Just installed a Noctua NH-C12P SE14

[starsky]

I have a Core I7-860, and just tried it for a while with the stock cooler.
Anyway it idled at 45-50c and peaked at 100c (was throttling down speed to keep heat under control).

I just installed the Noctua NHC12P SE14, and I am using the Ultra Low Noise fan adapter that comes with it.
Idles at 28-30c, and under peak 95%+ CPU across all 4 cores using Hand Brake to encode movies, I am stable at 56c.

Installed in a Sonata II, on an Asus P7P55D.

Edit: here are my pics, for those who are interested. http://bluecouch.com.au/?p=133

Cheers,

starsky.

[starsky]

I have Qfan disabled, but I am having trouble getting the fan to tick over on startup when on the 900RPM adapater.
Annoying. So I have put it back on full voltage while I investigate.

[lodestar]

Are you plugging the fan cable/adapter combo into the motherboard header? If so, you might find that using the supplied Molex adapter will give more consistent results.

[ntavlas]

You could also use one of the 3 pin headers that are not regulated by the bios.

[starsky]

I didn't get a supplied molex adapter.....
But I am sure I have one in my box of tricks somewhere.

[1337]

I have Qfan disabled, but I am having trouble getting the fan to tick over on startup when on the 900RPM adapater.
Annoying. So I have put it back on full voltage while I investigate.

Heh, looks like a fail-safe system kicks in. I am using an MSI board with exactly the same cooler and it has no problem starting up in U.L.N.A. mode. Give Noctua support a hey. I am sure somebody will be able to assist you. You paid for it.

[Das_Saunamies]

If you feel like it, you could make a more verbose and structured analysis in the User Reviews section, I'm sure people would appreciate it. I know I found this interesting, as I'm considering that cooler for an HTPC build.

[1337]

If you feel like it, you could make a more verbose and structured analysis in the User Reviews section, I'm sure people would appreciate it. I know I found this interesting, as I'm considering that cooler for an HTPC build.

Having used it for about 6 months now I can be qualified as a happy customer. But if your build does allow for more space... I'd still recommend NH-D14 over this one. The sheer size of the NH-D14 heatsink, even left run passively does a very good job at cooling whatever you throw at it. It costs a bit more and is hell a lot taller but it represents a considerably better cooling solution. Otherwise, for the same money, you can *probably* be better off with something else

[Das_Saunamies]

Only Noctua can satisfy me now - no fun intended.

The bigger 'sinks are too tall or too heavy or both. The HTPC is going to be portable (furniture, y'know) and in a semi-noisy environment, so I'm cool going with active cooling. In fact I prefer it, especially since gaming is part of what my rigs do. I'm sure the mobo components can use the blow-down breeze too, as the case fans will be lazy and few in number.

Thanks for the update!

[starsky]

I might give this a go passively and see how it goes. I have also done more testing, and it is failing about 1 in 5 startups on both lna adapters.

[Das_Saunamies]

I might give this a go passively and see how it goes. I have also done more testing, and it is failing about 1 in 5 startups on both lna adapters.

Annoying as hell when that happens. An inert case fan fried my 8800 GTS 512 (or at least substantially contributed to its catastrophic failure).

[kevral]

Did you find a reasonable solution to the fan not always spinning up?

I have one of those 140mms too, and sometimes it refuses to start up at 12 volts. The shop tested it against another one and concluded that this is just how they were.

[1337]

Only Noctua can satisfy me now - no fun intended.

The bigger 'sinks are too tall or too heavy or both. The HTPC is going to be portable (furniture, y'know) and in a semi-noisy environment, so I'm cool going with active cooling. In fact I prefer it, especially since gaming is part of what my rigs do. I'm sure the mobo components can use the blow-down breeze too, as the case fans will be lazy and few in number.

Thanks for the update!

No problem. If memory serves me right, there are a few Scythe products that should be able to do the job. You might want to check them out. Albeit, Noctua is a higher quality built heatsink, overall and the price reflects that.

I have one of those 140mms too, and sometimes it refuses to start up at 12 volts. The shop tested it against another one and concluded that this is just how they were.

Have you contacted Noctua? One of the benefits of buying premium class equipment is support.