After reviewing Noctua NH-U12P it's time to test a similar model, NH-C12P, which is a six-heatpipe cooler where the 120 mm fan in placed horizontally, thus fitting some SFF cases. Let's check if its performance is similar to its brother's.
Like NH-U12P this model is only compatible with Intel socket 775 or AMD sockets AM3, AM2+ and AM2 CPUs. Actually, its fastening system is identical to NH-U12P's. Its box is also practically the same, only with a different text.
click to enlargeFigure 1: Box.
Inside the box we found the heatsink, the fan (which doesn't come installed), three plastic bags with installation hardware, one NT-H1 thermal compound tube and the installation manual. This manual is actually made by two folders, one explaining the installation process on Intel processors and the other one for AMD CPUs. We also found two speed reducers for the fan, which are simple resistors to be put in series with the fan power wires.
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Figure 2: Box contents.
In Figure 3 you can see how the NH-C12P heatsink looks like. Like NH-U12P the fins are thick, giving a solid constitution to the cooler.
click to enlargeFigure 3: Noctua NH-C12P heatsink.Viewing the heatsink from the side we can note that the fins over the CPU go straight from the base to the top of the heatsink. Unfortunately these fins are practically under the center of the fan, where there is no direct airflow. The heatpipes start on the base and bring the heat to the fins near the fan.
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Figure 4: Side view.
