The Awesome Cooler You Can Actually Afford - Noctua Redux
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Go to privacy.com to get $5 off your first purchase! Save 10% and Free Worldwide Shipping at Ridge Wallets by using offer code LINUS at ridge.com Meet Noctua’s first foray into a value line of CPU coolers. It's a trimmed down version of the excellent NH-U12S - but.. do the savings match the performance? Buy Noctua NH-U12S redux CPU Cooler (PAID LINK): geni.us Buy Cooler Master Hyper 212 CPU Cooler (PAID LINK): geni.us Buy Noctua NH-U12S CPU Cooler (PAID LINK): geni.us Buy Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler (PAID LINK): geni.us Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com ►GET MERCH: lttstore.com ►SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com ►LTX EXPO: ltxexpo.com AFFILIATES & REFERRALS --------------------------------------------------- ►Affiliates, Sponsors & Referrals: lmg.gg ►Check out our podcast gear: kit.co ►Private Internet Access VPN: lmg.gg ►Our Official Charging Partner Anker: lmg.gg ►MK Keyboards: lmg.gg ►Nerd or Die Stream Overlays: lmg.gg ►Official Game Store: nexus.gg ►Amazon Prime: lmg.gg ►Audible Free Trial: lmg.gg ►Our Gear on Amazon: geni.us FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv FOLLOW OUR OTHER CHANNELS --------------------------------------------------- Mac Address: lmg.gg Techquickie: lmg.gg TechLinked: lmg.gg ShortCircuit: lmg.gg LMG Clips: lmg.gg Channel Super Fun: lmg.gg Carpool Critics: lmg.gg MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us 0:00 Intro 1:02 Dad Joke 1:12 The competition 1:34 Unboxing 2:00 What's changed 4:42 Thermals 5:40 Acoustics 7:03 Conclusion
The video introduces Noctua's first budget-oriented CPU cooler, the NH-U12S Redux, framing it as a trimmed down version of the acclaimed NH-U12S while questioning whether cost savings compromise performance. The host lays out the design changes aimed at cutting costs, including removing extra components, reducing the number of heat pipes by one, and using an older bearing design for the fans to keep prices down. He clearly contrasts Redux with the original, noting that the new model ships with fewer accessories, no extra fan clips, and a pre-applied thermal paste that is a one-shot deal, which could affect upgrade flexibility later. The analysis then pivots to performance testing, pitting the Redux against a Chromax Black NH-U12S in a 20-minute blender render running at 150 watts. The results show surprisingly close thermal performance, with only a small margin of error, and a two-to-three degree advantage when a second fan is added to each cooler. Acoustic testing reveals that idle noise is nearly identical, but under load the Redux’s higher fan speed can push noise up by about five decibels, a difference that is noticeable but manageable for many users. The host rounds out the assessment by weighing cost against perceived value, concluding that for a substantial price reduction the Redux still delivers competitive cooling, especially for budget-conscious system builders, while acknowledging the noise trade-off under heavy workloads. The video ends with practical buying advice and a nod to sponsor ties, highlighting the Redux as a compelling entry point for fans who want Noctua’s proven reliability at a lower cost, followed by a quick segue to related content and sponsor mentions.
Topics · technology · hardware · pc_building · cooling
Questions answered
- What is the NH-U12S Redux and how does it differ from the original NH-U12S?
- The NH-U12S Redux is a budget-friendly version of the NH-U12S that trims down extraneous components, reduces heat pipes, and uses an older fan bearing design to cut costs. It ships with fewer accessories and a pre-applied thermal paste, and uses a redesigned fan with a lower-cost bearing system.
- Does the Redux perform close to the original under load?
- Yes, in the tests conducted, the Redux performed essentially the same as the Chromax Black NH-U12S within the study's margin of error, and adding a second fan reduced temperatures further by about two to three degrees, similar to the original.