Updating PC parts for a quiet system

mufc802 · 27 Nov 2016 at 19:39

Currently have an ITX system using the Corsair 380T and am looking to go with a full ATX system.

I've ordered the Phantex Evolv ATX case which comes tomorrow, and I'm looking for a good CPU cooler for a 4790K with a heavy overclock that will keep it cool and remain quiet. I've seen the Noctua NH-U14S which looks good, or is there anything better? Would rather avoid AIO because of pump noise.

I was going to stick with the 2x140 Phanteks PH-F140SP intake/1 exhaust, are these fans worth sticking with or should they be upgraded? I've seen the Noctua industrial fans seem like the best, are they worth upgrading to or would I not notice much difference in noise/temperatures?

doyll · 28 Nov 2016 at 15:25

NH-U14S is good cooler. Just make sure you have about 77-78mm from center CPU toward PCIe sockets. It is 150mm wide / 75mm (without fan clips) from center CPU toward PCIe sockets.

Other coolers to consider are NH-D14, PH-TC14PE, NH-D15S (no better than NH-D14), Dark Rock Pro 3, Alpenfohn Olymp (also 75mm toward PCIe), and many more.

The 3x PH-F140SP stock fan are quite good. No need to change them. Noc iPPC are about the same as same RPM .. and higher RPM is too loud for most of use.

mufc802 · 28 Nov 2016 at 22:05

I'm getting the MSI Gaming 5 Z97 board so it should have enough room up to the graphics card with that cooler. I'd rather not get the larger Noctua coolers as they take up too much room and don't seem that much better performance.

My new case arrived and the stock fans are indeed good, so I will stick with them for now. Going to order the NH-U14S and motherboard in a few days, for now I am stuck with the loud stock cooler.

doyll · 29 Nov 2016 at 11:05

Z97 Gaming 5 has 70.5 center CPU to near side of 1st socket, and 92mm to near side of 2nd, which is first x16 socket. It is 51mm to near side of RAM.

Even though I test coolers, when I buy one for my own use I do it planning to use it for many years .. on more than one motherboard. To me they are a long term investment. I'm sitll using my 4x heatpipe Thermalright Ultra from 2011.

If you watch our member's market, you can probalby find a good deal on a used cooler. Maybe not a NH-U14S, but one that will cool just as well and as quiet for less money. What RAM are you using?

Quartz · 29 Nov 2016 at 11:38

doyll said:
Other coolers to consider are NH-D14, PH-TC14PE, NH-D15S (no better than NH-D14

IIRC the D15 is very slightly quieter. 1 db or so.

doyll · 29 Nov 2016 at 13:10

Quartz said:
IIRC the D15 is very slightly quieter. 1 db or so.

At full speed it is in the middle .. about 43dB
Dark Rock Pro 3 is 40dB
Cryorig R1 Ultimate is 45dB
PH-TC14TC is 46dB, but that is with older PH-F140HP, and they now come with PH-F140HP_II

It takes a 3dB change for human ear to register a change in volume, meaning to our ears they all sound about the same volume.

mufc802 · 29 Nov 2016 at 20:27

doyll said:
Z97 Gaming 5 has 70.5 center CPU to near side of 1st socket, and 92mm to near side of 2nd, which is first x16 socket. It is 51mm to near side of RAM.

Even though I test coolers, when I buy one for my own use I do it planning to use it for many years .. on more than one motherboard. To me they are a long term investment. I'm sitll using my 4x heatpipe Thermalright Ultra from 2011.

If you watch our member's market, you can probalby find a good deal on a used cooler. Maybe not a NH-U14S, but one that will cool just as well and as quiet for less money. What RAM are you using?

Excellent knowledge thank you! I don't plan on using the first socket so I seem to be fine with enough clearance to the x16 socket.

I will have a look around the members market, otherwise will go for the Noctua one new. I am using Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (2x8GB) RAM.

DarkBahamut · 29 Nov 2016 at 21:14

doyll said:
At full speed it is in the middle .. about 43dB
Dark Rock Pro 3 is 40dB
Cryorig R1 Ultimate is 45dB
PH-TC14TC is 46dB, but that is with older PH-F140HP, and they now come with PH-F140HP_II

It takes a 3dB change for human ear to register a change in volume, meaning to our ears they all sound about the same volume.

That doesn't really work when comparing fans/heatsinks though. It might be hard to tell a sound a couple of dB apart if it's a fixed frequency, but different fans will produce different frequency outputs and therefore two fans even at exactly the same dB can sound completely different and have a different perceived loudness.

That said >40dB is way too loud anyway