient Temp with the help of two AC units placed diagonally inside the room. The Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste is used with every CPU Cooler in our latest LGA2011 database (although initially this was not the plan, we had to change things to get the most accurate results). Finally, it's very important to point out that just because a CPU Cooler is better than another when tested with our test rig that does not necessarily mean that the same performance differences will apply 100% for other CPU models and in other situations (such as different ambient temps and system configurations).

    To successfully record the load temperatures, we use the latest OCCT application for around 6-10 minutes to push the processor to its limits and after that is done and the temperatures are recorded, we wait for about 10-20 minutes for the CPU to cool down and record the idle temperatures. This is done to allow time for the thermal conductive material to achieve the optimal performance level. Same procedure is then repeated with the Passmark BurnIn Test as a failsafe just in case the OCCT results are wrong. This procedure is more time consuming than the usual peltier/thermometer tests but this way not only can we deliver real world results to our readers based on real CPUs but we can also triple check the results using a variety of programs. Last but not least the temperatures were recorded using both the latest versions of AIDA64 and RealTemp while the noise level tests are performed using a high precision ExTech HD600 Decibel Meter placed about 10-15cm above the CPU Cooler. Still although the same testing procedure applies to all units do take into consideration that unlike the official numbers which are measured in special noise isolated labs with just the fans here, we also have both the rest of the cooler and the rest of the system (although all system fans are turned off when recording noise levels).

TEST RESULTS

CONCLUSION

   Removing a single 6mm nickel plated heatpipe to reduce cost of their new NH-U12 Redux model seems to have been a good choice for Noctua. Yes cooling efficiency even by using a faster RPM fan is not quite on par with the original (or the chromax.black model for that matter) but the difference is far from large and certainly not something most people would notice. On top of that by adding a 2nd fan in push and pull you can close the gap even further although I seriously doubt the extra cost (not to mention size and noise levels) is really justified (always based on the results, plus you could get the chromax.black model for that amount). My sole issue with the NH-U12S Redux is the slimmed down bundle, especially since the thin screwdriver Noctua usually offers simplifies installation of the cooler. Now I do realize Noctua wanted to cut down costs but one of the things I always liked about their products was the rich bundle and this isn’t that.

   Currently the Noctua NH-U12S Redux retails for just USD49.95 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 49Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) a price tag which is actually one of the best selling points of this model (the NA-FK1 addon showcased in this review retails for USD16.95/16.99Euros). Overall, the NH-U12S Redux delivers on most things that matter like cooling efficiency, noise levels, build quality and price which is why it’s another Noctua model that also deserves the Golden Award.

PROS

- Excellent Build Quality
- Size (Zero Interference)
- Very Good Cooling Efficiency (For the Size)
- Dual Fan Solution
- 6 Years Warranty
- Price

CONS

- Limited Bundle (Compared To Other Noctua Models)