In this next edition of the 2006 BleedinEdge Heatsink Roundup, we are presented with another pair of high performance coolers that we get to thrash and abuse with absolute eagerness. In this feature we will show you how these heatsinks stack up to the others in our Roundup as well as show what these products are capable of with a little effort and/or expense.

The two candidates we have before us this time around are the Noctua NH-U9 and the Thermalright Ultra-120. The Noctua website proclaims "superior cooling results" with the NH-U9, and also adds that its size makes it a good choice when space is a premium. The Thermalright website states "quiet and powerful cooling" for the Ultra-120, emphasizing the winglet design of the fins.

Noctua, which means "little owl", is a relative newcomer to the scene and has been provoking very good reviews with its line of quality cooling products. The company is the result of cooperation between a high-quality Austrian electronics company and a heatsink manufacturer in Taiwan with ultra-modern research and technology processes. The result is a company which seems intent in bringing something new to the table, which is evident by visiting their website. Our first impression of Noctua was very good, and our contact there was extremely helpful and accommodating. We were therefore anxious to review another Noctua product.

Thermalright is another favorite company of enthusiasts due to their outstanding CPU coolers, and have been for a while now. They make a variety of cooling products both for normal users and hardcore enthusiasts alike.

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