Pros: Mounting options, fans w/ sleeves, accessories, performance
Cons: Weight, fan mounting clips, size, weight
Let me first preface this review by admitting that I am terrible in seating cpu coolers. I always seem to make random mistakes, inevitably thinking whether the unfavorable result is due to my inability to have steady hands or just hardware shortcomings.
With NH-D14, I've gone for the broke to see whether I could finally expect to see the best that my strenuous experience with cpu cooling can muster. My previous cooler of choice, the budget darling Coolermaster Hyper 212+ in push/pull config, present for non-analytic comparison.
The cooler came in a very secure and honestly extraordinary package that contains all you need and then some to install it. All manner of mounting kits, two touted fans, and even a generous tube of their retail thermal compound are included. Checking the contents came a realization that the whole package is quite a bargain. Who knew a cpu cooler of all things could be an item of statement and envy in my computer, but it certainly looks the part save for the colour of the fans, which frankly coming from the veritable land of chocolates, is not amiss in that regard.
The base of the cooler had some blemishes, or what looks like a piece of lint probably got lodged in between the microscopic grooves when I was cleaning it for preparation. Bummer. But considering my record with making things worse by trying to even remotely address it, I didn't bother taking further action. Otherwise, the grooves had a certain look of uniformity to it, and appreciably flat from a cursory glance. The mounting, with the kit I've received at no cost since I had 2011 socket, was very simple as per the nicely illustrated instructions and required no effort. Just make sure to align the screws of cooler to the mount and go back and forth in screwing it down. I speak from experience here, once again.
After the cooler is installed, it's a cinch to add the fans using the clips. Be advised that plastic dampers inserted into the grooves of the cooler can get dislodged, the side of the piece facing away from the fan coated in some adhesive. Also, if the cooler is big enough to intrude upon the space of the highest situated expansion card, be sure to insulate the clip handles lest they contact the solder or circuit in contact. Noctua didn't provide for the situation here, but a thin strip of insulating tape could do the trick?
Now for the performance. My poor setup with the Hyper 212+ has been baking at upwards of high 80s on Prime with i7 3820 overclocked to 4.6 Ghz. I did live dangerously for a while. But I can relax now on a recliner with a glass of ice tea in my hand that the NH-D14 manages the burn at around balmy 65 degrees. Of course, the ambient temperature in which the tests were conducted was not constant, and there were some changes to the case configuration along the way, but the improvement is big enough to colour me impressed.
NH-D14 is literally an impressive presence now in the case. It is heavy and strikes up a turbulence inside. I can't hear the fans much and but the real boon is that I don't need to worry about CPU cooling, and instead fret over things like the colour of internal LED lighting. Or what to do with all the extra mounting kits that I don't need. Congratulations to Noctua for their great product and their service of providing me with a free 2011 mounting kit.
With NH-D14, I've gone for the broke to see whether I could finally expect to see the best that my strenuous experience with cpu cooling can muster. My previous cooler of choice, the budget darling Coolermaster Hyper 212+ in push/pull config, present for non-analytic comparison.
The cooler came in a very secure and honestly extraordinary package that contains all you need and then some to install it. All manner of mounting kits, two touted fans, and even a generous tube of their retail thermal compound are included. Checking the contents came a realization that the whole package is quite a bargain. Who knew a cpu cooler of all things could be an item of statement and envy in my computer, but it certainly looks the part save for the colour of the fans, which frankly coming from the veritable land of chocolates, is not amiss in that regard.
The base of the cooler had some blemishes, or what looks like a piece of lint probably got lodged in between the microscopic grooves when I was cleaning it for preparation. Bummer. But considering my record with making things worse by trying to even remotely address it, I didn't bother taking further action. Otherwise, the grooves had a certain look of uniformity to it, and appreciably flat from a cursory glance. The mounting, with the kit I've received at no cost since I had 2011 socket, was very simple as per the nicely illustrated instructions and required no effort. Just make sure to align the screws of cooler to the mount and go back and forth in screwing it down. I speak from experience here, once again.
After the cooler is installed, it's a cinch to add the fans using the clips. Be advised that plastic dampers inserted into the grooves of the cooler can get dislodged, the side of the piece facing away from the fan coated in some adhesive. Also, if the cooler is big enough to intrude upon the space of the highest situated expansion card, be sure to insulate the clip handles lest they contact the solder or circuit in contact. Noctua didn't provide for the situation here, but a thin strip of insulating tape could do the trick?
Now for the performance. My poor setup with the Hyper 212+ has been baking at upwards of high 80s on Prime with i7 3820 overclocked to 4.6 Ghz. I did live dangerously for a while. But I can relax now on a recliner with a glass of ice tea in my hand that the NH-D14 manages the burn at around balmy 65 degrees. Of course, the ambient temperature in which the tests were conducted was not constant, and there were some changes to the case configuration along the way, but the improvement is big enough to colour me impressed.
NH-D14 is literally an impressive presence now in the case. It is heavy and strikes up a turbulence inside. I can't hear the fans much and but the real boon is that I don't need to worry about CPU cooling, and instead fret over things like the colour of internal LED lighting. Or what to do with all the extra mounting kits that I don't need. Congratulations to Noctua for their great product and their service of providing me with a free 2011 mounting kit.
Comments: