Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Alpenföhn Brocken 4 vs Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black: Comparison
Alpenföhn Brocken 4 vs Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black: the noise level difference
These two are close on paper, and noise level is the only measure that separates them at all: Alpenföhn Brocken 4 22.8 dBA against Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black 22.6 dBA. Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black also leads on fan count, 1 on the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 versus 2 on the Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black. Add static pressure to that, 1.74 mmH2O on the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 versus 2.34 mmH2O on the Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black, and the pattern holds. Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black also leads on max speed, 1600 RPM on the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 versus 2000 RPM on the Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black.
Which should you buy, Alpenföhn Brocken 4 or Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black?
Buy the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 for noise-sensitive mid-to-high TDP builds and buyers wanting a dual-tower alternative to mainstream brands, though it is not the pick for RGB-themed builds and extreme overclocking chasing the absolute lowest temps. Take the Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black for buyers who want near-flagship cooling in a case too tight for a full dual-tower cooler. It is equally the pick for builders who want tall RAM clearance without giving up much thermal capacity. Avoid it for the heaviest overclocking, where the larger Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black, covered elsewhere on this site, has more headroom. Our rating of the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 (7.8/10): A genuinely quiet dual-tower cooler for buyers who value acoustics as much as raw thermal ceiling.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: cooler type, tower type, tower layout, rgb lighting and base material are identical here. They match on 3 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 and Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black differ on height?
Yes. Height reads 155 mm on the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 versus 158 mm on the Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black.
Is the Fan Size the same on the Alpenföhn Brocken 4 and Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black?
It is. Both are listed at 120 mm, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- Alpenföhn
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- Noctua
Cooler Type
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- Air Tower
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- Air Tower
Series
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
Tower Type
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- Single-Tower
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- Single-Tower
Model Number
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- 84000000205
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- NH-U12A chromax.black
Height
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- 155 mmBest
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- 158 mm-2%
Socket Compatibility
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- AMD AM4/AM5, Intel LGA1700/1200/115X/20XX
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1954/1851/1700/1200/115X
Tower Layout
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- Single-Tower
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- Single-Tower
Fan Count
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- 1-50%
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- 2Best
Noise Level
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- 22.8 dBA
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- 22.6 dBABest
RGB Lighting
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- No
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- No
Cooler Weight
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- 1098 gBest
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- 1220 g
Heatpipe Count
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- 6
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- 7
Base Material
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- Nickel-Plated Copper
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- Nickel-Plated Copper
Fan Size
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- 120 mm
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- 120 mm
Max Speed
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- 1600 RPM-20%
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- 2000 RPMBest
Airflow
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- 55.3 CFM-8%
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- 60.09 CFMBest
Static Pressure
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- 1.74 mmH2O-26%
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- 2.34 mmH2O
PWM Control
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- Yes
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- Yes
Lighting
- Alpenföhn Brocken 4
- None
- Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
- None
Which one should you pick?
Choose Alpenföhn Brocken 4 if you want the lower height (155 mm vs 158 mm).
Choose Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black if you want the higher fan count (2 vs 1), the lower noise level (22.6 dBA vs 22.8 dBA) and the higher max speed (2000 RPM vs 1600 RPM).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Alpenföhn Brocken 4 | Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Alpenföhn Brocken 4
7.8 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely quiet dual-tower cooler for buyers who value acoustics as much as raw thermal ceiling.
Noctua NH-U12A chromax.black
8.8 / 10 Expert Rating
Noctua's compact flagship proves a well-engineered single-tower can rival dual-tower coolers, at a real premium.