Noctua NA-FK1 second fan kit for NH-U12S redux

Unlock Ultimate Performance and Silence: The Noctua NA-FK1 Second Fan Kit

The quest for a PC that is both powerful and quiet is a journey many enthusiasts embark on. At the heart of this challenge is the CPU cooler, and the Noctua NH-U12S redux offers a fantastic starting point. It’s an efficient, reliable cooler that delivers great performance out of the box.

But what if you could take that performance to the next level? What if you could squeeze out every last bit of cooling power and reduce noise even further?

This is where the Noctua NA-FK1 second fan kit comes in. It’s a purpose-built upgrade designed to transform your NH-U12S redux from a great cooler into an extraordinary one. The NA-FK1 unlocks the full potential of your cooler, providing a critical performance edge for the most demanding modern processors.

This comprehensive guide will dive into the technical details and real-world benefits of the Noctua NA-FK1, explaining exactly why this kit is the definitive upgrade for your NH-U12S redux.

The Push/Pull Principle: The Science of Superior Cooling

The effectiveness of the Noctua NA-FK1 is rooted in a fundamental principle of air cooling known as “push/pull.” While your NH-U12S redux uses a single fan to “push” air through its fin stack, adding a second fan creates a powerful synergy.

By mounting a second fan to the rear of the heatsink, you create a “pull” configuration. This fan actively draws air out of the heatsink fins, working in concert with the first fan that’s pushing air in.

This combined effort provides a tangible increase in both airflow and static pressure. A single fan’s airflow can be met with resistance from the dense fins. The second fan helps to overcome this resistance, ensuring a more uniform and consistent flow of air across the entire heatsink surface.

This enhanced static pressure is crucial. It means hot air is expelled from the heatsink more efficiently and at a faster rate. As a result, the copper heatpipes and aluminum fins can continuously absorb more heat from your CPU, preventing temperature plateaus and allowing for better thermal dissipation.

The push/pull setup of the Noctua NA-FK1 also has a significant impact on noise levels. The two fans can work together at a lower, more comfortable speed to achieve the same cooling performance that would otherwise require a single fan to spin much faster and louder. This synergy is key to the kit’s dual benefits: higher performance and reduced noise.

Meticulously Engineered: Components of the Noctua NA-FK1

The Noctua NA-FK1 is more than just a fan. It’s a complete kit, containing every component you need to seamlessly upgrade your NH-U12S redux. Each part is chosen for its quality, compatibility, and seamless integration, upholding Noctua’s reputation for meticulous engineering.

At the core of the kit is the fan itself. The included NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM fan is a perfect match for the one that comes with the NH-U12S redux. This ensures a consistent look and perfectly matched performance.

This fan is a powerhouse of a component. It delivers a maximum speed of 1700 RPM, providing a powerful airflow of up to 120.2 m³/h (70.7 CFM) and a static pressure of 2.83 mmH₂O.

With PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) functionality, the fan’s speed is precisely controlled by your motherboard. It will automatically ramp up or down based on your CPU’s temperature, ensuring efficiency and quiet operation. The NF-P12 redux is also renowned for its incredible durability, with a lifespan rating of over 150,000 hours.

The kit also includes the NA-YC1 4-Pin PWM Y-Cable. This small but essential component allows both your original fan and the new one from the Noctua NA-FK1 to be connected to a single CPU fan header on your motherboard. This ensures they are always perfectly synchronized, controlled by the same PWM signal for consistent and reliable performance.

For a secure and vibration-free installation, the Noctua NA-FK1 provides a pair of durable steel fan mounting clips. These clips are designed to provide a firm and perfect grip, aligning the new fan flawlessly with the heatsink’s fin stack for optimal airflow.

Noctua’s commitment to quiet computing is further demonstrated by the inclusion of the NA-AVP2 anti-vibration pads. These soft grey pads are installed on the corners of the fan to dampen any minor vibrations that could otherwise be transferred to the heatsink. This detail helps ensure the whisper-quiet performance Noctua is famous for.

The Noctua NA-FK1 also offers an option for those who prioritize silence above all else. The kit comes with two NA-RC14 Low-Noise Adaptors (L.N.A.). By installing an L.N.A., you can reduce the fan’s maximum speed from 1700 RPM to a very quiet 1350 RPM. This feature offers a tailored solution for users creating silent workstations or home theater PCs.

The Real-World Benefits of the Noctua NA-FK1

The advantages of upgrading with the Noctua NA-FK1 are both immediate and significant. This kit provides a holistic improvement to your PC’s cooling and acoustic profile, offering two distinct paths to a better system.

For users with modern, multi-core CPUs, the extra cooling power is invaluable. By facilitating the push/pull configuration, the Noctua NA-FK1 can lower CPU temperatures by an additional 1-3°C under load.

This temperature drop is a huge advantage. It can be the difference between a CPU hitting its thermal throttling limit and maintaining its maximum boost frequency. Sustained high clock speeds translate directly into faster rendering times, higher frame rates in games, and a more responsive feel during demanding tasks.

The enhanced performance makes the Noctua NA-FK1 the perfect solution for anyone who engages in overclocking, extensive content creation, or high-end gaming. It ensures your CPU can perform at its peak for longer periods without risk of overheating.

Perhaps the most compelling benefit, though, is the dramatic reduction in noise. When using a single fan, the cooler must spin faster to dissipate heat. With the Noctua NA-FK1, you can achieve the same, or even better, cooling performance with both fans spinning at a much lower, quieter speed.

This means your PC can run silently during daily use and remain quiet even under moderate load. For professionals, students, or anyone who values a tranquil computing environment, this is a game-changer. The included L.N.A. cables allow you to further fine-tune your system’s sound profile, giving you ultimate control.

Every component in the Noctua NA-FK1 kit is backed by Noctua’s legendary 6-year manufacturer’s warranty. This commitment to quality and durability ensures that your cooling solution will remain robust and reliable for years to come. Installing a second fan also reduces the individual workload on each fan, potentially extending their already impressive lifespan.

Simple Installation, Broad Compatibility

The Noctua NA-FK1 is designed to be a straightforward upgrade. The installation process is easy and requires no specialized tools.

Simply use the included clips to mount the new fan onto the rear of the heatsink. Then, connect both fans using the included Y-cable and plug it into your motherboard’s CPU fan header. The entire process takes just a few minutes, allowing you to quickly enjoy the benefits of dual-fan cooling.

The NH-U12S redux is already known for its excellent compatibility with tall RAM modules and PCIe cards. The Noctua NA-FK1 maintains this design philosophy. Its slim profile ensures it will not interfere with other components in your system, making it a safe and reliable choice for a wide variety of PC builds.

Why the Noctua NA-FK1 is an Essential Upgrade

In the competitive world of PC hardware, every degree and every decibel matters. The Noctua NA-FK1 is the perfect solution for those who demand more from their NH-U12S redux CPU cooler. It’s an upgrade that offers a clear and measurable performance increase, a significant reduction in noise, and the peace of mind that comes with Noctua’s unmatched quality.

Whether you’re a serious gamer pushing your system to its limits, a content creator who needs stable performance under sustained load, or an enthusiast seeking acoustic excellence, the Noctua NA-FK1 is a worthwhile investment. By choosing this kit, you are not just adding a fan; you are investing in a proven, high-performance solution that elevates your entire computing experience.

Unlock the true potential of your NH-U12S redux today and experience the Noctua difference.