NL-ACF1

I'm choosing to start with the test results for noise for this review as it plays a pivotal role in evaluating its performance. In simple terms, it's the quietest liquid cooler I've tested, and by some margin.

At 41.5 dB(A), the NL-LC1-36 is a whole 10 dB(A) quieter at full speed compared to the Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, an excellent cooler in its own right with high-speed P12 Pro fans. It's also 5 dB(A) quieter than the Cooler Master MasterLiquidCore II, which was previously one of the better of the bunch for noise levels, and MSI CoreLiquid P13 360.

The NL-LC1-42 is a touch louder than the NL-LC1-36 by 1 dB(A). Larger fans are usually able to spin slower and produce less noise while producing ample airflow, however, that's not true for Noctua's G2 fans used here. The 140 mm model is rated to 24.8 dB(A); the 120 mm model to 22.5 dB(A). So, it checks out that there's a 1-2 dB(A) difference between them.

On an experiential level, I've tested all of the coolers included in the data within a couple of days of each other under the same conditions. I've been stood alongside each cooler running at 100% duty cycle for hour after hour, doing my best to focus on my work rather than the constant droning noise of fans whirring beside me. The Noctua is noteworthy for how little I noticed it. I had to double check my BIOS to ensure it was indeed running at 100%. It was, it's just incredibly quiet, and in such a way as to be far less noticeable to my ears than others.

Looking over the charts, the NL-LC1-36 is among the top performers in every test. From gaming in Baldur's Gate 3, to X264 and Prime95, with a Core i7 14700K, the Noctua NL-LC1-36 maintains some of the lowest average CPU temperatures of all the liquid coolers tested. At 230 W, our most demanding test, it outperforms all other 360 mm liquid coolers.

I like to review 360 mm liquid coolers to keep things consistent. It's the most popular size, and I can get comparative results. Though I do have the NL-LC1-42 to hand, so I thought I'd best put it through the ringer, too.

The NL-LC1-42, unsurprisingly, delivers the lowest temperatures in every test. All except one, the noise test that I spoke about earlier, but that's within spec and still the second-lowest for noise of the lot. It's even a couple of degrees lower than the Liquid Freezer III Pro during our most demanding test, keeping a Core i7 14700K at a chill at 65 °C, even at a fairly steady 230 W thermal load.