Noctua NH-D14 CPU Cooler Review

Stock Fan Performance Results

2.6GHz


To be honest we knew the stock performance numbers were going to be good as this cooler does come with dual fans; however we were not expecting it to give HDT coolers a run for their money and this is the first solid based cooler to really do so. Heck, while this cooler does come with two fans, they are not exactly high speed power house units and the Titan Fenrir (the only HDT to beat it) comes with an fan which is rotating over 1000RPMs faster!


3.42GHz


As the heat load was turned up, this massive cooler really did start to show us what it was made of: pure gold. As you can see if comes within striking distance of what is easily the best HDT cooler we have ever tested: the Titan Fenrir.


3.8GHz


Damn, we were hoping it would pull out ahead of the Fenrir at this heat load and to see these numbers really is disappointing. If we were to hazard a guess we would say that while this dual tower design is better than previous attempts but two moderate speed fans is not the most optimal of solutions. We really, really wish Noctua had included faster fans and relied on their time proven speed adaptors to slow things down if the customer so chooses.