Noctua NH-U9S CPU Cooler Review

Award-winning NH-U series
The NH-U9S stems from Noctua’s award-winning NH-U9 series. First introduced in 2005, the NH-U series has become a standard choice for premium quality quiet CPU coolers and won more than 800 awards and recommendations from leading international hardware websites and magazines.

S version with better compatibility
Like its bigger brothers NH-U12S and NH-U14S, the NH-U9S features a revised, slimmer layout: Whereas the NH-U9B SE2 was 120mm deep with its two stock fans, the NH-U9S is asymmetrically built and measures only 95mm with its single, more efficient NF-A9 fan, thus providing better performance and compatibility at the same time.

100% RAM compatibility
With its 95x95mm footprint, the NH-U9S does not overhang the RAM slots on current Intel and most AMD mainboards. This gives the user full access to the memory modules and guarantees 100% compatibility with tall heatspreaders or optional memory fans.*

100% compatibility with PCIe cards on mini-ITX
Many Intel LGA115x based mini-ITX mainboards have the PCIe slot sitting right next to the 95x95mm socket zone. While larger coolers that exceed this zone are likely to block the PCIe slot, the 95x95xmm sized NH-U9S provides full compatibility with PCIe cards, be it on ATX, microATX or ITX.

NF-A9 premium fan
The highly optimised NF-A9 premium fan features Noctua’s proprietary AAO frame as well as sophisticated aerodynamic design measures such as Flow Acceleration Channels, which allows it to further improve the renowned efficiency of Noctua’s previous 92mm models and contributes to the NH-U9S’ superior cooling performance.

PWM support and Low-Noise Adaptor
The NF-A9 92mm fan supplied with the NH-U9S supports PWM for convenient automatic speed control through the mainboard. In addition, the maximum fan speed can be reduced from 2000 to 1550rpm using the supplied Low-Noise Adaptor for even quieter operation.

Dual fan ready
The NH-U9S includes an extra set of fan mounting clips for users who want to achieve even better cooling performance by adding a second, optional NF-A9 PWM fan in order to create a push/pull setup. Using the y-cable supplied with the NF-A9 PWM retail fan, both fans can be connected to one CPU fan header.

SecuFirm2™ mounting system
Noctua’s SecuFirm2™ mounting systems have become synonymous with quality, safety and ease of use. Supporting Intel LGA115x (LGA1150, LGA1155, LGA1156), LGA2011 (LGA2011-0 & LGA2011-3) and AMD (AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, FM2, FM2+), the SecuFirm2™ mounting included with the NH-U9S guarantees perfect contact pressure and maximum convenience on all current sockets.

Compatibility with past and future sockets
Complying with the open SecuFirm™ standard, the NH-U9S can be made compatible with the older LGA1366 and LGA775 sockets using the optional NM-I3 mounting kit, which is provided by Noctua free of charge. If technically possible, Noctua will also provide upgrade kits for future sockets.

NT-H1 thermal compound
Having received more than 100 awards and recommendations from hardware journalists around the world, Noctua’s NT-H1 is a proven professional grade TIM solution that provides minimum thermal resistance, excellent ease of use and outstanding reliability.

6 years warranty
Noctua products are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity. Like all Noctua fans, the supplied NF-A9 features an MTBF rating of more than 150.000 hours and the entire NH-U9S package comes with a full 6 years manufacturer’s warranty.

*Some AMD mainboards violate the 96x114mm keep-out zone specified by AMD, so the NH-U9S can only be used with RAM modules of up to 30mm height on these boards. Please consult our compatibility list for details.