Noctua NH-U12P: Top Performance AND Silence
by Wesley Fink on March 20, 2008 8:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Overclocking and Performance Scaling
With outstanding performance at stock speed, we pushed the Noctua NH-U12P in our performance scaling tests to see if this air-cooler delivers similarly impressive performance when pushed hard in overclocking. As cooling solutions do a better job of keeping the CPU at a lower temperature, it is reasonable to expect the overclocking capabilities of the CPU will increase. In each test of a cooler, we measure the highest stable overclock of a standard X6800 processor under the following conditions:
CPU
Multiplier: 11x (Stock 11x)
CPU Strap: 266 (stock) or 333 (overclocked)
CPU voltage: 1.5875V at max overclock
NB Voltage: 1.70V
FSB Voltage: 1.40V
SB Voltage: 1.20V
Memory is set to Auto timings on the P35. This removes memory as any kind of impediment to the maximum stable overclock. As FSB is raised the linked memory speed increases in proportion. For this reason, we maintain memory speed as close as possible to CPU strap settings to prevent memory becoming an issue in CPU testing. This means 3.33GHz uses a 333 strap and runs 10x333, 3.73GHz uses a 333 strap and runs 11x339, and 3.90GHz is a 333 strap and 354x11. The stock speed test is a 266 strap and 11x266. We may move in the future to a 3.0GHz stock speed with a 333 strap and 9x333 settings for complete consistency, but since we are not measuring raw computer performance in our cooling benchmarking this becomes a moot point. The same processor is used in all cooling tests to ensure comparable results.
The stock single-fan Noctua reaches 3.91GHz in our overclocking tests, a result exceeded only by our top Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme. Even more impressive is the performance achieved when we use two NF-12P fans in a push-pull arrangement, with a top overclock of 3.94GHz. This matches the Thermalright Ultra120 eXtreme as the best air-cooler ever tested at AnandTech.
This superb overclocking performance combines with silent operation, with noise floors below our quiet system level. Noctua appears to have developed a cooler that combines top performance with incredibly low system noise. With the Noctua kit and the NF-P12 fan, you no longer have to choose between top performance or lowest noise. The NH-U12P can give you both - even if you add a second NF-12P fan in push-pull for ultimate cooling.
Performance Scaling
Performance scaling charts for the Noctua NH-U12P use a scale with zero on the bottom and 75C on the top. Keep in mind that the lower line is the best performance in this presentation of the data - lower temperatures represent better performance.
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The NH-U12P performance scaling at idle is impressive. It is all but a mirror image of the superb Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme running a Scythe S-FLEX fan. When we add a second NF-P12 fan in a push-pull setup, the Noctua is in a class by itself. Temperatures drop another 3C or so and the performance curve is all but flat from 3.73GHz to the top speed of 3.94GHz. If you recall from past test results, a flat curve (shallower slope) indicates a cooler is still in its effective cooling range.
Next, we compare cooling efficiency of the Noctua NH-U12P under load conditions to the retail HSF and other recently retested CPU coolers. Load testing can be very revealing of a cooler's efficiency. Again, we like to see a relatively flat line, which often means we are at the limits of our CPU rather than the coolers. A line with a steep slope indicates a cooler is nearing the end of its ability to cool effectively.
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Under load test conditions, the stock NH-U12P again matches the top Thermalright. The single-fan NH-U12P tops out at 3.91GHz while the Ultra-120 eXtreme continues on to 3.94GHz. Temperatures under load at tested speeds are all but the same in faster speeds, while at lower speeds the NH-U12P is actually a bit better performer. These results are very impressive.
Adding a second fan in push-pull again creates a new performance class with the Noctua NH-U12P. Cooling on average is 2C to 3C better than our previous top performer. That may sound like a small amount, but in cooling this difference is significant. With two fans, the Noctua extends to 3.94GHz and sets a new record for best cooling performance at the highest speed we have been able to achieve in air-cooling with this CPU.
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7Enigma - Wednesday, April 9, 2008 - link
ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm 2-ball UFO Bearing / Transparent CPU Cooler - Retail ($36.00 after rebate)With the $10 rebate its the same price as the Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...
coolsmith - Thursday, March 27, 2008 - link
Just to complement my previous post on this fanI should have mentioned that I found leaving the speed setting to
medium gave the best result for noise verse speed.
This fan does cost a little bit more than the others but it should
last a lot longer.
coolsmith - Thursday, March 27, 2008 - link
I installed one as a rear case fan and I'd have to say they are indeedquiet and do a good job.
But I'd have to agree with most the color is a bit of a turn off, but
since mine is inside the case a really don't mind.
A well built fan but crappy color .
If they were to change the color they would probably sell alot
more of them, for sure.
7Enigma - Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - link
I have a bit of a problem with the review and conclusion. This heatsink/fan looks to be good, the problem is it seems to be just as good as the:Nirvana, Ultra 120, Infinity, Ninja, Ultima90, Tuniq Tower
all of which are less expensive. By using these "real world results" the test fails to really tell us what is different about the new design of the fan!
I want to know that at 1/4, 1/2, or full voltage this fan either:
a. is quieter (better design/aerodynamics)
b. pushes more air (more efficient/ better design)
It's great to show in your testbed that it works !great!, the problem is its not really that helpful to a potential buyer wondering WHY its so great.
During video card reviews this site constantly takes heat from the H-site (we'll remain nameless :) ), on your reviews not being "real-world", and I've always sided with you guys because you are scientifically limiting your variables to give a good indictation of which card is better. But now I feel these heatsink/fan reviews are somewhat falling into the same trap of that other site in providing data points that are not accurate; just rather you can say that the Noctua, Alpine, Freezer 7, Nirvana, Ultra 120 Extreme, Ultima90, and Kama Cross are all below your artificial noise floor. It's the equivalent of testing all of the new video cards at 1024X768 resolution with a 60fps framerate cap in Quake3, they are all going to look like winners!
What a competent review needs to aim for is removing all variable outside of what is being tested. When your testing video cards, make sure the cpu isn't the bottleneck, when your measuring hard drives, make sure you don't have a mobo/driver issue, and when your measuring heatsinks and fans, make sure that if your not actually checking their stated cfm's for accuracy, at least you are measuring the noise level of the fan.
My case sits under my desk doing its thing out of sight. If I'm going to throw down $20 for a FAN, a freaking FAN man!, I want to know those pretty shaped blades are actually doing something measurably different and beneficial than a $5-10 one.
Wesley Fink - Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - link
Our noise floor is limited by the Power Supply, which was selected because it is one of the quietest variable fan speed models we could find. That noise level is equivalent to a suburban bedroom at night as pointed out in every recent review. Real world is NOT running a power supply in one room so you can measure noise levels lower than you will ever see in a real system limited by power supply noise. If you want those measurements there are websites devoted to those esoteric numbers and you can find what you seek.For our part we did measure the single fan at high speed and the cululative two fans at highest speed in a system with a quiet variable speed power supply and a fanless video card. Both measurements were below our noise floor. All lower speeds with the shunts will be below that and are not measurable in our system.
The sad fact about the current low noise obsession is that readers see so many low numbers they have lost perspective on what the numbers actually mean. Those screaming for measurements of 10 to 20 dbA should Google a few articles on noise measurement to see what those numbers actually measure and the laboratory needed to accurately measure those low noise levels.
130 dBA Loud hand clapping at 1 m distance (maximum level)
120 dBA Whistle at 1 m distance, test run of a jet at 15 m distance
Threshold of pain, above this fast-acting hearing damage in short action is possible
115 dBA Take-off sound of planes at 10 m distance
110 dBA Siren at 10 m distance, frequent sound level in discotheques and close
to loudspeakers at rock concerts, violin close to the ear of an orchestra
musicians (maximum level)
105 dBA Chain saw at 1 m distance, banging car door at 1 m distance (maximum level),
racing car at 40 m distance, possible level with music head phones
100 dBA Frequent level with music via head phones, jack hammer at 10 m distance
95 dBA Loud crying, hand circular saw at 1 m distance
90 dBA Angle grinder outside at 1 m distance
Over a duration of 40 hours a week hearing damage is possible
85 dBA 2-stroke chain-saw at 10 m distance, loud WC flush at 1 m distance
80 dBA Very loud traffic noise of passing lorries at 7.5 m distance,
high traffic on an expressway at 25 m distance
75 dBA Passing car at 7.5 m distance, un-silenced wood shredder at 10 m distance
70 Small car at 30 mph; 3 meters from a vacuum cleaner.
65 1 meter from normal conversation. Busy office. About half the people in a large sample will have difficulty sleeping.
55 Recommended upper limit for large open offices, restaurants, gymnasiums, swimming pools.
45 Recommended upper limit for homes, hotels, laboratories, libraries, private offices, court rooms.
40 Quiet office. Recommended upper limit for classrooms, churches, motion picture theaters (without the film soundtrack).
35 Quiet bedroom.
25 Countryside on windless day, away from traffic. Sound of breathing at 1m distance.
7Enigma - Wednesday, April 9, 2008 - link
So then please tell me how this fan is better than any $5 fan? If it doesn't matter if its below the noise floor, I don't know how you can come to the conclusion that its a good product? To me if it performs the same as a $5 fan its overpriced right?marine73 - Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - link
For those howling for readings in the 10-20dB range the world must be an incredibly noisy place. Ants on the sidewalk sounding like stormtroopers, ducks on a pond sounding like top fuel hydros...not sure how they can even enter a room with a PC running.vajm1234 - Sunday, March 23, 2008 - link
is there ny possibility of reviewin the new scythe zipang n all.Thorsson - Saturday, March 22, 2008 - link
The fan shown in the picture on the Installation page doesn't look like the new one to me...Wesley Fink - Sunday, March 23, 2008 - link
They are both the new fans. Due to the curvature and sweep of the blades it is more difficult to distinguish the notches from the front view. That is why all the "notch" pictures are from the rear of the fan.