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Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black — 420 AIO
Corsair

Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black

420 AIO

90
/ 100
From $349
VS
Noctua NH-U12A — Air tower
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
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Thermals

Tie

Compared on the thermals sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Install

Tie

Compared on the install sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Noise

Tie

Compared on the noise sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Noctua NH-U12A

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Noctua NH-U12A more score per dollar ($109 vs $349).

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

Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black versus Noctua NH-U12A — full spec comparison
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.

Which is the better value, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT · Black or Noctua NH-U12A? +

Noctua NH-U12A — more score per dollar ($109 vs $349). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.