Tests

Testbed:

• Intel Xeon X3450 CPU
• Intel DP55KG motherboard
• Microsoft Windows 7
• Digital thermometer Aktakom ATT-2002 with a calibrated K-type thermocouple integrated into processor cover
• Victor VC86C multimeter with a calibrated K-type thermocouple

We tested the cooler under high heat load: 3.81GHz processor clock rate, V_CC = 1.4125V, V_TT = 1.2V, heat power emitted through CPU cover is 185W, the full power is about 210W.

Two more rigs were tested aside from the regular testbed: with only the primary fan and with only the secondary fan installed upside down (drives air away from the motherboard). The complete test method is here (in Russian).

CPU cover temperature, lowest possible noise

Thermal resistance, lowest possible noise

An excellent result. As you can see, a typical dual-fan NH-C14 is almost on a par with the two champions Noctua NH-D14 and Thermalright IFX-14. In turn, the single-fan setup is the best among single-fan configurations. Perhaps, the only drawback is that the lowest-noise setup (bottom fan, upside-down) isn't the most efficient. But it's still decent.

Speaking of processor temperature, almost all coolers fail to keep it in within the safe range (maybe except Noctua NH-D14). In order to provide reasonable cooling at 180W to 190W, you'll have to either increase fan speed up to 600-700 rpm or choose a more efficient solution.

CPU cover temperature, relatively noiseless domain (<24 dBA)

Thermal resistance, relatively noiseless domain (<24 dBA)

The dual-fan NH-C14 remains on top along with Noctua NH-D14 and Thermalright IFX-14. The single-fan setups are either on a par with Thermalright IFX-14 (bottom fan) or even better (top fan). This means that NH-C14 is perfectly suited for working in noiseless environments — in both high-end HTPCs and full-fledged PCs.

Now let's take a look at the low-noise domain where competitors also include Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus, Ice Hammer IH-4350B and Thermaltake Contac 29.

CPU cover temperature, low-noise domain (24 dBA to 30 dBA)

Thermal resistance, low-noise domain (24 dBA to 30 dBA)

And again the dual-fan NH-C14 performs well — on a par with solid towers like Scythe Mugen 2, Thermaltake Frio and GlacialTech Alaska. The single-fan setup only loses to Thermalright IFX-14. However, as noise increases, NH-C14 begins to yield to the leaders.

Write a comment below. No registration needed!