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Noctua NH-D15 vs Phanteks PH-TC14PE

10K views 26 replies 10 participants last post by  miklkit 
#1 ·
Currently I own a Coolermaster hyper 212+ but it can't handle my CPU over 4.5 GHZ. I want to push it to 4.8 GHZ at least, forcing me to upgrade my cooler. I did allot of research and found that these 2 coolers are among the best on the market. There is about 15$ difference between them, noctua being the pricier. Which one should I get and will it handle my 2500k at 1.4v ?
 
#2 ·
Both are excellent coolers with pretty much the same performance. D15 is wider so can block PCIe sockets where PH-TC14PE doesn't. Cryorig R1 Ultimate is another just as good and not as wide. Silver Arrow IB-E has same performnce with offset base for even better PCIe socket clearance.
 
#3 ·
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yetyhunter View Post

A nice review here comparing the 2 and showing the noctua in front by a good margin at full speed
http://www.kitguru.net/components/henry-butt/noctua-nh-d15-cpu-cooler-review/
Believe what you want, but that review is not accurate. 1-3c difference I would believe, but not almost 5c difference. I don't know for sure what is wrong, but my guesses are TIM mount and/or cooler intake air temps were different. At the end of the day I do know from repeated testing that PH-TC14pe, R1 Ultimate and NH-D15 all have same cooling ability. Ciarlatano here on OCN say the same thing. And we are not the only ones. Whenever we test we mount an already tested cooler and run same tests to make sure results are the same on that day as when testing before. Whichever box I grab first is the one used; R1, D15, 14PE.
 
#5 ·
@doyll - Yes, I would say the same thing. I have run those two and the R1 in comparison tests at least a dozen separate times in different builds and there has never been more than ~2 degrees difference between the three. The three tend to trade places depending on the case, but always within 2 degrees of each other.

 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt View Post

They perform about the same. The NH-D15 cools a tiny bit better.

http://www.relaxedtech.com/reviews/noctua/nh-d15/8
That review is flawed. They are using room ambient air temp, not cooler intake air temp. Therefore they are testing how their system and case perform with different coolers, not how well the coolers actually cool .
 
#9 ·
I owned them both back to back, replaced the Phanteks with a NH-D15S. The Noctua is a nicer cooler in that there is more room under the towers for RAM, the D15S is offset so it does not block the first PCI-e slot on any motherboard, the fan is quieter and the mounting system is nicer.

Get the NH-D15S.
 
#10 ·
Most of the review I seen the D15 is always the top spot by 1-3 degree difference. It is up to you if that is worth 15$ or not. The phanteks, r1, and silver arrow sb-e extreme pretty much identical to the d15. Again almost every review the D15 is always on top by 1-3.

I personally would go for the d15 if money isn't a big issue. You're pretty much paying 15$ extra to guarantee you are getting the best air cooler possible. It's easy to get ram clearance (just take out the heat spreaders) so that shouldn't really be a problem.

I don't know why but I actually like the color from Noctua fans. It stands out really well in a black case and looks even more better if you have other noctua fans
tongue.gif
 
#11 ·
If you compare all the high end air coolers, noctua and thermalright (not extreme version) have both superior fans, in terms of low rpm noise level. They are quietest.
Both phanteks and cryorig, while they are great performers, I wasn't happy with idle low rpm fan acoustics.

I feel like "perfect" air cooler is still missing, if we combine all factors: performance, noise level (min rpm inaudiable super quiet fans) and looks (subjective).
Noctua has really amazing quality and great fans, but stock fans color.. noctua trademark, beige.. it rarely (never) matches to color schemes of build. Sure most peopl don't care, then it doesn't matter, but it isnt something that can't be improved.
We need either noctua or thermalright anodized to several colors, or at least black, and matching fans, or phanteks/cryorig with same quality of fans as noctua/thermalright.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by aerial View Post

If you compare all the high end air coolers, noctua and thermalright (not extreme version) have both superior fans, in terms of low rpm noise level. They are quietest.
Both phanteks and cryorig, while they are great performers, I wasn't happy with idle low rpm fan acoustics.

I feel like "perfect" air cooler is still missing, if we combine all factors: performance, noise level (min rpm inaudiable super quiet fans) and looks (subjective).
Noctua has really amazing quality and great fans, but stock fans color.. noctua trademark, beige.. it rarely (never) matches to color schemes of build. Sure most peopl don't care, then it doesn't matter, but it isnt something that can't be improved.
We need either noctua or thermalright anodized to several colors, or at least black, and matching fans, or phanteks/cryorig with same quality of fans as noctua/thermalright.
Just curious - have you had the opportunity to try the TC14PE with the 140HP fans that are now included in the kit? Much lower rpm startup and much smoother sounding than the original fans.
 
#13 ·
Maybe it was old version, not quite sure now.
But phanteks with their white themed fans also could make it looking more neutral.
Typical high end systems that for example use black-red color scheme, with black interior cases and asus rog board. White framed fans just ruin that composition, thats another reason so many people replace these fans. White is just not very popular, and doesn't mix well with almost all popular motherboards and cases.
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by baii View Post

Same fan on different sink or stock fan on sink?
confused.gif
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harrywang View Post

Most of the review I seen the D15 is always the top spot by 1-3 degree difference. It is up to you if that is worth 15$ or not. The phanteks, r1, and silver arrow sb-e extreme pretty much identical to the d15. Again almost every review the D15 is always on top by 1-3.

I personally would go for the d15 if money isn't a big issue. You're pretty much paying 15$ extra to guarantee you are getting the best air cooler possible. It's easy to get ram clearance (just take out the heat spreaders) so that shouldn't really be a problem.

I don't know why but I actually like the color from Noctua fans. It stands out really well in a black case and looks even more better if you have other noctua fans
tongue.gif
Part of that is the simple fact the NH-D15 & NH-D15S has NF-A15 1500rpm fan/s. PH--TC14PE PH-F140HP fans are 1300 as are R1 XF140 fans.
Also keep in mind most reviewers are not doing proper or accurate testing. Few monitor the air temp going into cooler. Room air temp is generally used .. and room temperature is generally 1-15c lower than actual cooler intake air temp. They also use the "we test in a case to give "real world use" comparisons" which is nothing but bull puckie.
mad.gif
, Their "real world" and our "real world" system are rarely even remotely the same.
mad.gif
The only "real world" involved is theirs.
tongue.gif
Ttheir testing does not show ushow well the coolers perform against other coolers, but how well the coolers perform in their system.
 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by aerial View Post

If you compare all the high end air coolers, noctua and thermalright (not extreme version) have both superior fans, in terms of low rpm noise level. They are quietest.
Both phanteks and cryorig, while they are great performers, I wasn't happy with idle low rpm fan acoustics.

I feel like "perfect" air cooler is still missing, if we combine all factors: performance, noise level (min rpm inaudiable super quiet fans) and looks (subjective).
Noctua has really amazing quality and great fans, but stock fans color.. noctua trademark, beige.. it rarely (never) matches to color schemes of build. Sure most peopl don't care, then it doesn't matter, but it isnt something that can't be improved.
We need either noctua or thermalright anodized to several colors, or at least black, and matching fans, or phanteks/cryorig with same quality of fans as noctua/thermalright.
Look at scythe and prolimatech stuff.
Scythe have some nice styling, prolimatech have heatsink in all the pc case theme color, and not in the typical 2 tower shape.
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyll View Post

confused.gif
*Heatsink,
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by baii View Post

Look at scythe and prolimatech stuff.
Scythe have some nice styling, prolimatech have heatsink in all the pc case theme color, and not in the typical 2 tower shape.
*Heatsink,
Stock
 
#18 ·
Noctua is awesome, but also freaking huge, heavy and expensive.

Being a cheapskate, i'd buy a pair of noctua fans and mount them on both sides of the 212 with the help of some wire.

If insufficient boost you could mount them as case fans, hands down best quality fans i've ever owned.
 
#19 ·
Noctua fans are not the wonder-fan .. or maybe they are.. "wonder why everyone seems to think they are so great?"
biggrin.gif


Here is compilation of CoolingTechique.com data / graphs to some some typical fans. You can see Thermalright TY-14x series fans are if not the best, among the best.
thumb.gif

 
#20 ·
I dunno. I've been running the TY143s on the SST HE01 for a while and they are a disappointment. I put the FHP141s back on a few hours ago and noise is way down and temps are the same or lower. But it is still early on and only time will tell.

One thing. Overall it is a negative pressure case...........with no exhaust fans..........Better case fans are now a priority.
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyll View Post

Part of that is the simple fact the NH-D15 & NH-D15S has NF-A15 1500rpm fan/s. PH--TC14PE PH-F140HP fans are 1300 as are R1 XF140 fans.
Also keep in mind most reviewers are not doing proper or accurate testing. Few monitor the air temp going into cooler. Room air temp is generally used .. and room temperature is generally 1-15c lower than actual cooler intake air temp. They also use the "we test in a case to give "real world use" comparisons" which is nothing but bull puckie.
mad.gif
, Their "real world" and our "real world" system are rarely even remotely the same.
mad.gif
The only "real world" involved is theirs.
tongue.gif
Ttheir testing does not show ushow well the coolers perform against other coolers, but how well the coolers perform in their system.
I agree. A lot of benchmarks regarding fans and cpu coolers aren't very reliable. The phanteks and noctua have pretty much the exact same cooling potential if using the same fans. The A15 1500rpm are pretty insane fans that is what i meant by paying 15$ extra to gurantee you are getting the best air cooler around
tongue.gif

Quote:
Originally Posted by miklkit View Post

I dunno. I've been running the TY143s on the SST HE01 for a while and they are a disappointment. I put the FHP141s back on a few hours ago and noise is way down and temps are the same or lower. But it is still early on and only time will tell.

One thing. Overall it is a negative pressure case...........with no exhaust fans..........Better case fans are now a priority.
What doyll linked is dba to CFM. Thermalright are very good case fans when it comes to silence. The A14 PWM do beat it when it comes to air pressure and CFM.

 
#22 ·
To be fair, I think graph is free airflow.

There are many variables between TY-143 and FHP141 on HE01. For example the difference in thickness could be having a significant effect on airflow .. 11mm more shroud on FHP141 means middle fan is closer to front fin pack and back fan is closer to back case vent. How much difference that makes I don't know.

HE01 may like FHP141 fans better. I'm sure SilverStone spent some development time optimizing their combined performance.
wink.gif


Is cooler intake air temp the same with both setups?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harrywang View Post

What doyll linked is dba to CFM. Thermalright are very good case fans when it comes to silence. The A14 PWM do beat it when it comes to air pressure and CFM.
Without load data it's hard to compare real world performance.

The CFM to RPM has TY-147A well above A14 and almost the same as A15



I think ehume is or will be doing some load comparison testing.

geggeg did TY-147A on Swiftech MCR140QP radiator (12 fpi 30mm thick). As good as PH-F140MP, but not as good as Vardar F2-140. But the differences are about 19 fpi (220/239 fpi) and 3.8dBA difference. Few if any of our ears can hear a 2dBA change. Many can hear a 3dBA change, all can hear a 4dBA change. But 19 fpi at 220 fpi is than a only 8.6% difference. Definitely not a Earth shattering difference .. no even a Earth shaking difference. .. IMHO
biggrin.gif


 
#23 ·
I will probably get the noctua, mainly because it's allot easier to get a hold of . Only one store in my country has the phantek. Will it handle voltages over 1.4v to get my sandy bridge 4.8 stable ?
 
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yetyhunter View Post

I will probably get the noctua, mainly because it's allot easier to get a hold of . Only one store in my country has the phantek. Will it handle voltages over 1.4v to get my sandy bridge 4.8 stable ?
Only if the noctua will.
biggrin.gif
 
#25 ·
Yeah, I'm guessing that the air gap behind the first fan was having some effect as temperatures do seem to be down a bit overall along with noise. The completely unscientific method of sticking my hand into the air stream behind the case says I can't tell the difference. Both types move a lot of air. The pattern of air flow seems to be different though with the TY143s pushing hot air out the top next to the top of the case while the FHP141s push it out everywhere.
 
#26 ·
I need to get at least 1 more FHP141, better yet 2 more and do some testing of my own. I have a Cogage Arrow (basically same as original Silver Arrow) with 39mm between fin packs, so it would be a good test rig. That and make a shroud to increase the TY-143 to 38-39mm to hold airflow through middle fan and we should be able to get some more data. Hopefully ehume will do some testing of both fans too.
 
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