Test System
Intel 3960x
Rampage IV Extreme
16GB G.Skill
CoolerMaster Haf X
Corsair Ax1200 PSU
Now I know most people are going to say, why are you testing a low profile heatsink on such a high end processor. Well the reason is simple, Most reviews won’t. I had this test system already setup and it was easier to test it on it but also because I was interested to see if this heatsink could handle the heat from the 3960x.
I just wanted to point out before hand that installation was extremely easy and you simply connect these brackets to the motherboard either with or without a backplate depending on the socket connection you are using. Since we are testing this on Socket 2011 that means the retention plate is already in place and screwing in 4 screws into the motherboard and then the brackets and 4 screws to secure them in place. The heatsink has two screws on it for securing the heatsink to the brackets. The design is pretty much like all other Noctua heatsinks.
The heatsink is now in and the computer is ready to be booted up and run the heatsink through some tests. The test simply invovles using the CPU at stock and running it through Prime95 on a maximum heat test to really stress the CPU.
Prime95
There wasn’t much to be expected here other than very high temps. The Noctua NH-L12 is actually a little shocker and packs an even bigger punch than expected.
[easychart type=”horizbar” height=”100″ title=”Results(Lower is better)” groupnames=”Actual Temperature, Ambient Temperature, Delta Temperature ” groupcolors=”00CC00,0070C0,A3A3A3″ valuenames=”Noctua NH-L12, Noctua NH-D14, Corsair H100″ group1values=”72.6,59.2,60.1″ group2values=”20.4,19.4,18.6″ group3values=”52.2,39.8,41.5″]
The results were taken after 30 minutes of using Prime95 and the results do show that the Noctua NH-12 is quite the little shocker. Check out the next page for the conclusion.
