THE ACCESSORIES
The accessories package can be divided into those used to mount the cooler, those used to mount the fan and finally those used to control fan speed.
The cooler can be installed on all contemporary Intel and AMD platforms (Intel LGA 775, 1156 & 1366. AMD AM2, AM2+ & AM3). For Intel processors the Secufirm2 installation system is provided with the cooler
1. The Secufirm2 installation system for Intel processor
This is one of the best installation system for any CPU cooler. Only Thermalright’s system included with the Venomous-X edges this out. The system is very, very easy to install. It is possible to install the cooler without looking at the manual.
The system consists of a back plate with a rubber inlay for LGA 775 socket processors. 4 bolts are threaded through the plate via the appropriate openings depending on the socket type. Once that is done, 4 plastic spacers are placed over the bolt. The mounting bars are then placed over the bolts and screwed in using the thumb screws. And that is it! The orientation of the mounting bars can be changed if the cooler is to installed parallel to the expansion slots (i.e. fans pointing up and down-wards, rather than forward and backwards)
2. Fan Mounts
The fans are mounted using a set of wire clips and anti-vibration strips. There are two pairs of each for the two fans. The clip system is used by almost all the manufacturers of after market air cooling. This system, however, is different from the one employed on the NH-D14. The fans with the D-14 came with pre-applied clips. They were arguably easier to use especially in tight fit cases.
3. Fan Speed Control Cables
The fans also come with a set of low noise adapters that reduce the rotational velocity of the fan to either 1100 rpm (the black Low Noise Adapter, LNA) or 900 rpm (the blue Ultra Low Noise Adapter, ULNA). With the reduced fan rotation comes reduced noise generation and air flow.
This is certainly a welcome addition and could only have been outdone by providing a dedicated fan controller. That would obviously raise the price of the product.
4. NT-H1 Thermal Paste
The list of accessories will not be complete without provision of a thermal paste. Noctua provides its own premium grade thermal paste in the form of NT-H1. There is enough thermal paste in the tube for several applications. The paste requires no curing time and is electrically “safe” (non-conducting).
5. Odd n Ends
Noctua provides a screw driver and a Noctua badge for the computer case. This is not simply a sticker, but a proper badge. No compromises on presentation folks!
INSTRUCTIONS & ONLINE RESOURCES
Noctua provides separate instructions for Intel and AMD processors in a neat little paper jacket. Both are well illustrated and will help novices and first time installers mount the cooler without problems.
Online resources are also very well done. There is a page for motherboard compatibility (updated to include the most recent boards) as well as a FAQ page detailing use of the cooler in various orientations, use of the provided fans as case fans and problems with extra tall memory sticks.
OFFICIAL SPECS
These are taken from Noctua’s web page for the NH-U12SE2
COOLER INSTALLATION
The cooler, is really, really easy to install. The secufirm2 system makes this possible (on Intel platforms).
Those blessed with a case that has a large enough cut out to access the rear of the CPU socket on the board will find it even easier. It is infinitely better to have one of these than a removable tray these days.
Once the back of the motherboard is accessible the bolts are placed through the mounting holes in the back plate meant for LGA 1366 sockets.
Plastic spacers and mounting bars go in next followed by thumb screws to finish the assembly process of the mounting system
The fastening brackets are screwed onto the cooler which is then installed on the mounting mechanism after applying some thermal paste (pea size in the center) to the processor’s heat spreader.
The heat sink base makes a good solid contact with the processor heat spreader. The impression obtained is actually better than the one that NH-D14 generates!
Once that is done the fans are mounted with the help of wire clips. Anti-vibration strips must be pre-applied to the heat sink before the fans are installed.
The clearance between the board and the lowest heat plate is about 55mm.
Things really could not get any easier. If I was to find one thing that could have been improved for the Special Edition, it would be the fastening mounts. They should be fixed to the cooler rather than being screwed in. This is probably the only thing Noctua over looked when rethinking the NH-U12!
You can find additional information about our hardware review process and ethics policy here.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
