NH-L12S

Name: Noctua NH-L12S
Brand: Noctua
Rating: 84 (5 reviews)

Released Jun 1, 2017 · Analysis updated Mar 30, 2026

Low-profile CPU cooler offering quiet operation, excellent thermal performance, and easy installation with flexible fan mounting. The Noctua NH-L12S scores 84/100 based on 5 expert reviews in the cpu coolers category. Coverage includes reviews from Thegamingstuff, Lazer3d, Lanoc, and Modders-inc.

Critic Score

What's this?

based on 5 expert reviews

ThegamingstuffLazer3dLanocModders-incPcgamer

Low confidence · only 5 reviews

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Pros

Quiet operation(5)
Excellent thermal performance(4)
Easy installation(3)

Cons

Limited motherboard io clearance(2)

5 Expert Reviews

Independent publication08/2024

Independent publicationAug 30, 2024

The Noctua NH-L12Sx77 is a much-needed revision for SFFPC enthusiasts, offering improved cooling performance and compatibility with modern components.

Independent publication11/2017

Independent publicationNov 17, 2017

The Noctua NH-L12S offers improved cooling over its predecessor while maintaining quiet operation, making it the top choice for compact builds.

Independent publication06/2017

Independent publicationJun 27, 2017

The Noctua NH-L12S offers excellent cooling performance in a compact 70mm design, outperforming similar-sized coolers while maintaining quiet operation.

Independent publication03/2023

Independent publicationMar 31, 2023

The Noctua NH-L12S offers excellent cooling performance and near-silent operation, making it a worthwhile upgrade for home theater PCs despite only modest temperature improvements over stock coolers.

Major publication02/2025

Major publicationFeb 4, 2025

A top-notch air cooler that can happily deal with a low-wattage gaming processor with low noise and low temperatures.