Noctua NH-D14 CPU Cooler Review

Posted by: Sahil Mannick (Helios1234) on: 11/08/2009 05:05 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]

Introduction
Product on Review: Noctua NH-D14
Manufacturer and Sponsor: Noctua
MSRP: EUR 74.90 / USD 84.90
Street Price: N/A

In this industry, companies come and go - releasing one ground shaking product followed by years of quietude. Tuniq, as previously seen, can be considered one of them remaining fairly quiet up till the release of the new Tower 120 Extreme rendition. Noctua, on the other hand, hasn't followed the same suit thankfully. Their NH-U12P has grabbed them much success and during the past few years, they have strived on supporting customers with new improved fan designs and one of the best cooler mounting kit in existence. However, their actual heatsink design has failed to upkeep that trend and sporting that same 4 heat pipe design, it now faces stiff competition from other more efficient designs.

In my previous reviews, the Noctua NH-U12P has stood out from the rest of the coolers and has been a great benchmark amongst the crowd, but regrettably has lost its crown against some new comers this year. But today we have a look at a brand new release from Noctua in the all new NH-D14. Time for Noctua to set the benchmark once again?

A little bit about Noctua:

Designed in Austria, Noctua's premium cooling components are internationally renowned for their superb quietness, exceptional performance and thoroughgoing quality. Having received more than 1000 awards and recommendations from leading hardware websites and magazines, Noctua's fans and heatsinks are chosen by more than a hundred thousand satisfied customers around the globe.

Technology
Scientific know-how pooling and state-of-the-art simulation environments allow for advanced, highly optimised products that set new benchmarks for performance to noise efficiency. Over the years, Noctua has put itself on the forefront of quiet cooling innovations with its unique, psycho-acoustically optimised impeller designs as well as new bearing and drive technologies such as the SSO-Bearing (Self-Stabilising Oil Pressure Bearing) or the Smooth Commutation Drive (SCD) system. Thanks to advanced aerodynamic design measures like Vortex-Control Notches and Bevelled Blade Tips, Noctua's products are renowned for pushing the envelope in axial fan technology.

Quality and Service
In a market that's increasingly driven by cost saving rather than customer dedication and flooded with branded budget products, we take pride in striving for excellence both in product and service quality. For example, our heatsinks feature all soldered joints for maximum performance and durability, our fans' 150,000h+ MTBF is backed up by a full 6 years manufacturer's warranty and when AMD introduced AM2 and Intel introduced LGA1366, we provided thousands of users with mounting kits for free. As a result, an ever growing base of avid Noctua users not only swears by the thoroughgoing premium quality of our products, but also by our excellent, customer-friendly service.

Known for the innovation, performance and silent acoustics, Noctua has grabbed the hearts of many enthusiasts, including many of us on the Vortez team. Enough of my ramblings now, let's see what the NH-D14 delivers.