Ok, on with the tests. Below we have the CPUID showing 3.3Ghz stock and 3.6Ghz Turbo clocks.We used the i7-5820K. and some Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 2666Mhz.
With level 1 and 2 cache at 32Kb and 256Kb respectively, overshadowed by a whopping 15Mb level 3 cache. This should give the NH-D15S some trouble!
Remember this is a single fan heatsink, so second place just behind its older brother is excellent. It speaks volumes about what your heatsink and fan are up to at certain temperature ranges.
The two fan variant NH-D15 is still cooling your CPU at stock idle settings, important because you will be doing that a lot. A setting adjustment on your fan speed will sort this as your fan setting is not entirely aligned with your heatsink capability.
When it comes to the load test, the heatsink and fan are matched for performance, able to move the same amount of energy as the two fan version.
Sound-wise, this throws a little surprise out there, under load the single fan version achieved the smallest margin ahead of the two fan version, though you could argue it would be imperceptible, and you would be right.
We could possibly argue that the two fans are causing some turbulence and therefore some of the heat is momentarily getting trapped. You could say the fans maybe cancelling out part of their own performance, but you can make your own mind up about that.
Besides all of that, the performance is stellar, I know which one I would pay my money for at this point.
We would suggest removing one of your fans from your NH-15 or be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 if you have one, it may just surprise you.
