The Noctua NH-U12A wins in 2 out of 3 comparable specs. Its biggest advantage is TDP Rating (208% better).
NH-L9i-17xx wins in 1 spec (MSRP: 55% better).
Recommendation
Choose NH-U12A if you want the best overall performance — especially tdp rating.
Choose NH-L9i-17xx if msrp matters more to you.
| Spec | NoctuaNH-L9i-17xx | NoctuaNH-U12A |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Type | Low Profile | Air Tower |
| Height | 37 mm | 158 mm |
| Performance | ||
| TDP Rating | 65W | 200W+208% |
| Fans | 1 | 2 |
| Fan Size | 92 mm | 120 mm |
| Acoustics | ||
| Noise Level | 23.6 dB(A) | 22.6 dB(A)−4% |
| Fan RPM |
| 600 - 2500 |
| 450 - 2000 |
| Compatibility | ||
| Sockets | LGA1851, LGA1700 | AM2+, AM3+, FM2+, LGA2011-3, LGA2011, LGA2066, LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150, AM5, AM4, AM3, AM2, FM1, FM2 |
| Price | ||
| MSRP | $45−55% | $100 |
| Release Date | Nov 2021 | Jan 2019 |
