INTRODUCTION

    No matter how good AIO liquid CPU coolers are (or how much better they may get in the future) there are certain scenarios they are far from ideal for and well, this is exactly where CPU air coolers come in. Take for example small HTPC cases which hardly have any room for regular tower type CPU air coolers, let alone AIO ones. For that specific scenario top-down CPU air coolers have dominated the market for as far back as I can remember and since some of you asked today with me, I have the two latest such models released by Noctua, the NH-L12Sx77 and the NH-L9x65 chromax.black.

    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.

    Both the NH-L12Sx77 and the NH-L9x65 chromax.black (regular version also available) are top-down (C-type) low-profile CPU air coolers both of which feature a single fan at the top. However, although the NH-L12Sx77 comes ready with an NF-A12x15 PWM 120mm fan (1850RPM / 55.44CFM / 23.9dBA) located beneath its heatsink the NH-L9x65 chromax.black is bundled with NF-A9x14 chromax.black 90mm fan (2500RPM / 33.84CFM / 23.6dBA) placed on top of its heatsink. In terms of height as revealed by their product names both coolers are actually quite similar with the NH-L12Sx77 standing 77mm tall (clearance for up to 56mm tall RAM modules) and the NH-L9x65 chromax.black standing 65mm tall (because of its length/width it doesn't overhand RAM slots). The NH-L12Sx77A consists by a total of 55 aluminum fins, six 6mm copper heatpipes and a copper base whereas the NH-L9x65 chromax.black consists by a total of 50 aluminum fins, four 6mm copper heatpipes (all painted in black matte color) and a copper base. So, let's see just how the two latest low-profile models by Noctua perform.