Compare: Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition vs NH-U12S chromax.Black

Design and Aesthetics:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

The Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition is a popular air cooler from Cooler Master designed for mainstream CPUs. As an upgrade from the original Hyper 212 EVO, it features several improvements in both aesthetics and performance.

The RGB element of the cooler is the 120mm fan, which comes with customizable RGB lighting. This allows you to personalize the lighting effects and colors to match your PC's overall theme, adding a touch of flair to your build.

NH-U12S chromax.Black

The NH-U12S chromax.Black features a single-tower design with a slim aluminum heatsink and a single 120mm NF-F12 PWM fan. This design ensures efficient heat dissipation while maintaining compatibility with various system configurations, including those with tall RAM modules. Aesthetically, the NH-U12S chromax.Black adopts a black color scheme, providing a sleek and modern appearance that complements various build themes.

Install Notes:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

One of the biggest downsides of this cooler is the installation process. It's pretty tedious, similar to other CoolerMaster cooler installations. There are many parts that can be difficult to piece together, and figuring out how the various attachments connect with the cooler can be challenging. So, with this cooler, you're pretty much asking for a puzzle during the installation process.

NH-U12S chromax.Black

The NH-U12S features Noctua's SecuFirm2 mounting system, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets and offering a straightforward installation process, typical of Noctua coolers. Clear instructions, high-quality components, and a tube of their premium NT-H1 thermal compound make it an easy and user-friendly experience, even for beginners. The cooler uses the original AMD backplate for AMD installations. However, one downside is that the cooler may stick to your CPU, and due to the screw setup, you can't slide the cooler off the CPU like with some other brands. Overall, the NH-U12S offers a relatively hassle-free installation process.

Cooling Performance:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

he Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition has a quad heat pipe design with direct contact technology, which helps improve its cooling efficiency. The cooler is capable of handling most mainstream CPUs, making it suitable for everyday tasks, gaming, and some overclocking. However, it might not be the best choice for extreme overclocking or high-end CPUs with high TDPs, as there are more powerful coolers available for those purposes.

NH-U12S chromax.Black

The performance of the NH-U12S is commendable due to its five heat pipes that efficiently transfer heat away from the CPU and into the large fin array of the heatsink. It is suitable for a wide range of processors, including high-end models with high TDPs. While it may not offer the same level of cooling performance as its bigger sibling, the NH-U12A, the NH-U12S still provides reliable cooling under various workloads and can handle moderate levels of overclocking under certain CPUs.

Noise Performance:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

In terms of noise, this cooler has a slightly above average noise profile. That means it's a bit louder than some other coolers on the market. If you're sensitive to noise or want a quieter PC setup, you might want to look for a different cooler with a better noise profile.

NH-U12S chromax.Black

One of the standout features of the NH-U12S is its quiet operation. The included 120mm NF-F12 PWM fan is designed for optimal airflow and low noise levels. Noctua fans are well-known for their excellent acoustic performance, and the NH-U12S is no exception. Users can expect quiet cooling even during normal computer use.

Summary:

Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

The Hyper 212 EVO V2 cooler has its pros and cons. It's got a cool design with RGB lighting, but its performance, noise, and installation are not the best. There are other options available that offer a similar look and feel with better metrics, like the DeepCool AG400 BK. So, before making your decision, consider your priorities and whether the cool design is worth the trade-offs in performance, noise, and installation.

NH-U12S chromax.Black

The Noctua NH-U12S is a reliable and efficient air cooler that offers excellent cooling capabilities and quiet operation. Its single-tower design and slim profile make it compatible with various system configurations, and its exceptional build quality ensures long-lasting performance. For users seeking a dependable cooling solution for their systems, the NH-U12S is a great choice.