Performance Results

The Noctua NH-C12P was tested using our new testing methodology that was developed during our recent EPIC heatsink roundup. We now have results for eleven heatsinks included for comparison.

The NH-C12P fairs very well against the competition. It is only a couple of degrees behind the NH-U12P and just slightly behind Thermalright’s top of the line down-draft cooler, the SI-128SE.

As we discovered during the last heatsink roundup, Prime95 “Small FFT” testing puts significantly more strain on modern Intel processors than “Large FFTs”. Although the recorded temperatures are much higher, we see a similar pattern with Small FFTs. The NH-C12P is just a degree behind the SI-128SE.

At idle, the NH-C12P nudged itself right to the front of the pack. It is possible that keeping the socket area cool helps with lower CPU heat loads.

The NH-C12P by far, provides the best cooling to the memory VRM area on our P5K-E. The airflow gaps are definitely functional. Placing my hand underneath the gap, I could feel a much stronger flow there than under other parts of the heatsink. Being able to mount the NH-C12P in four positions on a socket 775 system allows for many motherboard cooling possibilities.

For good measure, we always conduct testing on our AM2 test bed as well. The NH-C12P does not fair quite as well, but like we saw with the NH-U9B, other heatsinks are simply performing a lot better on AM2 than on 775—like the Scythe Mugen and Coolink Silenator.