Introduction

Noctua is a brand name for a three companies working together one which was established in 1996 a Korean cooling specialist Kolink Int. Corp. and an Austrian Institute for Heat Transmission and Fan Technology, established in 2004, and also a distribution company Rascom. So this proves that Noctua are very new in this market, but the experience behind these companies could work to their advantage.

Since Noctua are new, their range of products are limited at the moment to heatsinks and fans, but they put all the effort in to consumer needs as their mission statement suggests...

"These connections form the key to the achievement of our goal: The partnership with the ÖIWV permits the application of scientific measurement instrumentation, methods of calculation and simulation technology in the R&D process. Rascom's long, customer-oriented experience in developing and distributing sound-optimised high-end products ensures a clear focus on the users' needs. The use of Kolink's advanced manufacturing technology and ultra-modern production plants allows us to efficiently implement our technical edge and provide solutions of the highest standard in quality and performance."

With thanks to Noctua, we have great chance to review their towering CPU cooling product the NH-U12F along with two of their 120mm sound optimised fans the NF-S12-800 and NF-S12-1200 and as their website suggests:

"The NH-U12F is the newest version of the NH-U12, which won over 100 awards and recommendations from leading international web sites and magazines. The NH-U12F can be rotated by 90° on all sockets, boasts full compatibility with AMD's new AM2 socket and comes equipped with a Noctua NF-S12 120mm fan, which has a minimum noise rating of only 8dB(A). Thanks to the 4 Dual-Heat-Pipes, 38 aluminium cooling fins with a total surface area of more than 5000cm² and soldered joints for optimal heat-transfer, the Noctua NH-U12F achieves superior cooling performance at minimum noise levels."

The Noctua NH-U12F is compatible with a majority of CPU socket fittings including the latest Intel 775 and AMD AM2 because it comes with a number of mounting sets which are LGA775, AMD AM2, 754/939/940.

And in the tradition of enthusiasts especially those into mods, the NH-U12F allows the user some modification freedom in terms of choice of replacement fan:

"Screwless fan-mount including anti-vibration strips
Attaching the fan with the steel clips is a child's play and doesn't even require a screwdriver. The supplied anti-vibration strips minimize vibrations transmitted to the cooler and hence allows for extra quietness.."

Will the R&D into cooling technology of the NH-U12F out perform all the previous coolers that we've tested, well lets not waste time and see...