H100i vs Nh-D15

[Biernot]

Which one would be better for a 4790k?
I can get the H100i for a slightly cheaper price, are there big differences in temperatures/noise?

 

[envy14tpe]

They will perform very close in terms of cooling. However, the Noctua is much quieter. Many people that buy the H100i end up switching out the fans for quieter ones. Noise matters so I suggest the NH-D15. Search benchmarks and look at builds. If you do go H100i plan on spending an extra $25usd for better fans.

 

[rhysiam]

According to Guru3d it takes the H100i in maximum mode to squeeze past a single-fan D15, and it's a few degrees short of a dual fan D15. Maximum mode is significantly louder than the D15 too.
Source: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/noctua_nh_d15_review,11.html
Different processor, but it's a heavily OC'd 3770K, which is similar enough to use as a meaningful comparison.

Do bear in mind that big air coolers are really heavy on the motherboard. If you want to move your computer around (LAN parties, etc), you're much, much better off with an CLC like the H100i, even if it falls slightly short on benchmarks. Real world difference isn't going to be that much and the H100i won't tear your motherboard in half if someone knocks your rig over.

 

[Biernot]

Hmm.. Wel I don't plan on taking my rig to lan parties but I do plan on overclocking the cpu, ram and gpu, so temps and noise do matter.
Putting the exhaust at the top will help airflow inside the case? Cause my original plan was getting the d15 and add 2 fans on top. I have a fractal design R5 and it's already pretty quiet.. im not sure which one to pick.

 

[rhysiam]

Hmm.. Wel I don't plan on taking my rig to lan parties but I do plan on overclocking the cpu, ram and gpu, so temps and noise do matter.
Putting the exhaust at the top will help airflow inside the case? Cause my original plan was getting the d15 and add 2 fans on top. I have a fractal design R5 and it's already pretty quiet.. im not sure which one to pick.

As long as you can live with the weight of the D15, there's no bad choice here!

Just bear in mind that the temperature difference you're talking at *might*, *just maybe* equate to an extra 100mhz OC, but probably not! Even if it does make that difference, you're talking about 2% extra performance, and that'll only matter when your computer is CPU bound... which is almost never unless your encoding videos... in which case a 30minute encode job would finish 18 seconds faster.

Both are good coolers and in the real world once your system is all built and OC'd, it 'aint gonna make any noticeable difference. Pick the one that suits the kind of rig you're hoping to build and have fun.