Noctua NH-P1 Installation Manual

Introduction

Congratulations on choosing the Noctua NH-P1. The NH-P1 is Noctua's first passive CPU cooler, custom-designed for fanless operation. In enclosures with good natural convection, its six heatpipes and thick, widely spaced heatsink fins enable it to cool modern high-end CPUs with low to moderate heat dissipation completely passively. Please consult our setup guidelines for optimal results.

This manual will guide you through the installation process of the SecuFirm2+™ mounting system step by step.

Before installation:

• Consult the compatibility list on our website (www.noctua.at/compatibility) to verify compatibility with your motherboard.
• Ensure your PC case offers sufficient clearance and check for compatibility with other components (e.g., tall RAM modules).
• Double-check that the heatsink and fan clips do not make contact with VGA cards or other PCIe cards.

Noctua cannot be held responsible for any damage or losses caused by compatibility issues.

For assistance, check the FAQs on our website (www.noctua.at/faqs) or contact our support team at support@noctua.at.

Multilingual versions of this manual are available on our website: www.noctua.at/manuals.

Important Guidelines for Passive Cooling:

For optimal results with passively cooled systems using the NH-P1, follow general guidelines. Please refer to detailed recommendations at https://noctua.at/en/nh-p1-setup-guidelines.

The NH-P1 requires either a fanless PC case with good natural convection, an open benchtable setup, or a PC case with fans for full performance.

We offer a list of recommended cases for completely fanless systems: https://ncc.noctua.at/s/nh-p1-case-recommendations.

The NH-P1 is not suitable for overclocking or CPUs with high heat loads. Cooling performance is specified using the Noctua Standardised Performance Rating (NSPR). Refer to the CPU compatibility list for expected performance on specific CPUs: https://ncc.noctua.at/s/nh-p1-cpus.

For improved performance headroom, Noctua recommends adding a near-inaudible 120mm fan like the NF-A12x25 LS-PWM.

Intel LGA115x & LGA1200 Installation

Required Mounting Parts

• 1x NM-IBP2 backplate
• 2x NM-IMB2 mounting bars
• 4x NM-IPS1 plastic spacers
• 4x NM-ITS1-TX thumb screws

Step 1: Removing the motherboard

If your case does not have a cut-out at the rear of the motherboard tray, you must remove the motherboard to install the backplate.

Step 2: Attaching the backplate

The supplied backplate installs over the motherboard's stock backplate; do not remove the stock backplate.

Place the backplate on the rear side of the motherboard, ensuring the bolts pass through the mounting holes. Please ensure the three cut-outs in the supplied backplate align with the screws of the motherboard's stock backplate.

Step 3: Installing the mounting bars

First, place the plastic spacers onto the bolts of the backplate, then attach the NM-IMB2 mounting bars.

Choose the alignment of the mounting bars according to the desired final orientation of the cooler: Orientation A or Orientation B.

Make sure that the curved sides of the mounting bars are pointing outwards.

Fix the mounting bars using the 4 thumb screws.

Gently tighten the thumb screws until they stop, but do not use excessive force (max. torque 0.6 Nm).

Step 4: Applying the thermal paste

If there are residual traces of thermal paste or thermal pads on your CPU, clean them using the supplied NA-CW1 cleaning wipe. Then press a drop (3-4mm diameter) of NT-H2 onto the centre of the heat-spreader.

Applying too much thermal paste will lower heat conductivity and cooling performance!

Step 5: Fastening the heatsink to the CPU

First, remove the protection cover from the bottom side of the heatsink.

Place the heatsink onto the CPU and screw it to the screw threads of the mounting bars. Perform 2-3 turns on each screw, then repeat until both are fully tightened.

Gently tighten the screws until they stop, but do not use excessive force (max. torque 0.6 Nm).

Step 6: Fan setup (Optional)

The NH-P1's cooling performance can be significantly improved by adding a near-silent low-speed fan like the NF-A12x25 LS-PWM. To install the fan using the supplied clips, decide on the fan's side and identify the correct hole set (1, 2, or 3).

Place the fan on the heatsink and pull the clips over the fan to hold it in place.

Then insert the tips of the fan clips into the correct hole set.

Connect the fan to one of the fan headers of your motherboard.

Intel LGA20xx Installation

Required Mounting Parts

• 2x NM-IMB2 mounting bars
• 4x NM-IBT2 bolts
• 4x NM-ITS1-TX thumb screws

Step 1: Installing the mounting bars

First, screw the NM-IBT2 bolts into the screw threads of the LGA20xx socket frame.

Then, place the NM-IMB2 mounting bars onto the bolts.

Choose the alignment of the mounting bars according to the desired final orientation of the cooler: Orientation A or Orientation B.

Make sure that the curved sides of the mounting bars are pointing outwards.

Fix the mounting bars using the 4 thumb screws.

Gently tighten the thumb screws until they stop, but do not use excessive force (max. torque 0.6 Nm).

Step 2: Applying the thermal paste

If there are residual traces of thermal paste or thermal pads on your CPU, clean them using the supplied NA-CW1 cleaning wipe. Then press a drop (3-4mm diameter) of NT-H2 onto the centre of the heat-spreader.

Applying too much thermal paste will lower heat conductivity and cooling performance!

Step 3: Fastening the heatsink to the CPU

First, remove the protection cover from the bottom side of the heatsink.

Place the heatsink onto the CPU and screw it to the screw threads of the mounting bars. Perform 2-3 turns on each screw, then repeat until both are fully tightened.

Gently tighten the screws until they stop, but do not use excessive force (max. torque 0.6 Nm).

Step 4: Fan setup (Optional)

The NH-P1's cooling performance can be significantly improved by adding a near-silent low-speed fan like the NF-A12x25 LS-PWM. To install the fan using the supplied clips, decide on the fan's side and identify the correct hole set (1, 2, or 3).

Place the fan on the heatsink and pull the clips over the fan to hold it in place.

Then insert the tips of the fan clips into the correct hole set.

Connect the fan to one of the fan headers of your motherboard.

AMD Installation

Required Mounting Parts

• AMD stock backplate (included with the motherboard)
• 2x NM-AMB8 mounting bars
• 4x NM-APS4 plastic spacers (for AM4)
• 4x NM-APS5 plastic spacers (for AM2(+)/AM3(+)/FM1/FM2(+))
• 4x NM-ALS1-TX long screws

Step 1: Removing the stock retention module / Putting the backplate in place

If your motherboard comes with a pre-installed CPU cooler retention module, please remove it by unscrewing it from the backplate. The SecuFirm2+™ mounting system installs directly to the stock backplate.

If your motherboard does not come with a pre-installed CPU cooler retention module, the AMD stock backplate should be included with the motherboard accessories. Place the backplate on the rear side of the motherboard, ensuring the screw threads of the backplate stick through the mounting holes. If your motherboard does not include a stock backplate, please contact Noctua customer support at support@noctua.at.

Step 2: Attaching the mounting bars

Choose the correct set of plastic spacers and holes on the mounting bars based on your motherboard socket: AM4 or AM2(+)/AM3(+)/FM1/FM2+.

Use the grey NM-APS4 plastic spacers for AM4 and the white NM-APS5 plastic spacers for AM2(+)/AM3(+)/FM1/FM2+.

Use the set of holes marked with "4" for AM4 and the set of holes marked with "3" for AM2(+)/AM3(+)/FM1/FM2+.

First, place the plastic spacers onto the screw threads of the backplate, then fix the mounting bars using the four long screws.

Make sure that the curved sides of the mounting bars are pointing inwards.

Step 3: Applying the thermal paste

If there are residual traces of thermal paste or thermal pads on your CPU, clean them using the supplied NA-CW1 cleaning wipe. Then press 4 small dots (~2mm diameter) near the corners plus 1 dot (~3-4mm diameter) of NT-H2 onto the centre of the heat-spreader.

Applying too much thermal paste will lower heat conductivity and cooling performance!

Step 4: Fastening the heatsink to the CPU

First, remove the protection cover from the bottom side of the heatsink.

Place the heatsink onto the CPU and screw it to the screw threads of the mounting bars. Perform 2-3 turns on each screw, then repeat until both are fully tightened.

Gently tighten the screws until they stop, but do not use excessive force (max. torque 0.6 Nm).

Step 5: Fan setup (Optional)

The NH-P1's cooling performance can be significantly improved by adding a near-silent low-speed fan like the NF-A12x25 LS-PWM. To install the fan using the supplied clips, decide on the fan's side and identify the correct hole set (1, 2, or 3).

Place the fan on the heatsink and pull the clips over the fan to hold it in place.

Then insert the tips of the fan clips into the correct hole set.

Connect the fan to one of the fan headers of your motherboard.

Warranty, Support, and FAQs

Even with high-grade products and strict quality control, the possibility of defects cannot be eliminated entirely. Noctua aims to provide the highest possible level of reliability and convenience by offering a warranty period of 6 years and direct, fast, and straightforward RMA service.

Should you encounter any problems with your NH-P1, please do not hesitate to contact our support team at support@noctua.at.

Please also consult the FAQ section on our website: www.noctua.at/faqs.