Testing

Test Setup: Intel Core 2 Duo 6420 @ 3.20GHz and an Intel Pentium 4 Extreme @ 3.73GHz*, 2GB of Patriot PC2-6400 Ram**, Asus Blitz Formula, Silicon Power M10 32GB + WD640AAKS, Hyper Type M 730w PSU.

Asetek Waterchill Cooling was reduced to 3 fans running at 50%.

Tuniq Tower 120 used the same Noctua 120mm fans as the Noctua Cooler.

The Noctua fans used the ULNA fan controller adapters for the higher temperatures.

*The Intel Pentium 4 Extreme 3.73GHz is an older CPU but it does provide a good test for us since it is quite a hot running CPU.

**Our usual OCZ Reaper ram interfered with the installation of the Noctua NH-D14 with both fans attached, so for the sake of keeping the system the same between coolers, the OCZ Reaper was swapped for smaller/shorter Patriot ram.

Idle and Load temperatures were recorded over a three day period (for each cooler) at various intervals (5 records each) and then averaged. Readings were taken while room temperature was at 24C ambient. For Idle readings, the PC was booted into Windows 7 and left for 15 minutes to do nothing. Load readings where taken after an hour of Orthos CPU testing.

Intel Pentium 4 EE 3.73GHz @ 3.73GHz

Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 @ 3.2GHz

The Noctua performs exceptionally well against the competition with performance that's close to a watercooling setup. Even when the fans are silenced with the supplied ULNA adapters, the Noctua's performance is easily the best we have seen on air.

Noise Levels

I lack the means to record decibel levels, but I can tell you that the Noctua NH-D14 isn't loud. With the fans running at full speed, you will hear them but it's highly likely you'll have other items in your system that will produce as much if not more noise than the fans on this cooler. Throw on the included UNLA adapters however and it makes quite a difference to the noise levels, and in our testing it seems to have very little impact on the temperatures as well. I guess that if you're are even considering this cooler, you're the sort who wants to eek out every last bit of performance, but still, the option to go quiet without much of an impact to the cooling ability is really nice.

Final Words

This is one of the best air coolers I've had the pleasure of using. The included package, like the NH-D14 itself is large and provides you with pretty much everything you could possibly need. The SecuFirm2 mounting setup allows you to use this cooler with plenty of different socket setups, and it works really well. It's easy to install, although I did find that even with my Cosmos S, I had to install the cooler by removing the motherboard (I've cut the motherboard tray to allow for in place installation of coolers); the NH-D14 was just too large and unwieldy to install with the motherboard in the case. Certain motherboard cooling setups, like those found on some MSI boards may limit your installation options although we certainly had no problem installing the NH-D14 on the two boards we tried including an MSI board. We did however have to swap our OCZ Reaper ram with it's heat-pipe cooling setup to some smaller/shorter Patriot ram to clear the 120mm fan.

Speaking of the fans, they are mounted securely and simply with clips that provide quick and easy removal, be it for installation or simply for cleaning. During installation you will need to remove the middle 140mm fan to access the two spring loaded screws on the base, and supply you with a suitable screwdriver that reaches.

Only two things could possibly stop you wanting the NH-D14 as your air cooler of choice; the price and the size.

The price is quite high (around the $80-$85 area) but let me be clear here that the price is worth it for the performance and silence you are getting. The NH-D14 is simply put one of the best, if not the best air cooler I've seen.

The size of it is monstrous as air coolers go. I've seen some big air coolers but this is without a doubt the largest air cooler I've come across. The heaviest too although I have to admit I did think it would have been heavier than it actually is. You will need to research before you buy to ensure you can install the NH-D14 without issue as in some cases, especially if you have oversized ram or a smaller case, you are going to have problems.

I did consider mentioning the fans coloring a con rather than a pro, as I'm unsure how many folks will have PC's with the natural coloring used by but for many it will be a non issue, and equally as many will no doubt find the browns a nice change from the staple of black. I like them simply as they are different from the norm without resorting to LED's.

So, do your research and find that the NH-D14 fits, swallow the extra amount of cash compared to the competition and stick one of these bad boys in your machine and you won't be sorry. I'm a devout watercooling fan, and I have to admit that even I could be tempted away by the performance and the silence of the NH-D14. It's a quality item, it works extremely well, and it installs easily enough for those with a little experience building a PC with 3rd party cooling.

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