Noctua NH-P1 Passive CPU Cooler
We approached Noctua in 2018 asking them if they would consider developing a fanless CPU cooler. We are therefore privileged to add the their NH-P1 to our lineup, which has exceed all of our expectations.
Features
- Designed for passive cooling from the ground up
- No noise, less dust, 100% fail-proof
- 100% RAM clearance on LGA1200 and AM4
- NT-H2 next-gen thermal compound
- Compatible with most Intel and AMD sockets
The NH-P1 is Noctua’s first passive CPU cooler and has been custom-designed for fanless operation from the ground up: in enclosures with good natural convection. Its six heatpipes and thick, widely spaced heatsink fins enable it to cool modern high-end CPUs with low to moderate heat dissipation completely passively. For further enhanced performance or semi-passive setups that only spin up their fans when necessary, the NH-P1 can be outfitted with a low-speed, ultra-quiet 120mm fan such as the NF-A12x25 LS-PWM. Topped off with the professional Torx-based SecuFirm2+ mounting system, Noctua’s award-winning NT-H2 thermal compound and a 6-year manufacturer’s warranty, the NH-P1 is the ideal cornerstone for premium-grade fanless or semi-passive builds.
IMPORTANT |
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While the NH-P1 provides first-rate performance for a passive cooler, it is not suitable for overclocking or CPUs that create high heat loads. Please note that the TDP (Thermal Design Power) rating or amount of heat dissipation that the cooler can handle not only depends on the chassis and various other factors such as ambient temperature or other components inside the system, but also generally varies from CPU model to CPU model. For this reason, we specify cooling performance using the Noctua Standardised Performance Rating (NSPR) instead of giving a general TDP specification. In addition, we refer to our CPU compatibility list where we indicate how well the cooler can be expected to work on a particular CPU in a fully optimised setup (see our setup guidelines). Please also note that the NH-P1 strictly requires either a fanless PC case with good natural convection, an open benchtable-type setup or a PC case with fans in order to achieve its full performance. Noctua have a list of recommended cases for completely fanless systems using the NH-P1. If necessary, Noctua recommends adding a near-inaudible 120mm fan like the NF-A12x25 LS-PWM to the heatsink for improved performance headroom. |
Designed for passive cooling from the ground up
The NH-P1 isn’t just a regular heatsink without a fan: it has been designed for fanless operation from the ground up, featuring much thicker, much more widely spaced fins in order to achieve both the mass and the minimal airflow resistance that are required in order to excel in natural convection cooling.
Fanless cooling for high-end CPUs
In fully optimised fanless systems, the NH-P1 is capable of cooling high-end CPUs with low to moderate heat dissipation using natural convection only (see Noctua’s setup guidelines and CPU compatibility list). This makes it ideal for powerful builds that have no moving parts and run absolutely silent.
Increased performance headroom with extra fan
The NH-P1 can be fitted with an extra 120mm fan such as the near inaudible NF-A12x25 LS-PWM in order to increase its maximum dissipation capacity significantly, making it ideal for short spikes of higher heat loads or semi-passive systems that only start their fans when necessary!
No noise, less dust, 100% fail-proof
Fanless cooling doesn’t only have the advantage of being completely silent: if you’re relying on natural convection only and don’t have case fans pushing air through a case, less dust will accumulate in filters or inside the system. Last but not least, with no moving parts such as fans or pumps that could possibly fail, the NH-P1 is as fail-proof as it can be.
Asymmetrical layout for optimal PCIe compatibility
As many current motherboards have the top PCIe x16 slot sitting close to the socket, bigger heatsinks tend to block it. Due to its asymmetrical layout, the fin-stack of the NH-P1 is offset towards the upper edge of the motherboard when installed in standard orientation. This allows it to clear the top PCIe x16 slot on most current micro-ATX and ATX motherboards (see Noctua’s motherboards compatibility list).
100% RAM clearance on LGA1200 and AM4
Due to its asymmetric design, the NH-P1 does not overhang the RAM slots on Intel LGA1200, LGA115x and AMD AM4 based motherboards, which ensures easy access to the modules and 100% compatibility with tall heat-spreaders. On LGA2066, it overhangs the RAM slots on the left-hand side of the socket, so RAM modules should not exceed 45mm in height.
SecuFirm2+ Torx-based multi-socket mounting system
Noctua’s SecuFirm2 mounting systems have become synonymous with quality, safety and easy installation. Torx-based, the professional SecuFirm2+ version with its included screwdriver provides even better handling and durability. Socket support includes Intel LGA1200, LGA115x (LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156) and LGA20xx (LGA2066, LGA2011-0, LGA2011-3), as well as AMD AM4, AM3(+), AM2(+), FM2(+) and FM1.
Compatibility with past and future sockets
Thanks to Noctua’s SecuFirm ecosystem, the NH-P1 can be made compatible with the older LGA1366 and LGA775 sockets using the optional NM-I3 mounting kit, which is provided free of charge. If technically possible, Noctua will also provide upgrade kits for future sockets, which makes the NH-P1 a safe long-term investment.
NT-H2 next-gen thermal compound
In high-end passive cooling, every degree counts. This is why the NH-P1 includes a tube of Noctua’s next-generation NT-H2 thermal compound that provides even better performance than the award-winning NT-H1, allowing you to achieve the best possible passive cooling results.
Soldered interface between heatpipes and fins
With many heatsinks, the fins are press-fitted to the heatpipes. Due to the different thermal expansion coefficients of copper and aluminium, this fit can loosen over years of thermal cycling, which may lead to reduced performance. By contrast, the NH-P1’s fins are soldered to the heatpipes in order to guarantee a superior thermal interface that doesn’t deteriorate even after many years of usage.
6-year manufacturer’s warranty
Noctua products are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity. Like all Noctua CPU coolers, the NH-P1 is built to the highest standards and comes with a full 6-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Review
eTechnix
It’s solid, silent, and when you truly consider what Noctua has achieved here with a passive design, it’s nothing short of remarkable!
Specifications | NH-P1 |
---|---|
Socket compatibility | Intel LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA2011, LGA2066 and AMD AM5, AM4, AM3, AM2, FM1, FM2 * |
Maximum TDP | 95W |
Recommended CPUs | See Noctua’s CPU compatibility list |
Recommended cases | See Noctua’s List of recommended cases |
Installation Method | Intel and AMD - backplate, requires motherboard removal |
Height | 158 mm |
Width | 154 mm |
Depth | 152 mm |
Weight | 1180 g |
Material | Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints and nickel plating |
Fan compatibility | 120x120x25 |
Accessories | SecuFirm2+ multi-socket mounting system, NT-H2 high-grade thermal compound, NA-CW1 cleaning wipe, NM-SD1 screwdriver, Fan clips for optional 120mm fan, Noctua Metal Case-Badge |
Noise Level (max) | 0 dBA |
Noise level (min) | 0 dBA |
RGB | No |
Warranty | 60 months |
EAN barcode | 9010018000269 |
- *Backplate required for AMD compatibility
Specifications | NH-P1 |
---|---|
Socket compatibility | Intel LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA2011, LGA2066 and AMD AM5, AM4, AM3, AM2, FM1, FM2 * |
Maximum TDP | 95W |
Recommended CPUs | See Noctua’s CPU compatibility list |
Recommended cases | See Noctua’s List of recommended cases |
Installation Method | Intel and AMD - backplate, requires motherboard removal |
Height | 158 mm |
Width | 154 mm |
Depth | 152 mm |
Weight | 1180 g |
Material | Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints and nickel plating |
Fan compatibility | 120x120x25 |
Accessories | SecuFirm2+ multi-socket mounting system, NT-H2 high-grade thermal compound, NA-CW1 cleaning wipe, NM-SD1 screwdriver, Fan clips for optional 120mm fan, Noctua Metal Case-Badge |
Noise Level (max) | 0 dBA |
Noise level (min) | 0 dBA |
RGB | No |
Warranty | 60 months |
EAN barcode | 9010018000269 |
- *Backplate required for AMD compatibility
Customer Reviews
Great performance from this cooler
Performs brilliantly for me in a semi-passive setup with an AMD 7 7700 (non-X). For most of the tasks I run, the cooler operates fine with 3 Noctua case fans running in almost complete silence at low revs. For non-intensive tasks those case fans may not be necessary but optimise the cooling. I am not using a fan clipped to the NH-P1. For very intensive tasks, such as ultra high definition video rendering I increase the case fan revs and have an absolute temperature limit on the CPU set in the ASUS bios at 80 degrees C. Works great in this configuration.
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