Noctua NH-C14 or NH-D14 with Dominator RAM

[notshy]

Hi guys,

I've got a i7-930, GA-X58A-UD3R v2, 6GB if Corsair Dominator CL8 RAM, Fractal Design R2 case, a bunch of Sharkoon Silent Eagle SE and Fractal fans and a Zalman CNPS 10x Quiet cooler.

I'm a music producer and built the machine as a bit of a hobby and loving it. I'm running a dual boot OSX and Win 7 and with a bit of help from some guys over at another forum (I won't say in case that's bad form) I've got my 930 up to 3.8Ghz and it's rock solid with top temps around 65-70C.

I'm interested in cutting down the noise of my box so I'm going to experiment with the silent voltage cables for my Sharkoon fans and I'm also looking around at maybe getting a new cooler.

I've just been reading about the NH-C14 and seen that it seems to be performing as well as or not far off the NH-D14 which I know you guys love and respect. I've read all about the NH-D14 and the Dominator RAM and either removing some of the fins or lifting the front fan on the cooler. But I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the NH-C14 given it seems to perform as well? Or do you guys think stick with the NH-D14?

Has anyone here done any testing with the NH-C14? Or should I just dive in with the NH-D14 and join the club?

 

[tinytomlogan]

C14 is a bit meh and cant cope with overclocks on the 1366 chips dude. Just get the D14 and do what you have to to mount it.

Each motherboard is different so youll have to see what you need to do with yours when you get it

 

[marsey99]

d14 with only 1 fan is still a very good option or you couold see if the ram fits in slots 2,4 and 6 with both fans.

 

[Aurus_OC]

Just get a D14 and get those tops of the Dominator ram.

 

[notshy]

I thought you guys would say this ! Looks like I'm gonna go get involved with the NH-D14 then! I've just checked the hight of it and it seems to be 160mm the same as my current cooler so it should fit in OK.

I'll have a selection of TIM's to chose from - I've got the Zalman stuff from before, the Noctua stuff and also some Artic Silver 5 because I recently fixed a mates board and that's what he bought.

Are people generally in support of the AS5 instead of the NT-H1 or ZM-STG2? I know the AS5 has a long burn in time but just wondering your thoughts. Also are people here in favour of the pea in the middle. strip of TIM or even spread with a credit card methods?

 

[marsey99]

as5 is so 06 mate, nt-h1 is better as are about a dozen other tims, ic7 being my fave atm even tho its a pita to apply/clean.

 

[Aurus_OC]

I actually really like the NT-H1, it is working great for me. I haven't used the other ones you mentioned, so I can't comment on them.

 

[notshy]

Just done some reading up - IC7 sounds like rock solid glue! Did you have to heat it up at all before applying?

 

[Aurus_OC]

Just done some reading up - IC7 sounds like rock solid glue! Did you have to heat it up at all before applying?

You talking about the Noctua? If so, no I just applied it straight when I got my D14.

 

[marsey99]

Just done some reading up - IC7 sounds like rock solid glue! Did you have to heat it up at all before applying?

you dont have to but i found it made it give the best performance from the off and from a cold application it could take a day or 2 to get the same temps. it also made a lot easier to push it out the tube xD