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Phantek PH-TC14PE and NH-D14 Owners...lend me your ear and advice!

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pack66

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So I am in the process of building a mITX gaming computer. Purchased a Node 304, Asus Maximus VI Impact board and was set to cool my 4770k with a NH-U14s. Bottom line, the U14s does not fit. It hits the heatsink of the Impact's daughterboard...so it's going back to Amazon. Based off of some of the pics today in the Node 304 owners thread, I did a bunch of research regarding cpu coolers. I've seen an NH-D14 fit with an Impact in a 304, so I think the Phanteks PH-TC14PE will also fit (basically the same design). I'm leaning toward the Phanteks (even though it's not confirmed they fit) as they have a PWM splitter, and I want the Impact to have the ability to set fan speed based on load/idle. So a couple questions:

1. Can the Maximus VI Impact control 3pin fans through voltage or would I have to buy additional PWM fans for a PWM setup on an NH-D14?
2. How satisfied are the Phantek owners that have them installed on their Nodes in terms of quiet (first and foremost) and cooling?

I had thought about the NH-U12s, but I think I'd rather have the performance of the D14.

Any thoughts from owners are very welcome...I can't wait to get this thing built!
 
#3 ·
If the NH-U14S doesn't fit it's possible neither will NH-D14 and TC14PE.
Phanteks does not have a PWM splitter. They supply a PWM Adapter and a 3pin splitter.
1. I don't know.
2. I love my Phanteks. And the newer PH-F140HP fans perform better and quieter than the old PH-F140TS fans.
 
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#4 ·
I thought I posted earlier , I guess it didn't go through or it got deleted for whatever reason.
headscratch.gif


Maximus VI Impact seems to have 4 pin headers for the chassis fans according to ocholic although the pin-out is odd.
Quote:
Totally you'll find four fan header on the Maximus VI Impact which is enough, to provide a well equipped mATX system with fresh air. The fan headers are located around the CPU socket and the fourth can be found right next to the onboard power button. ASUS decided to use 4-pin PWM headers in all five cases. Therefore it is possible to adjust rotation speed in the BIOS or in Windows.
Click to expand...
http://www.ocaholic.ch/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=1050&page=4

See manual page 50

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/MAXIMUS-VI-IMPACT/E8469_Maximus_VI_Impact.pdf

@ doyll, I think the NH-U14S is wider and taller than NH-D14, no?

In any case if OP gets NH-D14 SE2011 they will have PWM fans but need to buy a LGA115x mount kit
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Thanks for the comments. On the Node owners forum, saw pics of an owner with a NH-D14 mounted on an Impact board, so I'm sure it will fit. Two questions, is the Phantek around the same dimensions (I've heard it's a copy of the NH-D14 design)? Second, which is better, the Noctua or the Phantek?
 
#6 ·
Found this online Phanteks PH-TC14PE vs Noctua DH-14. I just got the Phanteks 14PE on sale from newegg.com and I did some research before I made my purchase. It pretty much comes down to cost and looks. The Phanteks had one with black heat sinks and black and white fans, that sold me.

Right now on newegg.com the DH-14 is $94.99 and the Phanteks is $74.99...
 
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#7 ·
The margin is close on Phantek vs D14. I forgot price of Phantek, but barring that I prefer D14 as it gives a free decent thermal paste while being quiet. The Noctuas are a quiet bunch. Plus, you know the D14 will fit then you get that as well. Get it from Amazon for $78. Newegg is being stupid.
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkwizzie View Post

The margin is close on Phantek vs D14. I forgot price of Phantek, but barring that I prefer D14 as it gives a free decent thermal paste while being quiet. The Noctuas are a quiet bunch. Plus, you know the D14 will fit then you get that as well. Get it from Amazon for $78. Newegg is being stupid.
Click to expand...
I did not check amazon. That is a good deal then. The good thermal paste is for sure an added bonus.
 
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#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by boxwunder13 View Post

I did not check amazon. That is a good deal then. The good thermal paste is for sure an added bonus.
Click to expand...
It was $79 when I got it from Newegg. Newegg raised their price, now it's a ripoff if you buy from them.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by pack66 View Post

Thanks for the comments. On the Node owners forum, saw pics of an owner with a NH-D14 mounted on an Impact board, so I'm sure it will fit. Two questions, is the Phantek around the same dimensions (I've heard it's a copy of the NH-D14 design)? Second, which is better, the Noctua or the Phantek?
Click to expand...
NH-D14 . . . . = . . 6x 6mm pipes 140x130x160mm 140x158x160mm w/ 120mm & 140mm fans44mm*
PH-TC14PE. . = . . 5x 8mm pipes 140x159x171mm w/ 2x 140mm fans, PWM adaptor40-45mm*
*cooler base to bottom fin. (add 8mm for motherboard to bottom fin.)

Phanteks is not a "copy" of Noctua. Different pipe size and count, different fin attachment (each fin is 2 piece vs one piece), fin corners attach to each other on Phanteks, etc. As for performance Phanteks is a little better but not by much. Sahil does great in depth reviews with very good data comparing different fans as well as fan speeds at different overclock/heat loads. Here's his comparison of the two. I think you will find the rest of his review interesting too.
http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/phanteks_ph_tc14pe_cpu_cooler_review,7.html

Phanteks is a little better cooling but you will get similar differences by changing fans, improving case cooling, TIM, seating, etc. too.
wink.gif
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Thanks for all the comments, they were incredibly helpful. Last night I had enough of waiting, so I went to Microcenter and picked up an H80i. I was intrigued by the AIO concept and figured I could return it if I didn't like it, since they're local. I put it together and booted to the bios to see what I'd have. Overall, I was surprised it was as quiet as it was without the Node's cover on. Honestly though, I don't think I could get used to the pump noise. Mounting was a bit wonky too, as I had to use washers supplied by ASUS to get the back plate to be even remotely tight on the motherboard. My temp at idle was around 30c.

I'm going to complete the rest of the build and see where everything's at, but I'm leaning towards ordering one of the two air coolers. My curiosity is satisfied and Big Air is the way to go. Are the Noctua D14 SE2011 and LGA115x the same except for the mounting bracket? If they are, does anyone have a link (preferably Amazon) for the mounting bracket? I'm not sure if I'm looking at the right one.

As for the Phantek, it's a little cooler, better looking, but I'm not sure if the pipes will clear the daughterboard heatsink compared to the known of the Noctua. It's just that I want pwm fans and I don't want to have to pay to exchange already good noctua fans....

*edit. Here's the page of the Node owners thread showing the D14 fits, in case someone searches for D14 and Impact fit pics.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1266342/lightbox/post/20746956/id/1645181
 
#12 ·
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#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by pack66 View Post

:

1. Can the Maximus VI Impact control 3pin fans through voltage or would I have to buy additional PWM fans for a PWM setup on an NH-D14?
2. How satisfied are the Phantek owners that have them installed on their Nodes in terms of quiet (first and foremost) and cooling?

I had thought about the NH-U12s, but I think I'd rather have the performance of the D14.

Any thoughts from owners are very welcome...I can't wait to get this thing built!
Click to expand...
I dont know for the VI Impact, but I can confirm that the P8Z77-i Deluxe (the z77 version, same design) does NOT support 3 pin fans. They will always run at full speed.

I used a silver arrow with mine and the clearance was pretty good.
 
#15 ·
Not my build mate. Click on the link below the pics to see original post.
 
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#16 ·
I like that the phanteks cooler comes in lots of different colour options, I like them all and you can pick one to match your build. I find the noctuas to be too ugly.

Cooling wise there's not much difference, and as for the noctua fans coming with decent paste, 20g tubes of MX4 can be bought for super cheap on Amazon.
 
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#18 ·
I'll be build a new build in about 6 weeks. Phanteks Enthoo Primo; a windowed case. It will have a black TC14PE... because it perform good but also because it looks good.
smile.gif
Why not have both if you can? even it you don't have a window you may show someone your great cooler and how the case is just big enough to fit.
biggrin.gif


I'm now looking for a good looking used GPU to go with on the cheap.
biggrin.gif
 
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#19 ·
Unless you have space concerns, forget teh Phatenks, get the Silver Arrow. Silver Arrow for noncompromising, top air cooling performance, or Noctua for almost top air cooling performance that's really quiet. You know, if you OCD about those things.
 
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by pack66 View Post

... 1. Can the Maximus VI Impact control 3pin fans through voltage or would I have to buy additional PWM fans for a PWM setup on an NH-D14? ...
Click to expand...
The CPU-FAN header can control both by true PWM or by voltage. In the Max VI Impact it detects automatically which type of fan (4 or 3-pin) you plug, courtesy of this fancy switch:



(4-pin => switch triggered => true PWM control; 3-pin => switch untriggered => voltage control)

Now the CHA_FANs are another story. Although they are 4-pin, they can only control by voltage. However you can plug 4-pin PWM fans and they will be regulated, although only by voltage and not by true PWM (a subtle but enraging difference for PWM fan fans).
 
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