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Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 Compact CPU Cooler Review

Today we will present second from the recently released Noctua compact CPU coolers – NHL9a-AM4. Since it’s designed for AMD Ryzen then we will test it with the 1700X processor. I guess it will be good test for this small cooler.

Lower AMD processors come with CPU cooler in the box but those who decide on higher series or simply with something smaller then have to look for other cooling solutions. Here comes Noctua with probably the smallest cooler designed for AM4 socket.

Stay with us to find out how much has to offer the NH-L9a-AM4 cooler.

 

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The NH-L9a-AM4 is the latest, AM4-specific revision of Noctua’s award-winning NH-L9a low-profile CPU cooler for AMD Ryzen-based HTPCs and Small Form Factor (SFF) systems. At a height of only 37mm, the NH-L9a is ideal for extremely slim cases and, due to its small footprint, it provides 100% RAM and PCIe compatibility as well as easy access to near-socket connectors even on tightly packed mini-ITX motherboards. The custom-designed SecuFirm2™ mounting system for the AM4 socket makes installation child’s play and, thanks to the highly optimised NF-A9x14 92mm fan that supports fully automatic speed control via PWM, the NH-L9a-AM4 runs remarkably quietly. Topped off with Noctua’s renowned NT-H1 thermal compound, the NH-L9a-AM4 combines everything users have come to expect from Noctua’s larger coolers into a super-compact, premium-quality package for ITX and HTPC builds with Ryzen CPUs or APUs.

 

 

New revision for Ryzen’s AM4 socket

New revision for Ryzen’s AM4 socket

Since the original NH-L9a for AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1 and FM2(+) has received more than 50 awards and recommendations from international hardware websites and magazines, the new AM4 revision builds on the same proven heatsink design to provide excellent low-profile cooling performance for Ryzen CPUs and APUs.
 
37mm low profile

37mm low profile

Due to the slim 23mm heatsink and the NF-A9x14 low profile fan that measures only 14mm in thickness, the NH-L9 stands a mere 37mm tall, which makes it ideal for use in compact HTPCs or Small Form Factor cases that offer minimum clearance for CPU coolers.
 
100% RAM compatibility

100% RAM compatibility

The NH-L9a-AM4 has a compact footprint that fully complies with the socket keep-out zones specified by AMD. This means that neither the heatsink nor the fan overhang the RAM, so the cooler provides easy access to the slots and is fully compatible with tall memory modules.
 
100% compatibility with PCIe cards on mini-ITX

100% compatibility with PCIe cards on mini-ITX

Some AMD-based mini-ITX motherboards have the PCIe slot located close to the CPU socket zone. While larger coolers that exceed this zone may block the PCIe slot, the compact-sized NH-L9a-AM4 provides full compatibility with PCIe cards.
 
Easy access to near-socket connectors

Easy access to near-socket connectors

Many low-profile coolers use larger fans or heatsinks in order to achieve sufficient performance, but by protruding over the socket zone, they make it difficult or even impossible to reach near-socket connectors on tightly packed ITX motherboards. Thanks to its compact footprint, the NH-L9a-AM4 provides easy access to all connectors and components.
 
NF-A9x14 PWM premium fan

NF-A9x14 PWM premium fan

The highly optimised, award-winning NF-A9x14 premium fan features Noctua’s proprietary AAO frame as well as sophisticated aerodynamic design measures. Supporting PWM for fully automatic speed control, the NF-A9x14 allows the NH-L9a-AM4 to stay remarkably quiet.
 
Low-Noise Adaptor

Low-Noise Adaptor

Allowing the maximum speed of the NF-A9x14 PWM fan to be reduced from 2500 to 1800rpm, the included Low-Noise Adaptor (LNA) makes it possible to achieve near-silent setups using CPUs with less than 65W TDP.
 
Custom-designed SecuFirm2™ mounting for AM4

Custom-designed SecuFirm2™ mounting for AM4

The NH-L9a-AM4 comes with a custom-designed SecuFirm2™ mounting system for the AM4 socket of AMD’s Ryzen platform. Allowing the heatsink to be fixed from the back of the motherboard, it makes installation easier than ever, all while maintaining the trusted SecuFirm2™ quality.
 
NT-H1 thermal compound

NT-H1 thermal compound

Noctua’s much-acclaimed NT-H1 is a pro-grade TIM solution that provides minimum thermal resistance, excellent ease of use and outstanding reliability. Chosen again and again by overclockers and enthusiast users worldwide, it has established itself as a benchmark for premium-quality thermal compounds.
 
6-year manufacturer’s warranty

6-year manufacturer’s warranty

Noctua products are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity. Like all Noctua fans, the supplied NF-A9x14 features an MTTF rating of more than 150.000 hours and the entire NH-L9a package comes with a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty.

 

You can buy the Noctua NH-L9a-AM4 CPU cooler for around USD $40 from Amazon – http://amzn.to/2hetEAL

 

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