Product Comparison: SilverStone AR06 vs Noctua NH-L9I

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SilverStone AR06 Low-Profile Heatsink CPU Cooler with 92mm PWM Fan

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Noctua NH-L9I Low-Profile Quiet CPU Cooler

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General Specifications

Brand

SilverStone Technology

Noctua

Model

SST-AR06

NH-L9i

Origin

Taiwan

Austria

About the Product

The Argon series coolers are designed to provide the best cooling solutions for your CPU. The Argon AR06, at 58mm high including fan, features four 6mm thick copper heat pipes connect to the base using heat-pipe direct contact (HDC) technology. A highly efficient 92mm PWM fan tuned for optimal balance of airflow and noise is included to provide up to 95W of cooling power (or more in case with efficient airflow). For users requiring enhanced performance in space constrained applications, the high quality and affordable AR06 is a great choice.

The NH-L9i is a premium quality quiet CPU cooler for Intel LGA115x based HTPCs and Small Form Factor systems. At a super-low profile of only 37mm, the NH-L9i is ideal for extremely slim cases and due to its 95x95mm footprint, it provides full compatibility with tall RAM modules and VGA cards on mini-ITX mainboards. The custom designed SecuFirm2™ mounting system for LGA115x makes installation a child’s play and thanks to the highly optimised NF-A9x14 premium fan that supports fully automatic speed control via PWM, the NH-L9i runs remarkably quiet. Topped off with Noctua’s renowned NT-H1 thermal compound, the NH-L9i fuses everything users have come to expect from Noctua’s larger coolers into a super-compact package for slim HTPC systems.

Key Specs

Cooling Type

Air Cooling

Max. Airflow

40.2 CFM

33.8 CFM

Number of Pipes

What customers say about "Key Specs"

SilverStone AR06 Low-Profile Heatsink CPU Cooler with 92mm PWM Fan

For starters this is a quiet, low profile cooler which does work better than the stock (Intel) cooler.
Effective (my CPU never reaches above 80 c. This may seem a bit high, but I have this thing in a small case with limited airflow)
Dropped temps by 20 to 30 Celsius over the stock cooler. Very satisfied, great deal. Noise is minimal with good airflow.
Keeps the FX-6300 it's cooling nice & cool, typical gaming temps never seem to exceed 45C.
Excellent cooling capacity for the size and the price is good. Comes with thermal compound.

Noctua NH-L9I Low-Profile Quiet CPU Cooler

Huge upgrade in terms of 'db' versus intel's stock cooler
Given the clearance difference between the top of the fan and the PSU I might have gotten something slightly taller, but I am very happy with this little cooler. Quiet, easy to install, good cooling.
At 2500 p.m. I can hear a lot of airflow, but I don't hear anything resembling motor hum or squeal. When I let the MB fan management work in Standard mode it runs at about 850-1150 RPM, and I don't hear a thing.
Fantastic, luxurious, silent, and icy cool. I test dozens of coolers under 40mm for my system integration gigs and custom SFF system, like the NFC-Systems S4 Mini.
Was expecting better temps. I put this in a compact media pc build, the case has room and plenty of airflow but the i3 7100 still hits 80 under a load. I've resented it 3 times thinking i didn't put enough paste or something.

Size & Weight

Height

2.28 in.

1.45 in.

Width

4.1 in.

3.74 in.

Depth

3.6 in.

3.74 in.

Weight

0.6 lbs.

0.93 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

SilverStone AR06 Low-Profile Heatsink CPU Cooler with 92mm PWM Fan

In general this is a great CPU cooler for its size. If you are looking to build a system within a limited space, you can't go wrong with the AR06.
Its the perfect size for my HTPC case, and the heat sink dissipates heat extremely well so 4 stars.
Excellent cooling capacity for the size and the price is good. Comes with thermal compound.
Lastly, I wouldn't call this cooler a high performance one compared to everything else in the market. But this coolers primary advantages are its size, quiet operation, and lastly price.
This heatsink is kind of fiddly to install, both because of the way it mounts and because of its size. It is difficult to tell when it is properly seated on the cpu.

Noctua NH-L9I Low-Profile Quiet CPU Cooler

Smallest height cpu cooler from one of the greatest fan selling brands (only 37mm total!). Ideal for htpc builds.
Used this in a low profile build in a fractal design Node 202. It works perfectly, and despite airflow my CPU temp is well below the stock cooler in a full sized case with the same hardware.
The design is pure gold for spacing in a micro itx case. You don't have to worry about ram size or hitting the GPU. It actually makes cable management easier with the saved space.
An extremely compact heatsink/fan combo that can't be beat for the size. You don't understand just how compact this is until you get it.
Great size buy obviously doesnt do what a tower cooler would, especially since the prices are comparable, only use this if you have to, get a Noctua tower if it'll fit you won't reget it.

Features

Socket Compatibility

Intel:, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, AMD:, AM2, AM3, FM1, FM2

Intel:, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, AMD:, AM4

Speed

2500 RPM

Cooled CPU (Max. TDP)

95 W

Noise Level

28.3 dBA

23.6 dBA

Number of Coolers

Bearing Type

Rifle Bearing

Fluid Dynamic, SSO2

Heat-Exchanger Material

Copper

Power Connector Type

4-pin

Extras

Designed for low profile system at 58mm tall, Four Ø6mm heat-pipes and aluminum fins for excellent heat conducting efficiency, Heat-pipe direct contact (HDC) technology, Includes compact 92mm PWM fan for excellent cooling and low noise

37mm low profile, 100% RAM compatibility, 100% compatibility with PCIe cards on mini-ITX, Low-Noise Adaptor, Custom-designed SecuFirm2™ mounting for LGA115x, NT-H1 thermal compound

What customers say about "Features"

SilverStone AR06 Low-Profile Heatsink CPU Cooler with 92mm PWM Fan

This is a very quiet, and it has more cooling power than the stock Intel heatsink. My computer is on my desk about 3 feet from my head, and I almost never hear the fan.
With the Silverstone heatsink it runs at 40 degrees Celsius, so this thing does its' job and does it well. It is whisper quiet even at 100% speed (which is 2339 RPM).
Works well, especially in conjunction with fan speed software. Quiet and works well to cool, even at 35% capacity.
Fan speed and noise is constant for the most part, but it increases to higher – louder levels during any tests or activity.
Very easy and almost tool-less installation
Nothing other than the fan being just a tad bit noisy

Noctua NH-L9I Low-Profile Quiet CPU Cooler

I can't say clearly how much was the delidding and how much was the Noctua, but I will say this: manually adjusting fan speed to 100%, the Noctua sounds about 25% quieter, but the big deal here is the optional in-line resistor.
When running prime 95, it lowered my max temp 10 degrees. That did require running at full speed, and it is audible, a little quieter than a stock Intel fan. But it is 10 degrees cooler doing it. I used Arctic Silver 5 paste.
Extremely quiet, much more so than the stock Intel unit. Barely audible at baseline, and increases in speed are not very noticeable.
Under torture test, the fan speed goes up a level, but it is still pretty quiet.
I was a little disappointed that the Noctua at high fan speed didn't keep the CPU cooler, maybe due to limitations of the case ventilation.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

6 year(s)

Certifications