Noctua NH-C14 CPU cooler review

Noctua NH-C14 CPU cooler

You can hardly think of a manufacturer out there that is not in the CPU cooling business, and sure anno 2011 there really aren't bad performing coolers produced anymore. The market has stabilized and within the the entire range and scope of heatpipe based coolers there's a certain comfort zone, and as a result most of these coolers are all adequate at the very least.

There are always exceptions to this, there's a handful of manufacturers out there that offer the really interesting stuff, the kit and gear that really stand out from the cooling crowd, the hardware you and me crave and need so badly.

In the long line of Noctua CPU coolers they introduced another CPU cooler, tagged with the name NH-C14, the heatpipes bent in a C shape and armed with not one, but two Noctua NF-P14 FLX 140mm fans this product is bound to keep any CPU released to date nicely cooled and chilled.

The cooler features roughly the same six heatpipe arrangement used by its predecessor. The mounting kit is sheer excellence as any number of platforms the NH-C14 support via its SecuFirm2 mounting system is supported, so here we go: LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA775, AM2, AM2+ and AM3. Not just that, the CPU cooler is just really easy to install as well.

Armed with a 6-year warranty the NH-C14 is selling right now for purchase for EUR 69 price tag, the cooler being bundled with a tube of Noctua's NT-H1 thermal compound as well as low-noise and ultra-low-noise adapters. But really, is it any good ?

Well let's find out and head onwards into a full review of the product where we'll test its baseline performance but also increase CPU voltage for overclocks to see how well this critter behaves temperatures wise.

Features

In a challenge to challenge to further improve on cooling performance Noctua went back to the drawing board and came up with the Noctua NH-C14 CPU cooler. It is a six heatpipe single radiator design to improve both cooling performance and noise levels. Obviously what catches the eyes is that radiator, the C shaped heatpipes and the two included 140mm fans sandwiching that radiator -- the design was done in such a manner that it gives the cooler enough clearance over the RAM slots while more surface area and greater heat distribution.

The c-type design of the NH-C14 has two major advantages compared to standard tower coolers, namely providing lots of airflow for near socket components and being much lower in height (especially with the top fan removed). This means that it's the first cooler to provide this type of cooling power (usually, this type of down-draft coolers have been lagging behind in terms of performance) while still fitting in cases that cannot accomodate large tower coolers (e.g. because of thick side panel fans, desktop style cases, etc.).
The fins are cooled by supplied by the NF-P14 (140mm) fans rated at 19.6 and 19.8 dB(A) respectively.

Courtesy of Noctua: "The NH-C14 brings top-flow cooling to a new level by offering an exquisite, uniquely flexible 140mm dual fan setup: The two supplied NF-P14 premium fans can be installed on top and underneath the fin-stack to configure the cooler for maximum performance in dual fan mode and either lower profile (105mm) or maximum component clearance in single fan modes. Bundled with the award-winning NT-H1 thermal compound and Noctua’s SecuFirm2™ multi-socket mounting system, the NH-C14 is a highly flexible, premium-class top-flow solution that further boosts the renowned quiet cooling performance of the much acclaimed NH-C12P series.

Providing more surface area, better heat-distribution and superior airflow efficiency than conventional tower style heatsinks, the cooler six heatpipe single radiator design was developed to provide a quiet cooling performance with the supplied NF-P14 (140mm) fans. Both fans feature Vortex-Control Notches, SCD technology and SSO-Bearings in order to achieve a perfect balance of performance and quietness.

The design gives more clearance towards the RAM slots and thus ensures good compatibility despite of the cooler's size. Hanging out at the bottom of the fin-stacks, the NF-P14 fan doesn't only contribute to the CPU cooling capabilities but also provides massive airflow over surrounding motherboard components and heatsinks.

Topped off with a tube of Noctua's NT-H1 thermal compound as well as the new SecuFirm2 multi-socket mounting system (LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA775, AM2, AM2+ and AM3), the NH-D14 is a great choice for the highest demands in premium quality quiet cooling.

Right -- Lets move onwards to the product gallery and installation.

As always, the packaging -- so that you know what to look for in the stores. Everything is packaged and bundled safely in the carton.

Included are:

• Cooler + 2 fans
• Backplate
• Thermal Grease
• User’s Manual
• AMD/Intel Clip
• extended Philps screwdriver
• Screws, studs etc and everything else needed

So summed up, once unboxed you'll spot the cooling unit consisting of the heatsink assembly, fan and brackets + back plate that support a very wide range of AMD and Intel processors. A little thermal paste is included as well. Also included is a special screwdriver, extra long, we'll show you why later on in the article.

The cooler is nice and big at dimensions of 166(L) x 140(W) x 130(H)mm with the fans included. It weighs 700g without fans and 1000g with two fans. The fan can be used in PWM mode controlled by your motherboard.