CPU Air Cooler Mega Test
Technical Specification
| Dimensions | 115/142x140x163mm (HxWxD) |
| CPU | Intel: 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 2011/v3. Â AMD: FM1, FM2/+, AM2/+, AM3/+ |
| Heat pipes | 6x6mm copper pipes |
| Fins | 66 (might be 65, I lost count) |
| Materials | Aluminium fins, copper base |
| Fan Speed | 1x140mm fan @1500 |
| Noise Level | Max 24.6dB(A) |
| Air Flow | 82.5CFMÂ |
| Air Pressure | Not given |
| Weight | 1015g |
Â
Up Close
Whilst the un-boxing of a Noctua product is undeniably a wonderful experience, I sometimes think i’d do better with a degree in cardboard origami reverse engineering. Â The two pictures below show the stage we’re at after we’ve opened the outer box, removed the 3 fittings boxes, removed the card spacer and then removed the inner box from the outer box, and we’re still not at the actual cooler yet.
Â
As you can see the NH-C14S is a top down cooler, offering either a low profile solution at just 115mm, or a high clearance option at 142mm. Â If you opt for the high clearance solution then you’ll be able to use RAM with a max height of 70mm. Â Of course being a top down cooler it will also offer cooling to near socket components as well as the RAM itself.
Â
The colours maybe uninspiring, but there’s no denying the quality. Â Oh, and if you’re wondering why we’ve said there are six heat pipes when you can see seven, it’s because the central one isn’t a heat pipe, it’s a support strut in disguise.
Â
We’re only using standard height RAM, but as you can see there’s stacks of room underneath.  The large frontage area does though mean it gets’ awfully close to the first PCI socket.  Surprisingly for Noctua, the C14S doesn’t do as well as other Noctuas have, missing out on the Top flow top spot to the SilverStone NT06 Pro, albeit by only .25 of a degree though.  When you consider that the SilverStone also costs nearly£10 less and has a black fan the decision becomes and easy one to make.
