This charming Noctua cooler completely transformed my gaming PC.

About a year ago, I decided to take on a personal challenge. I wanted to explore how compact I could make a computer while integrating the most advanced gaming hardware available. This process led me to make various modifications, hardware changes, and constant adjustments to the fan configuration. After many months and considerable expenses, I feel that my PC has reached its final form. All of this was possible thanks to an investment of around $60 in a small Noctua cooler that has transformed my experience with a small form factor (SFF) PC.

The cooler in question is the NH-L9x65. It comes in two color options: chromax.black and silver, the latter featuring one of Noctua's iconic beige and brown fans. I opted for the silver version because I like how it looks; however, what really stands out about this cooler is its design. With a height of just 65 mm, it is ideal for my PC, which is assembled in a mini-ITX Fractal Terra chassis, recognized by many as one of the best in its category.

Previously, I tried to fit an RTX 4090, which limited the cooler space to about 55 mm. However, with the arrival of the RTX 5090, a dual-slot graphics card model, additional space was freed up to accommodate a larger cooler. My previous option, the ID-Cooling IS-55, barely managed to keep the Ryzen 7 9700X cool. The transition to the RTX 5090 not only allowed for more space but also enabled me to install a more powerful CPU, significantly benefiting performance.

The NH-L9x65 may be taller, but it’s not bulkier, which is one of the reasons I like it so much. Instead of the standard 120 mm fan, it uses a slim 92 mm fan, the NF-A9x14, making installation much simpler, especially on mini-ITX boards where space is limited. Compared to the IS-55, which required cutouts in the cooler to accommodate the RAM and motherboard heatsinks, the L9x65 installs effortlessly, as it doesn’t protrude significantly from the CPU socket.

However, the real difference lies in its performance. Despite its small size, the NH-L9x65 is an exceptional cooler and has transformed my SFF setup. Initially, I had opted for a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, but considering the space limitations and the cooler, I decided to stick with an 8-core model. Thanks to the NH-L9x65, it’s now possible to use one of AMD’s best gaming processors, and the results are impressive.

The temperatures in my setup are noteworthy: with the Noctua cooler, the PC doesn't exceed 50 degrees Celsius at idle, and while they rise under heavy loads, they remain within a safe range, peaking at 86.7 degrees Celsius during load testing. This translates to exceptional performance, especially for such a small chassis housing high-demand hardware. Even when I pushed the system to its limit, the temperature levels remained acceptable, with remarkable efficiency compared to the previous experience, where I constantly battled with noise and high temperatures.

One aspect I initially assumed I would sacrifice due to the size of the NH-L9x65 was the noise level. However, surprisingly, this cooler is not only effective but also remarkably quiet, reaching only 59.1 decibels under maximum load. This is quite manageable, especially compared to the noise generated by a refrigerator or normal conversation. In fact, the new setup allows me to enjoy a smooth gaming experience without the constant fear of fan noise distracting me or the system overheating.

In summary, investing in a new CPU cooler has significantly improved both performance and tranquility in my compact PC.