Noctua NH-U9S chromax.black – Small, quiet and very expensive

Methodology of measurement and test results

The NH-U9S chromax.black cooler is a new addition to the Noctua Chromax series. Although the original version of the cooler has been on the market for several years, the typically brown-beige color design of the fan may not suit everyone’s liking. Chromax series coolers solve this problem with a matte black finish from the fan to the last screw. However, the question remains whether this surface treatment does not have a negative effect on the efficiency.

Test methodology

The test methodology is still the same for comparability of results. The Intel Core i7-5820K processor serves as the heat generator in the ASRock X99 Taichi motherboard. The whole build is placed on a Streacom BC1 benchtable without fans that would provide airflow. Stress tests are performed using the Aida64 Extreme application with a duration of 45–60 minutes. The coolers are tested at three speed levels (800, 1200 and maximum) at a processor clock speed of 4200 MHz with a voltage of 1.150 V. This is followed by another series of tests at 4500 MHz with a voltage of 1.350 V. Processor power draw at these clock speeds is approx. 200 W. The second series of tests is already a really big burden for most coolers. Therefore, it cannot be expected that all tested coolers will be able to cool the processor at all speed levels.

Noise is measured using a calibrated Voltcraft SL-100 sound level meter in fast measurement mode (125 ms) with a sensitivity range of 30–100 dBA approx. 50 cm from the cooler. Measurements take place at three fan speed levels, namely 800, 1200 and maximum rpm. Speed control is provided by the Noctua NA-FC1 controller. The ambient noise level is below 33.0 dBA. At the end of the test, the highest temperature reached is always noted down. All data regarding temperatures and energy consumption of the processor are obtained from the HWiNFO64 application. The results are then corrected for ambient temperature as the final Delta T value. The test success limit is set at 80 °C. Any higher value means a processor temperature above 100 °C and a risk of thermal throttling. Therefore, if the cooler does not pass the stress test with a Delta T value below 80 °C, such a test is marked as failed.

In addition, I performed stress tests on this cooler in a push-pull configuration with a second Noctua NF-A9 PWM chromax.swap fan. The reason for including these tests was my curiosity as to whether the presence of a second fan at the rear of the cooler would lead to a measurable improvement, given the depth of the cooler.

Test results




It can already be seen here that a high amount of waste heat in combination with low fan speeds means that most coolers are not able to prevent the processor from overheating and subsequent throttling. This is not unexpected, it is simply the physical limit of the cooler and does not mean that it is of poor quality.






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