Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler Review

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BIOS Setting

We used the default PWM setting and left it alone!

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Sound Level Testing

We used a standard generic digital sound level meter at 15 inches. It is important to note we used the MicroCool Banchetto 101 Chassis for testing which is an open chassis. This means you are hearing the CPU coolers fan unobstructed.

Thermal Paste

We use Arctic MX-2 for all heatsink cooler tests and in fact we use it for all builds, test or otherwise. We run the AIDA64 Extreme stability test as our burn in programme for thermal paste, which allows the paste to spread out and share the love across the mating surfaces. It is worth doing, we noted a drop in throttling after 30 minutes of burn in, and we don’t like throttling!

First up, stock single fan performance. Below we have the CPUID showing 3.3Ghz stock and 3.6Ghz Turbo clocks.

cpuid-Stock

We have pitched it up against the very capable be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 with some impressive results.

Noctua NH-D15 Temp Test | amCharts


Under stock conditions the NH-D15 is 8 °C cooler which is a big margin. It is a little closer under load, but the NH-D15 still comes out on top.

Noctua NH-D15 Sound Test | amCharts


Sound levels are a little closer, but again the NH-D15 is a little easier on the ears. Both results are excellent, the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 is a competent rival for the NH-D15.

Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler

Package - 9
Performance - 9.5
Price - 9
Consumer Experience - 9

9.1

Editors Choice

The NH-D15 is a flagship model in every sense, and you will get a nerd porn feeling every time you look at it or silently use it. The Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler in our opinion is not only the flagship Noctua, it’s the best air cooler we have seen to date, and gets out Editors Choice award.

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