Phanteks PH-TC14PE Dual Tower CPU Cooler Review

Stock CPU TemperatureMeasuring temperatures is all about being consistent; therefore we make sure that the test is kept completely fair so that none of the coolers are at a disadvantage. We measure the CPU temperature using HWMonitor after a 15 minute idle period. We then measure the CPU temperature using HWMonitor after a 15 minute load period using Prime95 with the small FFTs setting.

The chart shows the delta CPU temperature (difference between ambient temperature and recorded CPU temperature). This way we can fairly compare each cooler without presenting any inaccuracies due to slight fluctuations in the ambient temperature or unfair results.

Here is an example of how to understand delta temperatures. “If the ambient (room) temperature is 25C and the recorded CPU temperature is 65C, the delta temperature is the CPU’s temperature rise above ambient temperature, therefore the delta temperature in this case would be 40C. If the ambient temperature is 23C and the recorded CPU Temperature is 80C, the delta temperature in this case would be 57C. Delta temperature = Recorded CPU temperature – Ambient temperature”

The PH-TC14PE makes a promising start managing to beat all of the air cooler but the might Silver Arrow in the load test. The difference between the Silver Arrow and PH-TC14PE’s performance is a very small 0.3^o​C meaning that this results can be considered a draw. The AIO liquid coolers from Corsair prove to be very tough competition due to the fact that the H100 uses a 240mm watercooling radiator to cool its liquid coolant and the H80 has the ability to use external air equal to the ambient temperature.