FrostyTech Mk.III Synthetic Thermal Heatsink Test Results Intel Core i7, Extreme Edition class heatsinks tested at a 200W heat load. Results based on readings from a 38x38mm copper interface die with 200W heat load on the Intel version of the Mk.III Test Platform. Temperature results listed for each heatsink were calculated by determining the rise over ambient temperatures at time of test. Information on Frostytech's test methodology is available here. Socket LGA2011/1366 compatible CPU heatsinks
manufacturer:	model no.:	*fan speed:	200w thermal test (°c)	noise level (dba)
Noctua	NH-U14S +2nd rear fan		16.2	49.7
Noctua	NH-U14S		17.0	47.3
Silverstone	Argon AR01	high	18.8	53.0
Raijintek	Themis	high	19.7	52.8
Coolermaster	V8 GTS	high	20.0	59.7
Noctua	NH-U12S		21.1	46.2
Raijintek	Ereboss	high	21.4	49.7
Zalman	Reserator 3 Max	high	21.6	58.9
Silverstone	NT06-P	high	22.1	51.6
Raijintek	Aidos	high	23.0	55.6
Coolermaster	V8 GTS	low	30.8	41.9
Zalman	Reserator 3 Max	low	31.5	40.7
Silverstone	NT06-P	low	32.9	35.4
Silverstone	NT01-Pro	high	35.8	40.4
			200w thermal test (°c)	noise level (dba)
*heatsinks are ranked according to the 125w thermal test results column (rise over ambient temp.). low temperatures with low noise levels are considered best. for reference heatsinks with variable-speed fans, only the high speed (12v) fan test result is included in the comparison sheet; more detailed results reside in each specific heatsink review.

frostytech's socket LGA2011 Intel synthetic thermal test platform stresses socket LGA2011/1366 compatible heatsinks with a 200W heat load. Keep in mind that the AMD Integrated Heat Spreader and Intel LGA2011 Integrated Heat Spreader both measure ~38x38mm, so these test results can be extrapolated to AMD processor scenario's as well.

With a 200W heat load applied by the Intel LGA2011/1366 version of FrostyTech's synthetic thermal test platform, the Noctua NH-U14S heatsink easily maintains a temperature test result of just 17.0°C over ambient at stock fan speed (single fan). This puts the NH-U14S at the top of this very short 200 Watt heat load test list, with a very low noise level too boot.

Adding a second fan to the back of the NH-U14S fin stack improved performance slightly, to a chart topping low of 16.2°C over ambient. In the optional dual fan configuration (extra fan not included), noise output rises from ~47.3 dBA to ~49.7 dBA.

Conclusions

I've never been one to get caught up in heatsink hyperbolae, though it can be amusing to read review after review where every product is inexplicably "the best ever". Pfft, there's no such thing as the best heatsink and I know you're smarter than that.

What we've seen from Noctua's NH-U14S CPU cooler is a very well built thermal solution which gets the finer points of installation, fan changes, noise abatement, you name it, right. Soldered joints between heatpipes and aluminum fins ensure a consistent thermal joint after months or years of your computer turning on and off, heating up and cooling down, metal expanding and metal contracting. Wire fan clips won't degrade or stretch like those little rubber tabs some companies support the weight of their fans from. The Noctua mounting bracket system is standardized - that in itself is a god send given the frequency Intel has been rolling out new CPU sockets. The nickel plated copper base will resist oxidation and - gasp - is machined smoothly and flat. You get the picture, Noctua is the gold standard by which other heatsinks can be judged, even if it doesn't land tippy-top thermal performance across the board.

The only aspect you need to watch out for is height clearance; Noctua's NH-U14S stands 170mm tall, which may make it a tight fit in anything less than a full tower chassis. The addition of a (user-supplied) second NF-A15 PWM fan will give an added cooling edge, but also bumps the heatsink depth up from 79mm to 110mm. Again, there may be clearance issues with adjacent RAM modules or VRM heatsinks to consider. Ultimately, the Noctua NH-U14S is an excellent thermal solution for both Intel and AMD processors platforms. Highly Recommended.

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