NH-D14 cooling performance (including Passive)

[SEBAR]

Back in October I did some benchmark testing of the performance of my NH-D14. I was only conducting the test to see how well the NH-D14 worked in different fan configurations. I also benchmarked the NH-D14 with no fans (Passive cooling on the NH-D14).

The following is the result of the tests I performed.

Please note that the temperatures are not delta temps, these are actual temperatures from the CPU. I live in an area where the temperatures do not fluctuate a lot. The day of the test is was about 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius). The delta temperatures can easily be determined within a couple degrees variation.

Test System Specs:

(Fractal Design Define R3 Computer Case using stock cooling (1 each 120 mm front intake fan and 1 each 120 mm rear exhaust fan). Fan Speed set to low using included fan controller.

Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler using passive cooling (Fans Removed)

Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB

MSI P67A-G45

CORSAIR AX850

Corsair Force 3 120GB Solid State Drive

MSI R6850 Cyclone PE/OC

30 Minutes of PRIME 95 In-Place Large FFTs. Ambient Temp approximately 26 degrees C

Max temp of 90 degrees C was reached right at the 30 minute mark. 

**********

Fan Speed set to high using included fan controller.

(1 each 120 mm front intake fan and 1 each 120 mm rear exhaust fan)

30 Minutes of PRIME 95 In-Place Large FFTs. Ambient Temp approximately 26 degrees C

Max temp 74 degrees C

 

**********

Fan Speed set to low using included fan controller.

Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler using supplied fans and Ultra Low Noise adapter

30 Minutes of PRIME 95 In-Place Large FFTs. Ambient Temp approximately 26 degrees C

Max temp 65 degrees C

 

**********

Fan Speed set to high using included fan controller.

Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler using supplied fans and Ultra Low Noise adapter

30 Minutes of PRIME 95 In-Place Large FFTs. Ambient Temp approximately 26 degrees C

Max temp 62 degrees C

 

**********

Fan Speed set to low using included fan controller.

Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler using supplied fans and no Ultra Low Noise adapter

30 Minutes of PRIME 95 In-Place Large FFTs. Ambient Temp approximately 26 degrees C

Max temp 63 degrees C

 

**********

Fan Speed set to high using included fan controller.

Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler using supplied fans and no Ultra Low Noise adapter

30 Minutes of PRIME 95 In-Place Large FFTs. Ambient Temp approximately 26 degrees C

Max temp 61 degrees C

Here are a few Pics of the test system.

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

Looks like it'd of fried given another hour.

Thanks for posting

 

[SEBAR]

Looks like it'd of fried given another hour.

Thanks for posting

With no air flow running through the system it would be cpu suicide. You can see how much better the NH-D14 works with good airflow through the system. There is a 16 degree drop in temp by just increasing the case fan speeds in the passive scenario. The only reason to want a passive cpu cooler is to eliminate the noise of the cpu fan. The NH-D14 is not designed for passive cooling and you have to turn the other fans in the system to full in order to not fry your system. TTL did a review of the Nofan CR-95C IcePipe 95W Fanless CPU Cooler that would be a better option for passive cooling.

 

[SmoulderingCircuits]

With no air flow running through the system it would be cpu suicide. You can see how much better the NH-D14 works with good airflow through the system.

I know - mine ditches an extra 10*c with the chassis fans maxed longterm (1x rear 120mm, 2x roof 120mm)

 

[SEBAR]

I know - mine ditches an extra 10*c with the chassis fans maxed longterm (1x rear 120mm, 2x roof 120mm)

That is a huge difference in performance by just increasing the case fans, the NH-D14 is a beast.

 

[GuyIncognito]

Nice work.

 

[SEBAR]

Nice work.

Thank you.

 

[AndyMosh]

Interesting post, the NH-D14 is a beast, can't wait to get one

 

[SEBAR]

Interesting post, the NH-D14 is a beast, can't wait to get one

Thank you, The NH-D14 is the best air cooler you can get.

 

[AndyMosh]

Thank you, The NH-D14 is the best air cooler you can get.

You're right, I think they have reached the pinnacle of air cooling, just a shame about the ram slot scenario, just a good job mushkin modules fit under it nicely.

 

[Grim_Reaper]

Good job! Thanks.

Interesting post, the NH-D14 is a beast, can't wait to get one

The same here! Actually many of ppl I'm familiar with got it, even non-OC folks have NH-D14 installed. It is so good, that I don't see any reason why not to buy it. Especially when it costs less than 80$ (no warranty). It is quite outdated, but still does the job perfectly. This would be first thing I'm about to buy after my recovery, and if I will get job.

 

[SEBAR]

Good job! Thanks.

The same here! Actually many of ppl I'm familiar with got it, even non-OC folks have NH-D14 installed. It is so good, that I don't see any reason why not to buy it. Especially when it costs less than 80$ (no warranty). It is quite outdated, but still does the job perfectly. This would be first thing I'm about to buy after my recovery, and if I will get job.

Hope you get to feeling better soon.

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

The D14 works great passive unless you OC (and it's on an AMD chip

). You need something to move the air from the fins or it just collects and cooling no longer takes place, just gets hotter.

 

[Grim_Reaper]

The D14 works great passive unless you OC (and it's on an AMD chip

). You need something to move the air from the fins or it just collects and cooling no longer takes place, just gets hotter.

Exactly! I think at least one 120mm exhaust needed. You can keep it fanless, but the machine still requires something to move the warm air outside of the chassis.

Hope you get to feeling better soon.

Thank you, Sir!