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Will the Noctua NH-D14 make my build quieter?

post #1 of 10
6/25/12 at 8:14pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys,

I'm currently using a corsair h60 with GT-15s in a push/pull configuration having them at around 1200 rpm on idle. My graphics card is a gtx 670 ftw at 35% fan curve on idle and my psu is a seasonic M12ii 520w. Real noob here, but I'm assuming that these 3 parts contribute most to the sound, especially the cpu cooler.

I would consider it pretty quiet with a sound of 29 db about a metre away, but its still audible with the room on lockdown and no sound coming from the speakers. Would replacing the h60 with the Noctua NH-D14 make it much quieter? I'm pretty confident that my cpu will run cooler as well. My case is the Fractal Design R3 with all moduvents closed. If any of you guys have any other suggestions to make my build more quiet, I am happy to hear them! Thanks again for all your help thumb.gif

EDIT: Would prefer not to go the water cooling route because I don't think I'm pro enough at the moment.
Edited by JYJelly - 6/25/12 at 8:16pm
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post #2 of 10
6/25/12 at 10:10pm
NH-D14 Acoustical Noise: 19.6 dB(A)(NF-P14)/ 19.8 dB(A) (NF-P12)

H60 Acoustical Noise: 30.2 dBA

...and yes...the NH-D14 runs circles around the H60.
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post #3 of 10
6/26/12 at 11:45am
Thread Starter 
Thanks, I'm assuming thats 30.2 dba with the normal corsair fans (I'm using the GT AP-15s, which I think are quieter?). So with the NH-D14 can I expect almost total silent sound? Also, would buying a power supply that turns off at low loads also decrease the sound dramatically compared to my Seasonic M12ii? Really appreciate the advice.
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post #4 of 10
6/26/12 at 11:57am
That 670 FTW is the loudest thing in your case (not sure what your case fans are though) in all likeliness.
Turn the fan down on it when your idling and see how much of a difference it makes to you.

I don't think your H60 / fans are contributing much if at all to your noise concerns.
With the fans only running @ 1200rpm GTs are whisper quiet; and the H60s pump should be near silent too (unless you have the "grinding noise" issue).
Quote:
Originally Posted by crimsontears809739 View Post

NH-D14 Acoustical Noise: 19.6 dB(A)(NF-P14)/ 19.8 dB(A) (NF-P12)
H60 Acoustical Noise: 30.2 dBA
...and yes...the NH-D14 runs circles around the H60.

I'm presuming those figures are from stock configurations as well.
GTs are quieter than the stock Corsair fans, especially if they're only @ 1200 RPM
Edited by candy_van - 6/26/12 at 11:59am
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post #5 of 10
6/27/12 at 3:02pm
Thread Starter 
I'm using a Noctua case fan (forgot the name) on the bottom of the case as intake and I have 2 of the fans that came with the fractal R3 in the front as intake as well. I think they make very little sound since their only running at around 850 rpm. I decreased the speed of the GT AP-15s to around 40% and its more quiet, however its only running at around 800 rpm on idle. Would that speed even cool the radiator at all? I made sure to get it to ramp up after 40 C to around 65%.
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post #6 of 10
6/27/12 at 3:03pm
I would say the NH D14 is just about completely silent at low speed ~700 RPM or so. At full speed it's not loud but I hear it. At any RPM, all of my 120mm-140mm case fans (including a Noctua) are louder than the low speed NH-D14, probably due to the turbulence of the air going through the case's grills.

If you get one, just make sure that you get the right cooler for your motherboard's CPU fan headers (ie. 3 pin or 4 pin PWM). I got the wrong one for my board and my cooler is stuck at full speed if I use the CPU fan headers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JYJelly View Post

I'm using a Noctua case fan (forgot the name) on the bottom of the case as intake and I have 2 of the fans that came with the fractal R3 in the front as intake as well. I think they make very little sound since their only running at around 850 rpm. I decreased the speed of the GT AP-15s to around 40% and its more quiet, however its only running at around 800 rpm on idle. Would that speed even cool the radiator at all? I made sure to get it to ramp up after 40 C to around 65%.

I have mine gradually ramp up from 50% to 100% by what Realtemp.exe reports the CPU temp at about 65 degrees. (This translates to about 46 degrees in my motherboard's software... somebody is way off! )
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post #7 of 10
6/30/12 at 11:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JYJelly View Post

Thanks, I'm assuming thats 30.2 dba with the normal corsair fans (I'm using the GT AP-15s, which I think are quieter?). So with the NH-D14 can I expect almost total silent sound? Also, would buying a power supply that turns off at low loads also decrease the sound dramatically compared to my Seasonic M12ii? Really appreciate the advice.

I have the seasonic x660 and the fan hasn't come on yet! Its way more than I need but only cost £10 more than the 560 and the extra headroom keeps the fan off. It would be a way to go but given the cost and your already excellent psu, there may be cheaper ways to lower the sound.

Have you thought about an all in one water cooled system? No need to worry as very simple to fit and could help with noise (and lower temps)

Another option is to go for a quieter case. The r3 is good but something like the silverstone ft02 would be miles better
Edited by Preacher666 - 7/1/12 at 2:05am
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post #8 of 10
7/1/12 at 10:19pm
I did this exact switch in my system. Went from an h60 to the nh-d14, no regrets. My system is extremely quiet. If you really want to make it very quiet, get an accellero cooler for your graphics card as well.
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post #9 of 10
7/3/12 at 3:30pm
I'm sorry to whore your thread, op but I have the very same question with a similar build.

P280 Case(replacing my cm 690 II)
GTX 470
Currently using a Corsair H70 to cool my i7 930

I'm tired of my system sounding like a vacuum cleaner... Would it be wise to upgrade from a H70 to NH-D14?

@Syjeklye, have you had any experiences with the accellero cooler? It's the first time i've heard of it.
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post #10 of 10
7/4/12 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 
Haha no worries, were all here to get advice from the pros biggrin.gif. From what I read, the NH-D14 is on par with the H100 in terms of cooling, so I'm assuming it will outperform your h70 in terms of both cooling and noise (and destroy my h60). Just make sure that your RAM is low enough so the cooler clears it and that you get the 4 pin version. If looks are a big concern for you, I hear the thermalright silver arrow and the Phantek PH-TC14PE are just as good, but don't use the brown theme that Noctua uses.
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