Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 CPU Cooler Review

Noctua’s NH-D14 (SE2011) costs £62.98 (Overclockers UK), £64.81 (Scan Computers),£67.99 (Quiet PC) and £66.99 (Specialtech) from our preferred UK retailers while in the USA it retails for $89.99 (Newegg). It is important to note the distinction between the Noctua NH-D14 and the Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 version as only the latter will support Intel’s socket LGA 2011. That said both coolers cost more or less the same and should perform more or less identically as they are physically the same bar additional mounting materials and a PWM central fan on the SE2011 version. That said Noctua’s NH-D14 (SE2011) still strikes me as a good value cooler. If you consider what else money can buy at that £65 price point in terms of air cooling there isn’t really anything that much better, at least out-of-the-box anyway. Furthermore in terms of (AIO) water cooling at that price point your best acquisition would be a Corsair H60 which this unit would beat too. As I always say with Noctua products you are paying a premium price but you get a premium product in return and the Noctua NH-D14 (SE2011) is certainly no exception to this rule.

I never really like to critcise products and Noctua always make my job a lot easier by offering very little to criticise. As far as the NH-D14 (SE2011) goes there is very little to criticise. Sure its big and bulky and blocks loads of RAM slots as a result. However, that’s pretty obvious and any other dual tower heatsink would do the same. My only other critcisms come from an aesthetic point of view. I’d of liked to see the central fan as a matching 120mm fan to the side fan and I’d also of liked to see the fans sleeved with black cables all the way to the motor but this is something I’ve always said about Noctua products so I am sure there is some logistical reason as to why they don’t do it. It’s also worth noting you can’t really see the multi-coloured sleeved cables when the unit is installed and the only cables you can see are fully sleeved to a high quality.

This is actually a somewhat emotional review for me as after a year as the eTeknix cooling reviewer I am now moving on to different things, namely reviewing others things. As a result this is my last CPU cooler review for now, maybe for ever or maybe not – who knows, and what better way to end than with perhaps the best air CPU cooler money can buy. The Noctua NH-D14 (SE2011) is certainly well respected and has almost legendary status and after testing it, it is easy to see why. So I go out with a bang and as a very “happy bunny” after seeing the best Noctua have to offer. The Noctua NH-D14 (SE2011) may have been out for a long time but our review has never been more relevant and timely because the NH-D14 (SE2011) is still a class leader and will be until Noctua replace it for something better.

Pros

• Class leading performance
• Very Quiet
• Superb build quality
• Attention to detail is phenomenal
• Extensive bundle and accessory pack
• Price competitive with rival solutions

Cons

• Size and weight
• Cables not black all the way to the motor
• RAM obstruction
• Beige and Brown not to everyone’s taste

eTeknix says: The NH-D14 is a name that’s synonymous with quality, performance and silence. After testing Noctua’s flagship nearly four year’s after its release we can confidently say the NH-D14 is still one of the best air coolers that money can buy. If you don’t mind sacrificing your high profile RAM then there is probably no better option than Noctua’s NH-D14. It pushes air cooling to its limits and does it will all the traditional hallmarks of the Noctua brand: Quality, Excellence, Silence and Ease-Of-Use. The NH-D14 will probably reign supreme for many years to come if this showing is anything to go by.

Thank you to Noctua for providing us with this review sample.