The new Noctua L12Sx77 - Like it's made for the Terra!

The new Noctua L12Sx77 fits the Fractal Terra like a glove (only in divider position #1), and it's going to be the most powerful low profile cooler you can get in the case right now. The L12Sx77 is also just a very solid low profile cooler in general. In this review I'll cover what you can expect, as well as a very interesting enhancement to it.
The L12Sx77: amzn.to/4bjWEAv
If you have clearance, you can add this fan:
amzn.to/4aqZ5zM
Comparison cooler:
Noctua L12S: amzn.to/4dIxeOi
ID Cooling IS-67-XT: amzn.to/4dpmt3B
Tested in:
Fractal Terra: amzn.to/3Ezk7io
The best gaming CPU right now: amzn.to/3JYZuPn
Test Build Components
GPU: amzn.to/4a0d67h
Case Fan: amzn.to/4bkgYkE
Fan Cage: amzn.to/3UJFSVG
Mobo: amzn.to/3PENDZa
RAM: amzn.to/4aXS76r
M.2: amzn.to/4dlPv3N
PSU: amzn.to/44n6bny
As an Amazon Associate I earn commission from qualifying purchases, thank you for your support of the channel via the product links.
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0:00 Intro
1:27 The L12Sx77
2:12 Fan configuration and modes
3:39 In the Terra
4:11 Installation orientation
7:27 Improvements
8:58 Thermal Testing
11:29 Why you shouldn't do this!
12:06 Now you can do this.
14:06 Suitable CPUs
15:24 No turbulent noise!
16:09 $$ Analysis
17:02 Conclusion

[@MachinesMore]

I wanted to note an inaccuracy on the L12S height- I had remembered 72mm but it is actually 70mm. So the new cooler is raised by an additional 7mm and not 5mm.

[@Datagram]

The noise tests, the comparison with a traditional cooler using a 25mm fan, the testing with a 25mm fan underneath, you covered pretty much everything I would have wanted to test myself. This is why I love this channel!

[@weirdodude1173]

I was wondering about the noise in this case, thanks for covering that. Thumbs up!

[@Equilibrandt]

I've been waiting for something exactly like this. Finally, a Noctua option for the Terra that isn't the NH-L9x65 with the tiny 95x95x25 on top at 75mm (or stock 95x95x13 at 65mm). But with those, the fan's near the panel, not under the sink. Awesome!

[@Boemtie]

I made this exact build and im so happy❤

[@Tritone_b5]

On my L12s I added a 25mm fan underneath, slimmed it down to 20mm thickness to fit with regular LPX RAM. Noise isn't as high pitched and also got quite a substantial decrease in temps; which is unlike your results with the 77mm one, which is interesting to say the least.

[@CthUwU09]

hoping your channel takes off brother

[@robertmajors1737]

@MachinesMore Are you going to get a sample of the Sapphire B650i board to review? I'm kind of excited for a new option in AM5 if it's any good. Im trying to plan out a new itx build, and I'm pretty underwhelmed by the choices. The MSI b650 is at the top of my list for now, but I like the look of that Sapphire.

[@ailluinthethyra6139]

I hope you can test out the Thermalright SI-100 Black against the NH-C14S. I've seen a benchmark that puts the SI-100 on top of the NH-C14S which is kinda hard to believe just because of the sheer mass of the NH-C14S compared to the SI-100.

[@iam4740]

Used on a 590i with an 11700k at 4.7 ghz. Limits temps to 70-71C at 70F ambient in a DA6 case. On this setup the 15mm fan does not protrude, but a 25mm does.

[@optimus888amicus]

Very good ! 🌞😉👍 I really love it !

[@iamnoob-ep3tz]

wonder if this will work well on the meshlicious

[@jandkwhite6459]

what about the is67xt with a 25mm Noctua fan Or even the slim variant?? Noctua industrial or regular...would probably still make it cheaper

[@FuryenLT]

Hey quick question- all the test results for x77 with "stock" fan - is it with the intake configuration like you advised in the beginning of the video?

[@user-uy7kj2ew6g]

"I want to know if all the test data in your video was obtained by reversing the fan to draw air inward, is that correct?"

[@electr0pvnch]

i have a dan- h2o build with a 5800x3d cooled by air with the thermalright x47 full copper and a noctua a12x25 with 2 t30s extracting on top, do you think this cooler is better? or worth the change?

[@MachinesMore]

This cooler is better for sure, but if it’s for the A4-H2O you won’t have enough clearance.

[@gilbertosilva3461]

Anyone know if this could cool a 13th gen i7 ? I have a terra too

[@chibiribiri]

Probably not worth. But actually I'm thinking about switching from my L12 Ghost S1 Edition to this one... Seems now it would fit on my Aorus B550I. The L12S didn't fit because there was to less clearance between cooler/fan and vrm heatsinks... Do you think or can you check, if the L12Sx77 fits on an B550I aorus?

[@chibiribiri]

Update: Just bought it, delivered today. Works perfectly on Aorus B550-I :3

[@denisnatera3633]

I have this case with the id cooling 67 xt and the silverstone air slimmer 120 goated combo

[@user-ov5ot6bd8p]

Air Slimmer 120 is really underrated

[@denisnatera3633]

@@user-ov5ot6bd8p found it in a 120 slim fan group test video

[@Deadfaisal]

the 7800x3d will be fully okay? i'll be using it for everything like editing in after effect and streaming

[@Deadfaisal]

and can i fit the 4080 super trinty from zotac?

[@MachinesMore]

If for the Terra then no, that card makes the CPU side too low for the l12sx77.

[@pareli203]

What would be the absolute best cooler for a 53-55mm card? I've looked at many, but there are so many different opinions and tests. Any recommendations?

[@MachinesMore]

Position 3-4 leaves 62-67mm for the CPU cooler. If you have 67 I’d avoid the IS-67 XT due to noise. From what I’ve tested the ID Cooling IS-55 is very good. With some boards there’s one orientation in this case where the fan has to touch the bottom of the case in order to fit but otherwise it’s a great choice.

[@alianejeromelapasaran9224]

@@MachinesMore I'm using zotac 4070 ti and the CPU side clearance is 65-ish using IS-55 with 25mm Arctic fan, cooling a 13600k, with no clearance at all. The noise is there but It drops the temp significantly. If you have FE I think, you can go 77mm cooler. ID Cooler is great with 0-1mm clearance on the Ram Sticks and all.

[@pareli203]

@@MachinesMore

[@Riktamorty]

I have an amazing 4070 Ti Super MSI Aero (Blower card with Custom Fan curve) x Ryzen 7800X3D (GPU + CPU undervolt*) in my black fractal terra ….w/ Noctua NH-12S. I’m going to upgrade as I’m within the 30-day window and upgrade + the 25mm black fan combo (as I have the slim 15mm noctua black + 4 pipe / 70mm cpu cooler variation all within 30 day window) I will limit my GPU space but honestly, it’s fine. This will help my system perform better and preform 3-5 degrees better minimum. Also because I currently have my slim noctua cooler fan in the exhaust configuration - unfortunately. Any feedback will help. I think I’m making the right move although this is definitely restricting all users to 50-52 Actually - please look below: *I’m not sure if you mentioned the offset screws for the MOBO. It’s a good 7mm I think from the middle dividing panel. I’ll most likely remove those too to install the 7mm deeper 77mm cpu cooler variant. Perhaps I can get away without removing the MOBO Offset and keeping as is but then it would be REALLY close to the Slats on the side panel. Do you think the offset of the MOBO has any pragmatism that comes into play? P.S. I see the MOBO offset screws still installed as advertised on their ‘1’ Setting configuration (43mm GPU / 77mm CPU Clearance).. man that heatsink is RIGHT up next to the side-panel. I wonder how that claustrophobia affects things… Thanks!

[@That_Dude88]

How did you get your power supply to face that way. My lian li 750 won't cuz of the plug.

[@MachinesMore]

If I recall, I plugged it in first and then attached it.

[@mexicanhalloween]

so with VLP memory you could fit a T30 under there, interesting

[@rahul875]

Sugo 17 build plz

[@richardfarmer6570]

I have a dual slot GPU and when I first got my Terra I tried a 25mm fan on a Big Shuriken 3 which put the fan against the side panel. Well quickly switched to a 15mm fan after hearing the turbulence. I am currently using a Thermalright AXP-100 Full Copper with a NF-A12x25 at 69mm and performs great and is very quiet. Price wise it is even worse than the L12Sx77.

[@megadeth8592]

what gpu are you using?

[@richardfarmer6570]

@@megadeth8592 Inno3d 4070 Ti X3.

[@owenlantoss]

Hello Dear Sir! Could you do a review of the new Thermaltake Assassin Mini and pit it against the Silver Soul 135 and the 207XT-Slim for a big 135mm cpu cooler battle (maybe even include the D12L with its 145mm)?

[@MY-qi8wq]

L12S is 70 mm, not 72. Using the x77 forces the 2-slot GPU to be flush with the side panel, which probably causes more noise overall (vs. using L12S where you can have a 7 mm gap there). The heatsink is probably optimized for A12x15, which is why you see little improvements by swapping to A12x25. That said, at lower noise levels A12x25 will likely give a much bigger advantage. I have seen tests where the L12S rapidly deteriorates in cooling performance once the heatload is above 150W. With the extra two heatpipes, the x77 might offer a bigger advantage on higher power CPUs with lower heat flux density (e.g. 14600K or above). The L12Sx77 has flat heatpipe ends, which asaik were not seen in Noctua coolers before.

[@MachinesMore]

You’re absolutely right on the L12S height, pinning up a comment now. As for the gpu on the side panel, with founders edition 2 slot cards there is enough of an air gap, such that I have not noticed any turbulent noises. The flow through section likely helps as well. In the build video at about 29 minutes in I demonstrate the noise from the GPU. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIKkZKytfq2YqdU

[@MY-qi8wq]

@@MachinesMore Great, thanks for the info. It really is the perfect cooler for Terra then, assuming using a 2-slot card.

[@Cyrus10000]

Danke!

[@MachinesMore]

Thank you for the support!!

[@user-ov5ot6bd8p]

Does this beat the Nh-c14s with double fans?

[@MachinesMore]

If you can fit c14s even with single fan under, I would do that.

[@user-ov5ot6bd8p]

@@MachinesMore Thinking about T1 reference

[@CarterCovers55]

But does it Phanteks T30?

[@MachinesMore]

That’s a job for the L12Sx82.

[@CarterCovers55]

@@MachinesMore haha, dang. Maybe if Noctua makes a 30mm fan they'll consider it!

[@alflasalle]

Thanks a lot for that Test. Looks really nice but the Fan Noise at all, doesn't matter if it's in front or behind would drive me nutz, also what about Dust? There's no Dust Filters at all, and 4 sure u will have that thingy full of it after a couple of months.

[@megadeth8592]

a cheap pc vaccum/air blower is an easy fix for not having filters

[@9thgensi227]

Nice hotbox

[@birdbathbash]

If only they went full copper... lol

[@SB-pf5rc]

looks like this wouldn't fit my meshilicious

[@MachinesMore]

Regular L12S is ok there.

[@SB-pf5rc]

@@MachinesMore yep, using one. just trying to add information to your great vid

[@ciaranplunkett1395]

"Like it's made for the Terra!" This cooler reduces GPU compatibility to 43x131 / 33x145 Not a single RTX 4080/Super now fits. Only 4070 Ti Super that fits now is INNO3D. You don't have to regurgitate promotional talking points when they're obviously wrong.

[@TheTastefulThickness]

It's just too skinny for a serious build. Need more cooler in these small boxes.