Performance:

The thermal testing of the Noctua NC-U6 Heatpipe Chipset Cooler was rather simple. One lead from a digital thermal probe was allowed to monitor the ambient temperature (a constant 20 degrees Celsius), while a second lead was affixed to the base of the cooler as close to the chipset as possible without interfering. The system was then powered up for a good long session of some of my favorite games, like Unreal Tournament and Call of Duty.

This test was executed with the stock chipset cooler and the NC-U6, and the maximum sustained temperatures were monitored and recorded in the chart below. As you can see, a massive decrease in chipset temperature was achieved! Without adding any fans or noise, the chipset temperature dropped 12 degrees Celsius, or roughly 25%! With no fan installed, your best results will come if a case or CPU fan happens to blow across the NC-U6, as it will give an active boost to the respectable passive cooling you get straight out of the package.


For those die hard users looking for even better performance, a 60mm fan could be attached to the cooler and the results would definitely be even more impressive. Noctua does not provide any provisions for mounting a fan, but some cable ties or wire might be all that you need to securely attach a 60mm fan!

Conclusion:

The Noctua NC-U6 Heatpipe Chipset Cooler is an excellent choice for those looking for a significant upgrade in the chipset cooling department. It provides excellent performance that would make it appealing to overclockers and gamers, while offering absolutely silent operation that anyone could appreciate, especially HTPC users.


A search of PriceGrabber turns up nothing for the NC-U6 in the United States, but one Canadian vendor (NCIX) has them in stock for $23.24 (US) and will ship south of the border. This is definitely a competitive price for a high end chipset cooler, it is just too bad the availability is so limited. There are a handful of vendors carrying their CPU coolers at this time, and I hope to see their chipset cooler on the virtual shelves (with a competitive price) sometime in the very near future.

Given the performance, simplicity, and absolute silent operation, I award the Noctua NC-U6 Heatpipe Chipset Cooler the ratings of "Recommended" and "Whisper Quiet".


Pros:

» Excellent passive cooling upgrade
» Could be used with a fan (not included)
» (Relatively) universal installation
» Slim design fits in tight places (like between SLI video cards)
» Reasonably priced

Cons:

» Limited orientation angles
» Limited availability

Special thanks to Noctua for providing the Noctua NC-U6 Heatpipe Chipset Cooler to Bigbruin.com for review!