Choosing a heatsink to go with a A12x25?

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thesmileyone
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Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:39 am

Choosing a heatsink to go with a A12x25?

Post by thesmileyone » Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:14 am

So I have decided to say bye bye to my D14 heatsink, it is too big, too difficult to work around (I either have to take my motherboard out of the case or take the top of the case off, which is difficult on this case, just to plug in fan cables) and generally I think it is outdated.

I have also decided to use the A12x25 which is supposedly the best fan you can buy for heatsinks.

I don't want to go AIO because of pump noise and long term reliability.

I am thinking of buying a Noctua U14S and using the 120mm fan on it like this:

Image
https://i.postimg.cc/zX0RFq0w/gQoYAr.jpg

I have an NF-S12A PWM exhaust fan, and the top of my case is vented. I will be replacing the case and it will likely be with a non windowed Fractal Define C/S/R5.

My question is, are there any other contenders that are better or have more heatpipes for quieter cooling? And can accomodate big ram sticks?

I will at some point be upgrading again, and will want to use it again, possible either AM4 Zen2 or 9700k.

Currently I am running a 3770k at 4.2ghz, 1.128v, ~76C P95 - because I don't have a fan on the end or middle of my D14.

So U14S vs U12S (this seems to have less heatpipes than its bigger cousin) vs................... either will be using A12x25.

Thanks

thesmileyone
Posts: 76
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:39 am

Re: Choosing a heatsink to go with a A12x25?

Post by thesmileyone » Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:36 am

I like the look of Thermaltake Macho Rev B too, big big but not TOO big and only £35.

thesmileyone
Posts: 76
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:39 am

Re: Choosing a heatsink to go with a A12x25?

Post by thesmileyone » Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:03 am

OK nvm, even just one fan was bugging me, gone back to stock clocks and no fans at all and peaaaaaaaaaaaaace and quiet.

Quit gaming again too, actually taken my 1060 out, gonna sell that, buy a mITX and put everything into a Define Nano S.

I will try that with these noctua PWM's and see if that's too loud for me.

I guess my hearing is just super sensitive. NF-S12A PWM is supposedly a super quiet fan yet I could hear bearing noise from it at the back of the case.

Almost 20mins Small FFT
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lodestar
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Location: UK

Re: Choosing a heatsink to go with a A12x25?

Post by lodestar » Fri Jan 11, 2019 3:05 am

I run the S12A PWM at around 250 rpm when the machine is idling, and I can't hear it. It probably comes down to how low your ambient noise levels are. I also use the NF-P12 PWM which runs a touch slower/quieter. But if I were to buy a new Noctua 120mm now it would be the A12x25.

If it came to non-Noctua options then I might look at a semi-passive fan setup using the Artic fans. I have tried semi-passive, they are great at idle/low system stress. The issue, regardless of make, is that under gaming conditions you can get a constant on/off oscillation as the system heats up, the fans turn on, the system cools down, the fans turn off, the system heats up.... Partly it's because the Arctic fans were turning on at 40% duty cycle, if it had been lower it might have helped. I see that Arctic now a newer range of semi-passive fans such as the P12 PWM. The only issue might be that the 0dB mode is only up to 5% PWM duty cycle, it might be a struggle to get down this low with most BIOS and/or software fan control.

Bearmann
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Location: Memphis TN, USA

Re: Choosing a heatsink to go with a A12x25?

Post by Bearmann » Wed Mar 13, 2019 6:17 am

The 140mm version of the A12x25 was expected to be released at the end of last year, I believe. I assume that it's release is right around the corner.

Threads
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Re: Choosing a heatsink to go with a A12x25?

Post by Threads » Wed Mar 13, 2019 9:06 am

Bearmann wrote:The 140mm version of the A12x25 was expected to be released at the end of last year, I believe. I assume that it's release is right around the corner.
thesmileyone wrote:Had Noctua on email support recently and asked them some questions.
"Is there going to be a 140mm version of the A12x25?"
=> Currently we're aiming for Q1/2020.

"When is the newer updated version of the U14S and U12S shown at the latest EXPO's due out, which IIRC includes the A12x25 as it's fans?"
=> Yes, the next NH-U12 cooler will be coming with the NF-A12x25 PWM fans. Schedule is April 2019.
Next gen NH-U14 cooler is still far away. Probably Q1/2020.
This is good news!
This is the latest ive heard about the 140 mm in another post here at spcr. Seems like A12X25 is better than all/most 140mm fans when factoring in noise vs airflow.

Bearmann
Posts: 67
Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:32 am
Location: Memphis TN, USA

Re: Choosing a heatsink to go with a A12x25?

Post by Bearmann » Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:37 am

Well, I guess I am premature! 1st Quarter 2020 it looks like.

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