NZXT Kraken X60 vs Corsair H110 vs Noctua NH-D14 ???

[PeterZ]

Hi there,
I am building a system and these are the specs of my system:
Intel® Core™ i7-3770K Processor
Asus P8Z77-V DELUXE
inside Fractal Design Define R4
other components are irrelevant.
I don't know what cooler should I put there. My options are:
NZXT Kraken X60
Corsair H110
Noctua NH-D14
What is better? in terms of cooling? in terms of noise (I think that anyway to replace the original fans from X60 and H110 to Noctua fans - they are better and quieter)?
Will the Define R4 will fit the both X60 and H110? I read that there are differences between top mounts (15 mm and 20 mm).
So what should i get?

 

[jamesriley94]

I'd say save money and get the D14.

They're great coolers, and come very close in terms of performance to the H100/H110, and with far lower noise and at half the cost!

With my D14, on the same board and processor as you, I settled for a 4.5ghz overclock and temps didn't really go above 70 degrees, and that was with both fans running at 5v. I know they aren't exactly the same chip - but that should give you a ballpark of what to expect.

If you did replace the fans, yes Noctuas are quieter, but then you're looking at like £160 for the Kraken if you replaced the fans? and with that you might as well get a custom loop.

 

[tinytomlogan]

The NZXT is 15mm spacing and the Corsair is 20mm so theres something straight away that means they wont both fit many cases......

 

[USAdystopia]

Other components ARE relevant! Am using a Corsair H100...excellent temps and very quiet using Cougar PWMs in a push/pull set up. Was planning to buy the Kraken 60 but am DEFINITELY buying the Swiftech 220...better cooling...AND...you can always add additional loops to the system if and when you decide to cool video cards or VRM...$139! Check out their CES video...very impressive temps!!

 

[airdeano]

id go NH-D14, until there is proof positive on fitment and performance of those
devices. relativly new to market and not much to go on, until the reviewers and
the first lot hit the shelves. the FD R4 as well being new already has issues with
H100 fitment needing hole relocation ofr the roof. as for the front, again till
inventory gets distributed, its a guess.. im still waiting on the X60 for my midi
for testing..