Corsair
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black
420 AIO
90
/ 100
From $349
VS
Noctua
Noctua NH-U12A
Air tower
90
/ 100
From $109
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black lands at 90 and Noctua NH-U12A at 90. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Pick Noctua NH-U12A if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black 90
vs 90 Noctua NH-U12A
Score breakdown
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black
90 thermals 90
noise 86
install 88
value 86
Noctua NH-U12A
90 thermals 90
noise 86
install 88
value 86
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black | Noctua NH-U12A |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 420 AIO | Air tower |
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black
Pros
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
Cons
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
Noctua NH-U12A
Pros
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
Cons
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
FAQ: Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black vs Noctua NH-U12A
Which is better, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black or Noctua NH-U12A? +
Both score 90 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black worth the price? +
At $349, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in thermals.
Is Noctua NH-U12A worth the price? +
At $109, Noctua NH-U12A delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in thermals.
Does Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black or Noctua NH-U12A last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.