Noctua NH-L9i Low Profile CPU Cooler

Performance numbers on the i3 were nearly identical to the stock cooler. The Noctua kept it 1-2 degrees cooler, and that is impressive for a cooler that is as low in height as it is. What I did get, was beautiful silence! My test bench is open air. And ratcheting up the utilization, the cooling solution was q-u-i-e-t. *Much* more quiet than the Intel 80mm solution. And that is a HTPC requirement. If your equipment is not going to be generating enough heat to saturate the cooler… what are you buying it for? In my mind, blessed quiet. Plus, I am a big admirer of how the cooler looks. It just reeks of quality from the moment you open the box, to the point you attach it to your motherboard. And with a 6 year warranty, you have a company that will stand behind it. Think about it, not much else in the computer world has that long of a warranty. So you darn well better be sure you will not be getting them back due to defects or poor workmanship. Just saying…   :) 

The cooler is a splendid example of a low profile *quiet* HTPC/Small form factor air cooler where space is at a premium, and reliability is a must. If you need quiet performance for your low wattage CPU… look no further, you have found your solution!