Working our way through the Noctua Computex 2026 booth, we spotted a prototype low-profile cooler that we’d love to use for our next mini-ITX build. Purpose-built for AM5 CPUs, the setup is just 70mm tall, including fan, with equally impressive RAM tolerances to boot.
Sat on top of an ROG Strix X870-I Gaming WiFi motherboard, complete with Kingston Fury Beat DDR5, the precision on display from this cooler is mightily impressive. The heatsink design offers 35mm of RAM clearance, making it suitable for most DIMMs while still maintaining a low profile.
Noctua describes this prototype as a “completely reconceived NH-L12 series heatsink.” We know that it sports six heatpipes, as well as an LBC (Low Base Convexity) base, allowing for optimal contact with AM4 and AM5 CPU hotspots without any extraneous offsetting.
This cooler also arrives part and parcel with a full-fat NF-A12x25 G2 fan, Noctua’s current 120mm flagship. While there are no performance numbers to share at the moment, I’m confident this blower’s up to the task of keeping both heatsink and CPU cool.
As a reminder, this cooler is still in the prototype stage of development. However, Noctua is aiming to release the final retail version during Q2 2027, so expect to hear more on pricing and availability closer to that window.
Further sweetening the value and performance of this prototype, Noctua plans to package the cooler with its latest NT-H2 thermal compound and NA-TPG1 thermal paste guard. Speaking from experience, that’s some expectedly solid paste, while the latter accessory is invaluable for keeping the edges of your Ryzen CPU free of grey goo and looking fresh.
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