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#761 - Noctua Cooling Solutions |
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Written by Zach Jeffers
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Sunday, 26 November 2006 |
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Page 12 of 14
Installation 2/2:
To install the Noctua NH-U12F you will need to remove the standard AM2 retention bracket and install the included adapter back
plate. Once this is done you can then mount the included retention brackets with corresponding washers according to the User's
Manual.
 
Included in the Common Hardware pouch is a syringe of thermal compound. This is not really labeled and seems like standard OEM
white thermal grease.
 
Remember that Phillips 'L' driver that was included? This is where the tool comes into play. Whether you are mounting the cooler
vertically or horizontally, you will need to use this to screw down the spring loaded screws from the base to the mounting
brackets on the motherboard. One thing to remember is that you will want to mount your motherboard to the motherboard tray of your
particular case before you mount the Noctua cooler as some mounts may not be accessible!
  
Once installed onto the motherboard, the provided fan just barely clears our ECS KA3 MVP test board's memory. Also, on the I/O
side, there is plenty of room, but you may want to check the clearance of the individual items of your motherboard before choosing
to include a second fan on the NH-U12.
  
As you can see below, this is one of the largest heat sink and fan combinations we have tested second to only the Thermalright
Ultra-120 due to it's lack of a second fan. Remember the second fan is optional and is not included with the NH-U12F. We will be
testing with and without the second fan.
  
When mounting the Noctua NF-S12 fans, using the Vibration Compensators is preferred. These easily push through the mounting holes
of your case or side panel and are pulled through the fan's mounting holes. The creates a snug, vibration/noise free, mounting.
During testing we will be using the fans in a few different configurations. First with a NF-S12 at the cases exhaust and two
NF-S12s on the NH-U12 heat sink. We will then test the same but with out the second fan on the heat sink. Lastly we will test with
a single NF-S12 at the front of the case for intake, one at the back for exhaust and the included fan with the NH-U12.
  
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