Final Thoughts
Noctua does it again! We have another great CPU cooler that performs great, is quiet, and is extremely easy to install. I think that if Noctua actually put out a bad product the whole world including myself would be shocked!
The whole idea with the NH-C14S was to take the original NH-C14 and make it more compatible with larger memory modules, PCI-Express card, and smaller form factor systems. With the fan installed on the top of the heatsink (high clearance mode) you have up to 70mm for memory modules with larger heatspreaders. With the fan installed below the heatsink (low profile mode) the entire cooler sits at only 115 mm tall, which means it can fit in smaller form factor cases. Compared to the original NH-C14, the layout of the NH-C14S has been offset in two axis. Thanks to this measure, the heatsink will clear the top PCIe slot on most µATX and ATX motherboards when the bendings of the heatpipes face the PCIe slots or the I/O panel.
With larger heatsinks installation can be a little tricky, but not with the NH-C14S. It was one of the easier CPU cooler installations that I’ve done lately. The directions are very clear and Noctua does include the screwdriver that you need to complete the installation. With the NH-C14S you don’t even have to remove the fan to get the cooler installed!
When it comes to performance the NH-C14S was at the top of our test group and was only beat out by the Cryorig R1 Ultimate and just barely! That is quite impressive for a C-type cooler!
Right now the NH-C14S is selling at my favorite online retailer for $89, which seems to be the price for most air coolers with this type of performance. Keep in mind the cooler comes with a 6-year warranty that should last you through a few builds. Overall ThinkComputers gives the Noctua NH-C14S a 10 out of 10 score and our Recommended Award!
Pros:
– Great Performance
– Easy installation
– Clearance for large memory modules and PCI-Express cards
– Fan can be installed on the top or bottom
– Extra fan clips included for a second fan
Cons:
– None that I found
