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Noctua NH-U12S redux vs be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3

The Noctua NH-U12S redux is the easier cooler to live with: one 120mm fan, 158mm height, 5 heatpipes and a reputation for quiet, long-lasting fans and simple mounting. The be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 is the stronger performer on paper: 6 heatpipes, two 120mm fans, higher airflow and a 155mm height that fits more cases. Owners of both report good build quality; the Noctua is the safer pick for tight, quiet builds, the be quiet! the pick when you want more cooling headroom.

  • Choose the Noctua NH-U12S redux if you want a proven single-fan tower that runs quietly and is simple to install and maintain.
  • Choose the be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 if you want more heatsink and dual fans for higher heat loads, and your case clears a 155mm cooler.

Prices

  • Noctua NH-U12S redux: $61.68 at anafrashop.com (last seen Nov 13)
  • be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3: $39.90 at Newegg.com (last seen Nov 13)
  • Difference: the be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 is $21.78 cheaper than the Noctua NH-U12S redux at the latest prices (Nov 13)
Noctua
Noctua NH-U12S redux CPU Cooler

Noctua NH-U12S redux

Noctua NH-U12S redux CPU Cooler

$61.68at anafrashop.comChecked Nov 13
See all prices and details
Visit anafrashop.com
Pros
  • Quiet at full speed, around 22 dB
  • Light at 755g, less stress on the board
  • Single fan means fewer cables and less to fail
  • Noctua's long record for fan durability and mounting kits
Cons
  • Only 5 heatpipes and one fan, so less headroom for hot CPUs
  • 158mm height rules out some slim cases
  • Brown color does not suit every build
be quiet!
be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 120mm CPU Cooler

be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3

be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 120mm CPU Cooler

4.5(86 ratings)
$39.90at Newegg.comChecked Nov 13
See all prices and details
Visit Newegg.com
Pros
  • 6 heatpipes and two fans for more cooling capacity
  • Higher airflow and static pressure at full speed
  • 155mm height fits more cases than the Noctua
  • Low 14 dB(A) mode for near-idle quiet
Cons
  • Heavier at 1.07kg
  • Louder at 34.8 dB(A) when the fans ramp up
  • Two fans add cabling and a second point of failure
  • Socket list given is AMD only, so check Intel brackets

What separates them

Noctua NH-U12S reduxbe quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3
Heatpipes5 x 6mm6 x 6mm
FansOne 120mm PWM fanTwo 120mm fans
Height158mm155mm
Max fan speed1500rpm2000rpm
Airflow93.4 m3/h101.2 m3/h at full speed
Noise rangeAbout 22 dB at full speed14 to 34.8 dB(A) depending on mode
Weight755g1.07kg
Socket support listedBroad Intel and AMD mountingAM5 and AM4 listed

Price history

  • Noctua NH-U12S redux: lowest $59.95 on Nov 13 at Amazon.
  • be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3: lowest $39.90 on Nov 13 at Newegg.com.

Prices at every store

Noctua NH-U12S redux

  • Quiet PCNew

    In stock

    $77.12+ $42.99 shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Quiet PC
  • anafrashop.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $61.68Checked Nov 13
    Visit anafrashop.com
  • SabrePC.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $68.07Checked Nov 13
    Visit SabrePC.com
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $74.95Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 8 stores and price history →

be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3

  • Newegg.comNew

    In stock

    $39.90Checked Nov 13
    Visit Newegg.com
  • Newegg BusinessNew

    Availability unknown

    $39.90Checked Nov 13
    Visit Newegg Business
  • PoshmarkNew

    Availability unknown

    $40.00Checked Nov 13
    Visit Poshmark
  • WalmartNew

    Availability unknownSold by Newegg Inc.

    $41.89Checked Nov 13
    Visit Walmart

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
All 12 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecNoctua NH-U12S reduxbe quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3
Airflow93.40 m³/h59.6 / 101.2 CFM / m3/h
ColorBrownSilver
Noise Level22.4 dB14.0 / 26.5 / 34.8 dB(A)
Height158mm—
Width with fan125mm—
Fin depth45mm—
Fan size120mm—
Max fan speed1500rpm—
Low-noise fan speed1200rpm—
Fan connector4-pin PWM—
Weight755 g—
Number of heatpipes5—
Show all 26 specsShow fewer specs
SpecNoctua NH-U12S reduxbe quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3
Heatpipe diameter6 mm—
Max noise level22.10 dB—
Fan Diameter120 mm fan diameter—
size—120 mm
Overall dimensions—139 x 124 x 155 mm
Total weight—1.07 kg
AMD sockets—AM5 / AM4
Number of fans—2
Heatsink dimensions—114 x 124 x 155 mm
Heatpipes

What reviewers say

Noctua NH-U12S redux

Owners of the redux line generally praise the quiet fan, simple install and Noctua mounting, and treat it as a sensible value air cooler. Criticism centers on the stripped accessory bundle and the fact that it is a single-fan, single-tower design.

What people mention
  • NoisePraisedOwners say the 120mm fan stays quiet at idle and moderate loads and is tolerable at full speed.
  • InstallationPraisedBuyers describe the Noctua mounting as clear and easy to fit.
  • AccessoriesCriticisedReviewers note the redux bundle is leaner than the standard NH-U12S, with no second fan bracket.
  • Cooling capacityMixedIt handles mainstream CPUs well, but owners say a single tower and fan leave less headroom for very hot chips.

be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3

  • 4.5 / 586 ratings

Rated 4.5 out of 5 across 86 ratings, owners treat it as a solid quiet air cooler for Ryzen systems. Praise centers on low noise and cooling for the size; complaints are mostly about height and fan noise at full speed.

What people mention
  • NoisePraisedOwners say it runs quietly at idle and moderate loads.
  • CoolingPraisedReviewers report solid temperatures on mid-range Ryzen chips.
  • HeightCriticisedSome buyers find the 155 mm height tight in smaller cases.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a quiet build?
The Noctua NH-U12S redux. Its single fan tops out around 22 dB, while the be quiet! reaches 34.8 dB(A) at full speed. The be quiet! is quieter only in its low 14 dB(A) mode.
Which cools a hotter CPU better?
The be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3. It has 6 heatpipes against 5, two fans against one, and more airflow at full speed.
Will either fit my case?
Check clearance. The Noctua is 158mm tall and the be quiet! 155mm, so the be quiet! clears slightly shorter cases. Both are 120mm-class towers.
Is the be quiet! worth stepping up to?
Yes if you run a high-wattage CPU or want dual-fan headroom and your case fits 155mm. For a mid-range CPU in a quiet build, the Noctua is enough.
Which lasts longer?
Both use durable rifle or SSO-style bearings and have good owner reports. Noctua is known for long fan life and free mounting kits for new sockets, which helps the cooler stay usable across upgrades.
Does the be quiet! work on Intel sockets?
The listed sockets are AM5 and AM4. Confirm Intel LGA mounting is included or available before buying for an Intel build.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best CPU coolers for AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
—
6 / 6 mm
Fan dimensions—120 mm
Fan speed—2000 rpm
Air pressure—2.41 mm H2O
Bearing technology—Rifle
Full-speed noiseMixed
At 2000 rpm the fans become clearly audible, though few run them there.