Noctua NH-C14 CPU cooler review - Features

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.