NZXT has sent over the T120 CPU Cooler alongside the H5 Flow PC Case (read our review of the PC case here). Designed for entry – mid level PC builds, the NZXT T120 supports even the latest generation of Intel and AMD sockets.
Seeing that it is also long past due to upgrade from my stock AMD cooler, I installed it on my latest rig and ran a few test. And so here are my thoughts.
NZXT T120 Specifications
| Dimensions | Height: 120 mm Width: 66 mm Depth: 159 mm |
| Coldplate | Material: Copper Dimensions: 40 x 35mm |
| Heatsink | Aluminum |
| Heatpipes | Quantity: 4 Material: Copper |
| Fan | Model: F120P Static Pressure Fan Quantity: 1 Dimension: 120 x 120 x 26mm Speed: 500-1,800 + 300 RPM Air Flow: 21.67 – 78.02 CFM Noise: 17.9 – 30.6dBA Bearing: Fluid Dynamic Bearing |
| Compatible Sockets | Intel: LGA1700, 115X & 1200 AMD: AM5 & AM4 |
What’s In The Box?
- NZXT T120 CPU Cooler
- Fan clips x 4
- Installation guide
- Mounting attachments
- Thermal paste
Design
The NZXT T120’s design is as simple as it gets. There is a choice of black or white, and if you want some bling, there is the T120 RGB as well. The one we had is clad in all black, except for the AM4 mounting bracket, which is in silver. Luckily, once installed it is not visible as it will be covered by the RAM.
You get a single tower design with an aluminium heatsink. Both the coldplate and heatpipes are made of copper for better thermal conductivity. It is cooled by a 120mm NZXT F120P Static Pressure Fan in push configuration. You can purchase an additional F120P fan to turn the T120 into a push-pull configuration using the included fan clips too. At the top is a plastic cap with a minimal NZXT logo for a flushed look.
User Experience
Installing the T120 to my motherboard is pretty simple. All I had to do was to swap to the AMD bracket, and screw the cooler onto the provided standoffs. No weirdly shaped clips or tension screws necessary. The F120P fan easily clips onto the heatsink using the fan clips. All in all, it took me less than 10 minutes to install the CPU cooler.
Thermal Performance
In a well ventilated case like the H5 Flow that I am using, the T120 delivers superb thermal performance. During stress testing, my Ryzen 7 5700G managed to stay under 60°C (ambient temperatures was 27°C). During normal use however, the temperature hovers between 40 – 45°C.
Noise
The T120 manages to stay quiet at default settings, although it can ramp up the speed significantly to above 1500RPM at higher temperatures. I tweaked the fan curve to a more silent 1000RPM under normal loads. Overall, unless it starts to run hot, the cooler is adequately silent.
Conclusion
The T120 is an entry-level CPU cooler that is not only compact, but performs very well both thermal and noise-wise. It also has a sleek, all-black finish that looks and feels like a premium product.
To learn more about the NZXT T120, check out the official website here.
