Continuing the legacy of Noctua’s classic NH-U-series, the NH-U12S has become a benchmark for slim, highly compatible 120mm single tower coolers. The SE-AM4 version is a dedicated special edition for AMD’s AM4 (Ryzen) platform, featuring the latest SecuFirm2 mounting system for AM4. Topped off with the renowned quiet NF-F12 PWM 120mm fan, and Noctua’s proven NT-H1 thermal compound, the NH-U12S SE-AM4 forms a complete premium-quality solution that combines outstanding performance, superb acoustics and excellent compatibility for AM4 systems.
Classic 120mm tower size for excellent overall compatibility
Standing 158mm tall, the NH-U12S is short enough to fit most modern mid- or high-end tower cases. Measuring 125mm wide (including fan and fan clips), the cooler stays clear of the top PCIe slot on standard ATX or Micro-ATX motherboards, ensuring best compatibility with SLI and CrossFire setups.
100% RAM compatibility
Thanks to its slim design with only 45mm fin depth, the NH-U12S will not overhang the RAM slots even with two fans installed. This gives the user full access to the memory modules on all current CPU sockets and ensures 100% compatibility with tall heatspreaders or optional memory fans.
SecuFirm2 mounting system for AM4
Noctua’s SecuFirm2 mounting systems have become synonymous with quality, safety and ease of use. In order to achieve the best compatibility and to match the airflow path inside the case, the SecuFirm2 mounting for AM4 makes it possible to install the cooler either in standard orientation or turned by 90°.
NF-F12 120mm Focused Flow fan
Recommended by more than 150 hardware publications and thousands of enthusiasts world-wide, the Noctua's premium quality NF-F12 Focused Flow 120mm fan is renowned to combine superb static pressure, excellent heatsink performance and surprising quietness of operation.
Cooler Specification
Socket compatibility
Only AMD AM4 mounting hardware is included in this package. The cooler is compatible with some other sockets with the purchase of additional mounting hardware. See table below for full compatibility.
Scope of delivery
- NF-F12 PWM premium fan
- Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.)
- NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound
- SecuFirm2 AM4 mounting-kit
- Anti-vibration pads and fan-clips for second NF-F12
- Noctua metal case-badge
Measurements
- Height (without fan): 158 mm
- Width (without fan): 125 mm
- Depth (without fan): 45 mm
- Height (with fan): 158 mm
- Width (with fan): 125 mm
- Depth (with fan): 71 mm
- Weight (without fan): 580 g
- Weight (with fan/s): 755 g
Materials
Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating.
Dedicated special edition for AM4 (Ryzen)
Please note that being a dedicated special edition for AM4, the NH-U12S SE-AM4 comes with AM4 mounting hardware only. (For full socket compatibility, see table below).
 NH-U12S |
 NH-U12S TR4-SP3 |
 NH-U12S SE-AM4 |
 NH-U12S DX-3647 |
 NH-U12S chromax.black |
 NH-U12A |
|
| LGA2066 | ✓ | X | with NM-I2011 | X | ✓ | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LGA2011-0 & LGA2011-3 | ✓ | X | with NM-I2011* | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| LGA115x (LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156) | ✓ | X | with NM-i115x* | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| LGA1366 | with NM-I3 | X | with NM-I3 | X | with NM-I3 | with NM-I3 |
| LGA775 | with NM-I3 | X | with NM-I3 | X | with NM-I3 | with NM-I3 |
| Xeon LGA2011 Narrow ILM / Xeon LGA1366 & LGA1356 | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Xeon LGA3647 | X | X | X | ✓ | X | X |
| AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1, FM2 (+) | ✓ | X | X | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| AM4 | ✓ | X | ✓ | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| TR4 & SP3 | X | ✓ | X | X | X | X |
Pros: Install was easy. Directions were easy to understand. Keeps cpu cool.
Cons: Wasn't free?
Overall Review: So, I got my father this cooler because he doesn't overclock, and with his new 1800x it should be more then enough. And it was. So far, the highest temps he has gotten is 64c, but according to AMD, you have to play math games and drop the temps 20c to get the real "chip temp." So in actuality the chip is running 44c which is still pretty darn good considering that is full load. Idle it rests at 48c which is technically 28c which matches considering our inside temps are about 22c. The air blowing out of the case is on the cold side of warm meaning it isn't actually at 64c which mean AMD is correct and you have to play stupid math games to get the real temps (only the 1800x and 1700x you have to do this 20c deduction, the 1700 for some reason reads the correct number. info can be found from AMD or their reddit.)