INTRODUCTION

   With the relatively recent introduction of our new LGA2011 CPU Cooler database based on our primary Intel Core i7 3930k some of you have asked if it's possible for us to test some of the older coolers i reviewed a long time ago. Unfortunately many of those are not LGA2011 compatible, at least not up until this moment and even if they were i simply lack the time to do something like that from scratch especially since that would also mean delaying tests/reviews of brand new products. However today we will be taking a look at a product which i also reviewed in the past and more specifically the NH-C14 high performance low-profile CPU Cooler by Noctua.

   Designed in Austria, Noctua's premium cooling components are internationally renowned for their superb quietness, exceptional performance and thoroughgoing quality. Having received more than 1000 awards and recommendations from leading hardware websites and magazines, Noctua's fans and heatsinks are chosen by more than a hundred thousand satisfied customers around the globe. Noctua comes from a cooperation of the Austrian Rascom Computerdistribution Ges.m.b.H. with the Taiwanese cooling specialist Kolink International Corporation, pooling more than ten years of experience in the development, manufacturing and marketing of high-end cooling components. Established in 2005, Noctua took the international silent enthusiasts' hearts by storm and quickly developed into one of the most acclaimed suppliers of premium quality quiet cooling products. Today, Noctua is present in more than 30 countries across the globe and working with several hundred sales partners. Chosen by noise conscious PC users, system integrators and industry clients alike, Noctua has become synonymous with impeccable quality, excellent customer service and class leading quiet cooling performance.

   The reason as to why i chose the NH-C14 low-profile CPU Cooler by Noctua for this review is because most of you specifically asked to see how it performs against the latest NH-L12 and since it wasn't really hard for me to acquire it once again, this time with LGA2011 support, i simply went for it (i was also quite interested to see how it did compared to the NH-L12). Of course due to its large sized heatsink and two 140mm fans it's quite clear that there's not a low-profile CPU Cooler in the market currently that can compete with the NH-C14, still we happen to like accuracy and so just being better than the competition is not good enough for us and that's why we will be testing it with our latest LGA2011 system and against its new brother, the NH-L12.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Once again the NH-C4 arrived inside a large white box with a small product image at the front right next to the main product features.

A few words about the NH-C14 along with its features are present at left side.

The bundle contents along with the unit’s measurements are present on the right side.

At the rear we see a few words about the NH-C14, this time however written in 6 languages.

A list with the complete product specifications is placed on the top of the box.

As usual Noctua ships the bundle inside a separate cardboard box inside the main box.

Inside the second cardboard box you will find installation instructions for Intel and AMD motherboards, long metal screwdriver, NT-H1 thermal paste tube, cooler support bar (this wasn't available when the NH-C14 was first launched), case badge, 4 rubber fan mounts, 4 fan extenders (120mm to 140mm holes), 3pin y-splitter, two low noise adapters, two ultra-low noise adapters and mounting hardware for Intel LGA1366/1156/775 and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3 mainboards.

Since by default Noctua still doesn't ship the NH-C14 with LGA2011 compatibility (don't really know why) we also got the required mounting kit.

THE NOCTUA NH-C14

For a low-profile CPU Cooler the NH-C14 is quite massive and measures 130mm in height, 140mm in width, 166mm in depth while weighing a total of 1000g with both 140mm fans installed.

We hardly ever see C-type low-profile CPU Coolers with two fans in push and pull configuration and when we do they certainly don't feature two 140mm fans like the NH-C14.

Superb craftsmanship has always been Noctua’s trademark and that can be easily seen just by looking at the front of the unit.

The engraved Noctua logo really looks great.

As you can see almost the entire area of the heatsink is covered by the 140mm fans which in turn can reach speeds of up to 1200RPM and produce airflow of up to 65CFM at 19dBA.

Removing the fans is extremely easy thanks to the special fan clips used by Noctua.

A total of 68 aluminum fins spaced at around 0.4mm from each other are present on the NH-C14.

The two holes seen on the previous picture combined with the supplied screwdriver make things very easy when installing the unit.

A total of six, 6mm all copper nickel plated heatpipes are present at the rear along with a steel support rod for the heatsink and the two fans.

The base is even from side to side and has zero machine marks visible, however I’d really like it more if it came polished from the factory.

TEST BED

TESTING METHODOLOGY

     I always take things quite seriously when it comes to work so just like with the previous LGA1366 database we will not be testing each CPU Cooler on its own and with different ambient temperature levels so we can actually have yet another valid CPU Cooler database. Testing a CPU Cooler automatically means that you need to know where it stands against the immediate competition and to accomplish that we have spent both money and time through the years, something that i plan to continue to do so in order to get the most accurate results for the end users who read these lines. Every CPU cooler in this database will be tested with its bundled 140mm/120mm/92mm/80mm fans while working at 100% of their speeds for all the temperature tests. CPU Coolers that do not come bundled with a fan/s are measured using a Noctua fan (size dependent on the model) to test for the temperature tests but due to the lack of a stock fan we will not be measuring their dBA levels. For the dBA test every cooler in the database was measured both while on idle mode or with the fan controller in the minimum setting and while on extreme load or with the fan controller all the way to the highest possible setting. PWM fans do that or their own without our intervention. Every single test takes place in a temperature controlled room of 23 degrees Celsius Ambient Temp with the help of two AC units placed diagonally inside the room. The Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste is used with every CPU Cooler in our latest LGA2011 database (although initially this was not the plan we had to change things to get the most accurate results). Finally it's very important to point out that just because a CPU Cooler is better than another when tested with our test rig CPU, the Intel Core i7-3930k that does not necessarily mean that the same performance differences will apply 100% for other CPU models and in other situations (such as different ambient temps and system configurations).

     To successfully record the load temperatures we use the latest OCCT application for around 6-10 minutes to push the processor to its limits and after that is done and the temperatures are recorded we wait for about 10-20 minutes for the CPU to cool down and record the idle temperatures. This is done to allow time for the thermal conductive material to achieve the optimal performance level. Same procedure is then repeated with the Passmark BurnIn Test as a failsafe just in case the OCCT results are wrong. This procedure takes a lot more time than the usual peltier/thermometer tests but this way not only can we deliver real world results to our readers based on real CPUs but we can also triple check the results using a variety of programs. Last but not least the temperatures were recorded using both the latest versions of AIDA64 and RealTemp while the noise level tests are performed using a high precision ExTech HD600 Decibel Meter placed about 10-15cm above the CPU Cooler. Still although the same testing procedure applies to all units do take into consideration that unlike the official numbers which are measured in special noise isolated labs with just the fans here we also have both the rest of the cooler and the rest of the system (although all system fans are turned off when recording noise levels).

TEST RESULTS

CONCLUSION

   Having already reviewed the NH-C14 well over a year ago i knew exactly how good it would turn out to be but switching to another test rig with a brand new CPU is reason enough to test something again especially if you want to see just how good it is compared to the new kid on the block. Well as expected the new NH-L12 low-profile CPU Cooler by Noctua was not match against the year old NH-C14 and although i did expect a larger performance gap between those two (i did expect at least 3 degrees difference) still the end result is what really matters and so if you are looking to get the best low-profile CPU Cooler (well perhaps not the lowest one available so be sure it fits first) in the market currently look no further since it can't get any better than the NH-C14.

   Perhaps the only thing all CPU Coolers have common is that their prices never actually fall, at least not significantly and so the Noctua NH-C14 retails for around USD90 inside the USA and 70Euros inside the EU. Well not much more to say, with the NH-C14 Noctua currently holds the 1st place in terms of performance between all the low-profile CPU Cooling solutions currently available but because of its somewhat high price tag some people may choose to opt for the less expensive NH-L12 which may not be as powerful but i really doubt most people will feel the difference (not to mention it's smaller). Still the NH-C14 is the best low-profile CPU Air Cooler available currently and that's why it grabs our Platinum award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Performance
- Low-Profile
- Two 140mm Fans
- Low Noise Levels
- 6 Years Warranty 

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- LGA2011 Mounting Kit Not Included