Would you go with a Noctua NH-D14 or Corsair H50 in my case?

g0tvtec

Distinguished
Aug 17, 2009
21
0
18,510
I am using
Antec 900
i7 930 (want to OC from 3.6-4.0)
MSI X58 pro-e

My current temps with my CM 212+ is at 33c idle and 46c load. My northbridge temp is at 59c idle which is quite high. Basically I have two set-ups shown below on mind but one favors lowering the CPU more than the NB and vice versa. However from what I understand, cooling the CPU is more important than the NB. Correct me if I'm wrong.

These are my two choices:
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 (center fan only, no side fan)
NB cooler: Thermalright HR-05 SLI/IFX (no fan)

Pros: slightly lower CPU temp
Cons: slightly higher NB temp, will have to remove the second fan on the Noctua to make room for RAM heat spreaders

or

CPU cooler: Corsair H50 push / pull dual fans
NB cooler: Thermalright HR-05 IFX (normal or SLI) with fan

Pros: slightly lower NB temp, also compatible with my tall heat spreaders on the RAM
Cons: slightly higher CPU temps compared to Noctua set-up

Both of these setups cost nearly exactly the same price. CPU/NB cooler combo would you go with in my case?
 
The H50 simply doesn't do what the better air coolers can do. On top of that, because it blocks case exhaust fan ports, it increases case temps.

Check out the latest review here:

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=492&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=4

The Prolimatech Armageddon come sin 10th place in this test, just 0.16 degrees higher than the Noctua NH-D14 which came in 9th. As you can see in the comments section, the Armageddon has no problem w/ tall "Dominator" like heat sinks.


ProlimaTech Megahalems 24.29°C over ambient -4°C
Thermalright Venomous-X 24.47°C over ambient -4°C
Scythe Mugen-2 SCMG-2000 26.03°C over ambient -3°C
Cogage Arrow 26.53°C over ambient -3°C
Titan FENRIR TTC-NK85TZ 27.92°C over ambient -1°C
Zalman CNPS10X-Performa 28.08°C over ambient -1°C
Coolink Corator-DS 28.38°C over ambient -1°C
Cogage TRUE Spirit 28.39°C over ambient -1°C
Noctual NH-D14 (2x 140) 29.10°C over ambient
ProlimaTech Armageddon 29.26°C over ambient
Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme 29.40°C over ambient
CyberPowerPC XtremeGear HP-1216B 29.42°C over ambient
3R-System IceAge Prima Boss-II IA-120B2 29.46°C over ambient
Tuniq Tower-120 Extreme 29.52°C over ambient
Intel DBX-B ATS (Performance) 29.65°C over ambient
Xigmatek Balder SD1283 CAC-SXHH3-U06 30.00°C over ambient +1°C
Xigmatek Thor's Hammer S126384 30.76°C over ambient +1°C
Noctua NH-U12P 31.68°C over ambient +2°C
Thermaltake Contac-29 CLP0568 32.60°C over ambient +3°C
 

g0tvtec

Distinguished
Aug 17, 2009
21
0
18,510

However using a push / pull method with dual Yan Loon fans will generally lower my temps 4c degrees compared to the traditional H50 with a single fan.

Also with the H50 there will be less clutter meaning lower case temps as well.. So really there are advantages/disadvantages to both set-ups.

Anybody else willing to suggest which set-up to go with?