Testing Configuration and Benchmarks Used
To verify that the CPU cooler operates up to specs, the Noctua NH-D14 cooler was tested with the CPU running in both stock and at a known stable overclocking speed using a Z77-based system and at stock speeds using a Z87-based system, so that comparative results could be provided for both Ivy Bridge and Haswell-based systems. The results are presented for the cooler under review as well as other top-rated water and air coolers for performance comparison purposes. The benchmark tests used should give you a good understanding of the coolers's capabilities so that you, the reader, can make a more informed purchasing decision. The comparison coolers were selected based on their superior performance capabilities.
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Test System Setup |
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CPU |
Intel Z77-based system Intel Core i5-3570K Stock – 3.4GHz, 34 x 100MHz Base Clock Overclocked – 4.4GHz, 42 x 105MHz Base Clock Intel Z87-based system Intel Core i7-4770K (3.5GHz, 35 x 100MHz Base Clock) |
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Motherboard |
MSI Z77 MPOWER MSI Z87 XPOWER |
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Memory |
Intel Z77-based system G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 modules Stock – 1600MHz, 11-11-11-30-1T Overclocked – 1960MHz, 11-11-11-30-1T Intel Z87-based system Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 modules (1600MHz, 9-10-9-27-1T) |
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Hard Drive |
Samsung 840 EVO 250GB SSD Intel 520 240GB SSD Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA III HD |
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Sound Card |
Onboard sound |
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Video Card |
Intel Z77-based system AMD Radeon HD 5870 1GB Intel Z87-based system NVIDIA GTX 570 1.25GB |
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CPU Cooling |
Noctua NH-D14 CPU Cooler Thermalright Silver Arrow SB-E Extreme CPU Cooler Phanteks PH-TC12DX CPU Cooler Corsair Hydro Series™ H100i Extreme Performance CPU Cooler XSPC Raystorm 750 EX240 Watercooling Kit |
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Video Drivers |
AMD ATI Catalyst 12.8 NVIDIA 320.18 |
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Power Supply |
Corsair 650 Corsair HX750 |
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Operating System |
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 |
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Thermal Paste |
MG Chemicals 860-60G Silicone Heat Transfer Compound |
The 64-bit Windows 7 based test bench used for LGA1155 board testing includes an Intel Core i5-3570K CPU, 8GB of DDR3-2133 memory, an AMD Radeon 5870 1GB video card, and an Intel 520 240GB SSD drive. The 64-bit Windows 7 based test bench used for Intel Z87 LGA1150 board testing includes an Intel Core i7-4770K CPU, 16GB of DDR3-1866 memory, an NVIDIA GTX 570 1.25GB video card, and a Samsung 840 EVO 250GB SSD drive. Using the selected components gives us the ability to demonstrate the cooling system's capabilities rather than that of the system components.
Benchmark Tests used for evaluation:
- LinX Intel Linpack Benchmark v0.6.4 (Intel Z77-based testing)
- AIDA64 Extreme Edition v3.00 (Intel Z87-based testing)
- Geeks3D FurMark v1.10.2
Agree with pdjblum.
And
Agree with pdjblum.
And remember this cooler came out in 2009 if I’m correct, which makes it even better for a 4-5yr old air cooler still able to amaze people!
*proud owner of a NH-D14*
bad ass hsf
bad ass hsf
“However, the NH-D14’s
“However, the NH-D14’s performance profile begins to break down as the processor is pushed to higher performance levels via overclocking. The fan’s equipped with the cooler simply cannot push enough air through the radiators to keep the CPU cool enough to remain stable.”
Morry, I think that last sentence needs a modifier. The fans will certainly be sufficient to allow the cpu to be overclocked and stable, just maybe not as much as some others in the comparison, though I doubt even that.
More importantly, countless enthusiasts the world over have been using the NH-D14 to successfully oc their rigs for years. In fact, I would argue the NH-D14 has been the air cooler of choice for the vast majority of enthusiasts since it came out years ago.
I currently have an i7 930
I currently have an i7 930 running @ 4ghz (1.2ghz oc) with hyper threading on. I push about 1.38 volts through this thing and the cooler keeps my cpu pretty cool. Even under heavy prime 95 benching it holds around 70 degrees, keep in mind, on everything stock on this cpu with stock cooler prime would push it to 83 degrees. All to say this thing is a champ and very quiet. I have not tested on haswell yet but imagine it can handle most things fine.
In the conclusion I think you
In the conclusion I think you mean 6″ tall though I would love to see what a 12″ tall cooler could do 🙂
I’m concerned that you consider a 2:3 crash rate a stable overclock. In general I think that running your cooler tests so close to the TDP may produce unreliable results. Thermal throttling is not something you want to encounter in a cooler comparison test. If throttling occurs a cooler that trips it more could end up with favourable numbers it doesn’t deserve.
Can you please specify whether you used either of the low noise adapters in testing? I assume not but I’d rather not have to assume.
I didn’t consider the cooler
I didn't consider the cooler to be stable under overclock, as i stated in the results and the conclusion. The overclocking level is a known stable overclock for that CPU, memory, board combination if temps can be kept under control. The Noctua just couldn't for 2 out of 3 runs.
As far as adapters used in testing, the fans were running full speed.
Looks like a torture device.
Looks like a torture device.
Noctua have promised at
Noctua have promised at Computex 2013 an upgraded version of this gem (fan) for Q4 2013.
The updates version sports dual 140mm fans with PWM and more optimized heatpipes.
The enemy of the good is the better one 😀
I am still waitung for this device.
noctua is a pretty good
noctua is a pretty good company, i tend to use thier low profile coolers in some cases.
but i think i would opt for a self contained water cooled option instead of pulling this hunk of metal out- the nh -d14 is way too much …
I completely agree with
I completely agree with pdjblum. The NH-D14 is considered to be one of the best coolers out there.
Here’s two reviews I found on the NH-D14 handling 3770K @ 4.6Ghz.
http://www.relaxedtech.com/reviews/noctua/nh-l9i-nh-d14/6
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/corsair_h110_review,13.html
“However, air flow through
“However, air flow through the radiators can be felt only barely on the exit end of the cooler.”,
Im sorry but if you dont feel any airflow with this cooler either you set it up wrong or this specific unit has something wrong with it.
I have nh-d14 on a 3930k, i
I have nh-d14 on a 3930k, i run all day, at 4.6ghz 1.40v, rock solid stable, and the 3930k is a hot beast.Somethings wrong with your methodology or setup, i have had this 3930k as high as 4.8 with some r4s strapped on to it, but, that creates to much noise.
I have nh-d14 on a 3930k, i
I have nh-d14 on a 3930k, i run all day, at 4.6ghz 1.40v, rock solid stable, and the 3930k is a hot beast.Somethings wrong with your methodology or setup, i have had this 3930k as high as 4.8 with some r4s strapped on to it, but, that creates to much noise.
ATX Cases !! Memory !!
ATX Cases !! Memory !! Ram!!
X58 sabertooth motherboard with Triple-Channel DDR3
Is there a nice list somewhere that fits/works with this awesome cooler