- Review -

08.10.2018 Performance-Computer.com

Our non-delidded Intel Core i7-8700K was overclocked to 5GHz and the NH-D15S had 1 NF-A15 HS-PWM chromax fan installed. Our idle temperatures hovered around 29° which was only slightly higher than our EVGA CLC 240 AIO liquid cooling unit. We were impressed with these initial results. However, even more impressive is our 79° temperature during 100% load! Just as with our idle temperatures, the D15S stayed in range of a high-quality 240mm liquid cooling unit, no pump noise necessary! If we installed a 2nd fan, the D15S might even surpass an AIO. So, if you are after the highest possible performance and feel you must have an AIO to attain it, think again. The Noctua D15S is a most capable heatsink and it shows exactly why AIOs have not replaced traditional CPU cooling solutions. Plus, there is literally no maintenance with the D15S. Yes, AIOs don’t require maintenance but the liquid mixture inside them does eventually breakdown and they have been known to fail and even ruin systems with water going everywhere. These situations are rare but nevertheless do occur.

"The Noctua NH-D15S is a fantastic value. Yes, it’s a bit more expensive but it’s well worth the investment. Not only does it rival AIOs in performance, it does so while maintaining a much lower noise profile." (Performance-Computer.com)