Testing the cooler

Time to test. As stated in the introduction, the cooler works absolutely stunning with any high-end processor (Core i5/i7 quad-core included) at default operating speeds.

Let me show you something, this is a Core i5 750 processor clocked at stock temperatures being cooled by the Noctua (PWM controlled by BIOS):

• Core i5 750 in IDLE -- 24 Degrees C (75F)
• Core i5 750 with 100% LOAD -- 41 Degrees C (106F)

Now, that's PWM controlled and at low RPM. At this stage a near silent cooling solution really, we can already tell that the cooler will bring massive performance.

So for some real testing we decided to test it on a new fairly high-end system with higher specs that is mildly overclocked. With such baseline temperatures we changes the processor to a Core i7 870 to see where we'd end up overclocking wise.

Methodology -- We use an eVGA p55 Classified 200 motherboard, equip it with a Core i7 870 processor,  which we overclock towards 3.4 GHz. Now we'll test the cooler in two utilization stages:

1. Actively cooled - yet CPU has nothing to do (IDLE)
2. Actively cooled - four processors cores 100% stressed (LOAD)

Let's have a look at the results.

Now since this is a new test platform based on Socket LGA 1156 we have very few results available from other coolers, but you can see the big picture real fast -- the NH-D14 cooler hauls ass as it immediately takes first place with a massive margin. Granted -- all other coolers are all mainstream heat pipe based coolers often twice as cheap.

Please understand for the above results -- temperatures are based on an overclocked processor with a little extra voltage (1.3v) added and the fan speed locked at 80% RPM -- temperatures wise -- obviously LOWER = BETTER.

So then -- at 100% CPU load on all 4 cores (Prime 95 stressed) is what you like to focus on -- the red bar.

• With the processor in idle expect cooler temperatures of roughly 28 Degrees C / 82 F (we take the temperatures of the four cores and average them out).
• With the processor's four cores stressed 100% we max out at 49 C / 120 F.

So for a cooler in this price-range it's pretty inspiring. But let's have a peek at noise levels.

All fans cooling the CPU cooler in our tests have been fixed at 80% RPM -- roughly the fan speed your motherboard will apply when the processor is getting hot. On average and especially PWM controller, the noise level as such will be much lower,

The cooler does have another strong selling point, though not silent if the CPU is heating up  -- it is not very noisy at all. Which is great. Our system maxed out at roughly 42 DBa with this cooler. And that's the DBa level for the entire PC, not just the cooler.

Let's overclock some more, shall we ?