Noctua
Noctua NH-U12S Redux
Bottom line: The Noctua NH-U12S Redux ($59.95 on Amazon as of 2026-11-07 05:22 UTC): 158mm height clears most tower cases; zero RAM slot overhang; main trade-off: single 120mm tower trails dual-tower and 240mm AIO coolers on peak load.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-11-07. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 158mm height clears most tower cases; zero RAM slot overhang
- ✓ NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM fan idles near-silent, ramps only under load
- ✓ NT-H1 paste and SecuFirm2 bracket included, no extra purchase
- ✓ Fits LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA115x, AM5 and AM4 out of the box
Cons
- ✗ Single 120mm tower trails dual-tower and 240mm AIO coolers on peak load
- ✗ Redux line drops the brown-and-beige premium fan trim
- ✗ One fan only; push-pull needs a second NF-P12 bought separately
- ✗ 5 heatpipes may throttle sustained all-core loads on 285K or 9950X class chips
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Noctua NH-U12S Redux using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro cpu coolers & fans category. Noctua's retro cpu coolers & fans lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for retro cpu coolers & fans of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Key Features
- Streamlined, more affordable redux line version of the award-winning NH-U12S heatsink
- Slim 120mm size for excellent case, RAM and PCIe compatibility: fits most tower cases (158mm height), doesn’t overhang the RAM slots, doesn’t block the PCIe on most ATX and Micro-ATX motherboards
- Quiet NF-P12 redux-1700 120mm fan with PWM for automatic speed control: full cooling performance under load, near silent at idle!
- Includes high-end NT-H1 thermal paste and SecuFirm2 mounting system for easy installation on Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA115x and AMD AM5 & AM4
- Renowned Noctua quality at an attractive price, smart choice for Intel Core & Core Ultra (e.g. 285K, 265K, 245K) and AMD Ryzen (e.g. 9950X, 9900X, 9700X, 9600X)
Full Specifications
| Brand | Noctua |
|---|---|
| Model | NH-U12Sredux |
| Voltage | 12 volts |
| Wattage | 1.08 watts |
| Material | Nickel plated Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins) |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Noise Level | 25.1 db |
| Part Number | NH-U12Sredux |
| Material Type | Nickel plated Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins) |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Included Components | x |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Warranty Description | 6 year manufacturer’s warranty |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1700 rpm |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 5.67"L x 4.76"W x 7.95"H |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 09010018000207 |
| Full listing title | Noctua NH-U12S Redux, Quiet High-Performance Single Tower CPU Cooler | 158mm Height, Low-Noise Cooling, 5 Heatpipes, For Intel & AMD, 120mm Fan, 100% RAM Compatibility |
Benchmark data for other processors
Ready to buy?
Noctua NH-U12S Redux, Quiet High-Performance Single Tower CPU Cooler | 158mm Height, Low-Noise Cooling, 5 Heatpipes, For Intel & AMD, 120mm Fan, 100% RAM Compatibility is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-11-07. Price and availability subject to change.
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