Quietest Cooler for i7 6700k

Lars01

Distinguished
Aug 6, 2013
299
0
18,790
I need the quietest Cooler for a i7 6700k. I am doing a very quiet build. I have looked at Noctua nh d14 and nh d15. Which is the quietest? Which Cooler would you go for If quiet is very important? I will not overclock it in the near future, maybe in some Years. I actually dont know If i am getting the i5 6600k or the i7 6700k though. I will use the pc for gaming. Need answer before black friday, thanks :pt1cable:
 
http://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_Heatsinks

According to this list, the Thermalright Silver Arrow is the quietest on their list while being nearly the coolest, as it does go into the lowest dba range, it's also showing the Noctua nh d14 as pretty close. It just isn't quite as cool while doing so.

I do believe that any of these can be used without fans lowering temps more, but it would limit your OC ability.

I have the silver arrow, and it is a very good cooler. I think the prices have gone up on it since then, unfortunately.
 


You didn't read the chart right. It never achieves the quietest range. The chart seems to be in order of coolest first, and quietest 2nd. If the HSF does not reach the last column on the right, it never gets to that low of a dBA. The first cooler is the coolest, but the 3rd one in the list is the first one to reach the 11-12dBA range, while the first one is louder at 17-18dBA.

Anyways, the D14 with the 2 ref fans is the one you mentioned above that reaches the low 11-12dBA range with the best cooling of your choices.
 

Lars01

Distinguished
Aug 6, 2013
299
0
18,790
I am sorry, but i can't understand the chart. I guess i am getting a Noctua D14 or noctua d15. I have read that the d15 is quieter Than the d14 in forums and a review. That is wierd because the d14 is Max 20 desibel i think and the d15 is Max 26 desibel i think. Can you help me with this? And btw, the Case i am going to use is a fractal design r5 If that is important.
 


The max dBA you see is relative to the test machine and distance that they tested at, so another site is going to give different results.

With the chart I showed you, they have several columns from left to right with a dBA listed and in the column they write down how much hotter over their delta the CPU got when it reached those dBA. If there isn't a number in that column, it never got to that noise range. The first 2 coolers in the list never got a reading in the lowest dBA range, so they are not the quietest. The Silver Arrow was the first one that can be put into that last column of the quietest. Both of the ones you listed do too, and the D14 had the lowest temperature while doing it of those 2.