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.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Both packages have a single product picture at the front along with the company logo and their main features.

On the right side of the NH-L12Sx77 box we find its main features whereas on the right side of the NH-L9x65 chromax.black we find the specification tables.

Moving on the left side of the NH-L12Sx77 box we find its specification tables and as for the NH-L9x65 chromax.black box we find two if its main features.

At the rear of both boxes, we find a product description.

Noctua has once again used cardboard both for the accessories and cooler boxes.

Both coolers are bundled with a low-noise fan adapter (L.N.A.), NT-H1 thermal paste tube, long and think screwdrivers, Noctua metal case badge, backplate, installation instructions and all the necessary mounting hardware to install the cooler on Intel LGA 1150/1151/1155/1156/1200/1700/1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 motherboards.

THE NH-L12SX77 & NH-L9X65 CHROMAX.BLACK

Although similar in height (77/65mm) with a width and length of 128mm and 131mm respectively the NH-L12Sx77 is much larger compared to the 95x95mm size of the NH-L9x65 chromax.black.

The NF-A12x15 PWM 120mm fan can reach speeds of up to 1850RPM to produce up to 55.44CFM of airflow with up to 23.9dBA of noise. On the other hand, the NF-A9x14 HS-PWM chromax.black 90mm fan can go up to 2500RPM to produce airflow levels of up to 33.84CFM with up to 23.6dBA of noise.

Taking a look from the top we see the 55 aluminum fins of the NH-L12Sx77 and the 50 aluminum fins of the NH-L9x65 chromax.black.

From the sides it's easy to see why the NH-L12Sx77 has 56mm clearance for RAM modules and as for the NH-L9x65 chromax.black it's so small so that's not an issue (zero clearance issues for both).

In the above picture you can see the six 6mm copper nickel plated heatpipes of the NH-L12Sx77 and the four 6mm copper black matte painted heatpipes of the NH-L9x65 chromax.black.

Both coolers feature copper nickel plated bases which are almost identical in size.

Out of the box both the NH-L12Sx77 and the NH-L9x65 chromax.black may not be compatible with my old LGA2011 system but thanks to their NM-i20xx kit this isn't an issue.

TEST BED

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   I always take things quite seriously when it comes to work so just like with the previous LGA1366 and LGA2011 databases every single CPU Cooler in the charts will be tested under the same exact conditions. Testing a CPU Cooler automatically means that you need to know where it stands against the immediate competition and to accomplish that I’ve spent both money and time through the years, something that i honestly 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. Finally, it's very important to point out that just because a CPU Cooler is better than another when tested with a specific system 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 readers get results based on real CPUs, but those results can also be triple checked by using a variety of programs. Last but not least the temperatures were recorded using the latest versions of AIDA64, HWiNFO and HWMonitor 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

    As you can clearly see from the charts even though the NH-L12Sx77 did a good job keeping the 3930k CPU cool even under stress the same didn't really apply for the NH-L9x65 chromax.black. Yes, in a controlled environment with the ambient temperature sitting at 22-23 degrees Celsius it did manage to keep the CPU under 80 degrees but even that isn’t what I’d call an acceptable result, not when newer CPU models can get considerably hotter (although to be 100% fair, this model is not meant for CPUs with a TDP surpassing 100W so do keep that in mind). Needless to say, Noctua stays true to their whisper quiet solutions and so both coolers were very quiet, even when stressed (fans at 100% speed). What stands out most especially with the NH-L9x65 chromax.black (aside its tiny size) is of course build quality (due to its size and design the NH-L12Sx77 may not look as sturdy, although it is) and there Noctua is once again second to none.

    Currently the NH-L12Sx77 CPU cooler retails for USD74.90 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 88.46Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) whereas the NH-L9x65 chromax.black retails for USD99.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 72.94Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de). Strangely enough even though the former costs less on the other side of the Atlantic the latter costs more so price is somewhat of an issue. Cost aside however you just can’t go wrong with any of these two CPU coolers, performance is very good (always for their size), their fans are pretty much inaudible (you can also add a 2^nd fan on the NH-L12Sx77 in push and pull if it fits in your case), both offer zero clearance issues and last but not least build quality is great so the Golden award for both is in order.

PROS

- Excellent Build Quality
- Good Cooling Efficiency (NH-L12Sx77)
- All Black Model (NH-L9x65 chromax.black)
- Low Profile (77mm / 65mm)
- Tiny Size (NH-L9x65 chromax.black)
- Zero Interference (RAM)
- 2 Fans In Push And Pull (NH-L12Sx77)
- Low Noise Levels
- 6 Year Warranty

CONS

- Overall Cooling Efficiency (NH-L9x65 chromax.black)
- Price (For Some)