Question Noctua D14 or D15?

[Hypoltan]

I'm looking to OC the i5 9600k along with the gigabyte z390 gaming x, but I don't want to spend that much money. Air cooling is definitely my first choice, should I go with the D14 or D15, or is there a better choice within the same price range (or less)?
How much of a performance difference is there?

 

[Karadjgne]

NH-D15S. The offset gives much better clearance for gpus with backplates and ram. It's only 3-4°C behind the NH-D15. Can also go with the Cryorig R1 Universal or beQuiet Darkrock Pro 3 or 4

 

[Hypoltan]

NH-D15S. The offset gives much better clearance for gpus with backplates and ram. It's only 3-4°C behind the NH-D15. Can also go with the Cryorig R1 Universal or beQuiet Darkrock Pro 3 or 4

Cool. How is the performance difference between the D14 and D15, is it really worth it?

 

[Serinox]

Cool. How is the performance difference between the D14 and D15, is it really worth it?

It´s quite slim, so paying much more for the D15 wouldn´t be worth it. On the other hand, you can use these coolers for many years so you still might consider it.

If you are looking for alternatives i can recommend the Thermalright Grand Macho RT.

 

[Hypoltan]

It´s quite slim, so paying much more for the D15 wouldn´t be worth it. On the other hand, you can use these coolers for many years so you still might consider it.

If you are looking for alternatives i can recommend the Thermalright Grand Macho RT.

Dang. Never heard of that one, the prices seem alright, but how does the performance compare?

 

[Karadjgne]

D14, D15S, D15, Macho GT, Darkrock Pro 3/4 are all top line coolers capable of over 220w. You'll be lucky to get that 9600k to 180w. All you need is a cooler that'll keep the cpu at 70ish or under in a stress temp 100% load. Whether that temp is 55 or 60 doesn't matter to anything except a benchmark. If getting the best possible performance is your aim, forget about the budget, you'll just need to justify the expense for a few °C.

 

[Hypoltan]

D14, D15S, D15, Macho GT, Darkrock Pro 3/4 are all top line coolers capable of over 220w. You'll be lucky to get that 9600k to 180w. All you need is a cooler that'll keep the cpu at 70ish or under in a stress temp 100% load. Whether that temp is 55 or 60 doesn't matter to anything except a benchmark. If getting the best possible performance is your aim, forget about the budget, you'll just need to justify the expense for a few °C.

Very true. Should I go for something lower like the cryorig h7?

 

[Serinox]

Very true. Should I go for something lower like the cryorig h7?

All coolers above will get the job done. I would choose the one which suits you most. D15 is the strongest, the Macho RT the most quiet one.
I wouldn´t recommend a lesser cooler, because you can reuse this coolers aslong as the manufacturer is providing you with mounting kits. You will get these likely only for the shipping cost.

 

[Karadjgne]

If I said cooling a cpu is like digging a hole on a hot day, would you understand? You can use the garden trowel, you'll be there digging all day and get nothing accomplished except for a good sunburn. Or you could use a shovel and be done in a few minutes.

There's only one reason ever to use a small cooler, and thats physical limitations of the case. You cannot over cool a cpu, it's impossible. All you end up with is fans spinning at lower rpm. But you sure can under cool a cpu and end up with a hot cpu.

The H7 would be a good stock replacement or extremely mild OC. And that's all.

Use the right tool for the job. If you want OC, get the right cooler. Or don't OC.

 

[Hypoltan]

If I said cooling a cpu is like digging a hole on a hot day, would you understand? You can use the garden trowel, you'll be there digging all day and get nothing accomplished except for a good sunburn. Or you could use a shovel and be done in a few minutes.

There's only one reason ever to use a small cooler, and thats physical limitations of the case. You cannot over cool a cpu, it's impossible. All you end up with is fans spinning at lower rpm. But you sure can under cool a cpu and end up with a hot cpu.

The H7 would be a good stock replacement or extremely mild OC. And that's all.

Use the right tool for the job. If you want OC, get the right cooler. Or don't OC.

Thank you. Sounds really good. Except I do hear elsewhere that cpu coolers are a case of diminishing returns, is this true, and is it just necessary to pay more for it?

 

[Karadjgne]

Of course coolers are a case of diminishing returns. That's inherent in the fact that there's only so much mobo real estate to be had, so much case volume to be had..

Budget coolers start at about 140w for $30ish. 180w-200w coolers are $60ish and 250w+ are $90ish.

At idle they are all roughly the same temp, @6-10°C above ambient. For $30 it'll keep a load under 70ish°C. For $60 it'll keep same load under 60°C. For $90 you'll be closer to 55°C.

So yes, diminishing returns. In that sense. Considering the cpu doesn't care whatsoever about any temp under throttle. To the cpu, 80°C is identical parameters to 50°C it's only the user who cares. In that sense.

But if your game play puts temps into cpu throttle, I guarantee that diminishing returns or not, your cpu cooler is far to underwhelming for the job. Not only are you possibly damaging the cpu, you are taking away your own enjoyment of the game. Far better to have an over-sized cooler, sitting nice and quiet, with the potential to handle anything you might hit it with than skimp out and get a cooler that's buzzing away at full speed fans, barely able to maintain viable temps in average loads and nowhere capable enough to handle a heavy workload the next greatest game might hit it with, all because you have an issue with 'diminishing returns'.

Get the right cooler for the job, or a better one, either is good. Don't keep trying to justify skimping out over a few $. A $1000 pc is rendered useless if the cpu dies due to you trying to save $10

 

[Hypoltan]

Of course coolers are a case of diminishing returns. That's inherent in the fact that there's only so much mobo real estate to be had, so much case volume to be had..

Budget coolers start at about 140w for $30ish. 180w-200w coolers are $60ish and 250w+ are $90ish.

At idle they are all roughly the same temp, @6-10°C above ambient. For $30 it'll keep a load under 70ish°C. For $60 it'll keep same load under 60°C. For $90 you'll be closer to 55°C.

So yes, diminishing returns. In that sense. Considering the cpu doesn't care whatsoever about any temp under throttle. To the cpu, 80°C is identical parameters to 50°C it's only the user who cares. In that sense.

But if your game play puts temps into cpu throttle, I guarantee that diminishing returns or not, your cpu cooler is far to underwhelming for the job. Not only are you possibly damaging the cpu, you are taking away your own enjoyment of the game. Far better to have an over-sized cooler, sitting nice and quiet, with the potential to handle anything you might hit it with than skimp out and get a cooler that's buzzing away at full speed fans, barely able to maintain viable temps in average loads and nowhere capable enough to handle a heavy workload the next greatest game might hit it with, all because you have an issue with 'diminishing returns'.

Get the right cooler for the job, or a better one, either is good. Don't keep trying to justify skimping out over a few $. A $1000 pc is rendered useless if the cpu dies due to you trying to save $10

Great. Thanks for making everything so much clearer