Noctua NH-C14S CPU Cooler Review

Next we have the overclock settings and results. We push the Intel Core i7-5820K up to 4.4Ghz using the 6 core Asus preset and adjusted our memory manually.

This is where we need to start thinking about the results. The NH-C14S is falling behind the two flagship models, at least for cooler performance under overclocking loads. The temperature results are only a couple of percent higher than the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3, just a little higher than we like.

Remember, this is in low profile set up, the main factor in this being a single fan. That’s the main point, in a single fan configuration this is where the NH-C14S starts to fall behind, though not by much.

In the sound performance stakes, it’s business as usual, with class leading performance. The results are showing the NH-C14S as a performer, you will just need to think about the second fan option to compete with the likes of the flagship models.

Out of the four tests only the overclocking temperatures set this back a little, and it is a little unfair to compare it to dual fan models, especially with relatively comparative fans sizes.

Conclusion

The Noctua NH-C14S is another excellent cooler with a history. The improvements and up to date socket compatibility make it a class leading cooler in certain circumstances, mainly small chassis set ups or at least cooling areas with certain spacial dimensions with high performance.

Would we put another fan on this cooler, no probably not, we liked it just they way it was presented and liked the low profile set up. When you test as much as we do, we are thankful for a CPU cooler that wasn’t so ungainly as to skin our knuckles or cause fitting and clearance issues.

It is a little cheaper than the flagships, and we think will actually start to be the choice of some system builders who do not want to engulf their chassis in 100% cooler!