[Bobicon]

Well I think I may I have found a heat sink to fit my budget:

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/noctua_nhc12p_se14/

because out of my choices it is this or the Hyper N520.

Anyone have any experience with how well this cooler preforms.

 

[TheMafia]

This one is similar to the Noctua d14 that i have....noctua has good basics and they take them to the best efficiency for their design, when i was doing research on coolers in this class...i found that all the criteria i set out for them were met by Noctua's coolers.

The Hyper N520 looks to be designed similarily but i have no experience with it.

 

[smash_mouth01]

Similar in performance or looks, similarities stop at the NF-P14 FLX fan.

The Noctua NH-C12P, you will be happy with but it isn't the top performer like the NH-D14 but also it smaller and it's blowdown. This design will keep other stuff cool also.

The quality of the coolers are second to none and comes with a 6 yeah no fuss warranty. Also the TIM "NT-H1" is top class also.

The mounting is easy and it's solid as a rock.

Noctua NH-D14 and C12P-SE14
Results source: HERE

Test Platform

Processor-Intel Core 2 Duo EQ9450
Motherboard-Asus P5QL Pro
RAM-Super Talent 6400 4GB @ 800Mhz
HDD-Western Digital Raptor 75GB, Western Digital Caviar SE 500GB
OS-Windows 7 Ultimate
Case-Lian Li PC-B25F

 

[Bobicon]

I ended up going with the NH-C14 because I thought what the heck, whats an extra $20 bucks.

Thanks for the info though.

 

[smash_mouth01]

No drama's, what ever you choose from Noctua you will be happy with.

 

[TickleMeElmo]

It seems the D14 cools better by virtue of it having more surface area to dissipate the heat and also because the flow or air through the cooler is more coherent with general case design.

 

[smash_mouth01]

Also to add, it's the top tier performer for Noctua.

No I love mine, I replaced the 120mm fan with another 140mm and that is the go.