Tuesday, July 2nd 2024
Noctua Announces $150 Flagship NH-D15 G2 CPU Coolers and NF-A14x25r G2 140mm Fans
Noctua today released its long-awaited NH-D15 G2 next-gen flagship model CPU cooler and NF-A14x25r G2 round-frame 140 mm fans. Continuing the legacy of the iconic NH-D15 and its NF-A15 fans, the new G2 products come packed with Noctua's latest technologies and have been carefully refined in all respects to provide even better quiet cooling performance than their award-winning predecessors.
"Our G2 products have been years in the making, and it feels amazing to finally be able to offer the first of them to our customers", says Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO). "We faced various challenges in both design and manufacturing, but we've cut no corners and gone the extra mile to make sure that the G2's will be worthy successors to some of our most iconic models. When you have them in your hands, I'm confident that you'll be able to sense some of the dedication and perseverance that went into creating these fans and coolers."The NH-D15 G2 is the further improved second generation of Noctua's iconic NH-D15. With its state-of-the-art, speed-offset NF-A14x25r G2 PWM fans, eight heatpipes and asymmetrical fin-stacks that have been carefully fine-tuned to work in tandem with the new fans, it achieves even better quiet cooling performance than its award-winning predecessor. As such, the G2 version is a true flagship model that continues the legacy of the original NH-D15 by pushing the boundaries of air cooling and rivalling the efficiency of many all-in-one (AIO) water cooling solutions.
In addition to its further improved performance, the NH-D15 G2 also offers enhanced compatibility thanks to an offset construction that allows it to clear the top PCIe x16 slot on most current motherboards. Last but not least, the G2 version has been upgraded to the Torx -based SecuFirm2+ multi-socket mounting system with included NM-SD1 screwdriver as well as to Noctua's superior NT-H2 thermal compound. In short, the NH-D15 G2 has been further refined in virtually all respects from the heatsink and the fans all the way down to the mounting, thermal paste and accessory package. Topped off with Noctua's trusted 6-year manufacturer's warranty, it's the new number one choice for customers who demand the best of the best in air cooling.
Taking platform-specific optimisation to a new level, the NH-D15 G2 is available in a regular, standard version and two specialised variants: The regular NH-D15 G2 uses the same medium base convexity as most other Noctua heatsinks, which makes it a perfect all-rounder that provides optimal results on AM5 with the included offset mounting and on LGA1700 CPUs when utilising the included NM-ISW1 shim washers (or optional, so-called contact frames ) to reduce CPU deformation from ILM pressure. The HBC (High Base Convexity) variant is specifically optimised for LGA1700 processors that are used with full ILM pressure or have become permanently deformed in long-term use, providing excellent contact quality despite the CPU's concave shape. The LBC (Low Base Convexity) variant, by contrast, is specifically optimised for relatively flat CPUs. As such, it offers excellent contact quality on AMD AM5 even without the offset mounting as well as on other comparably flat CPUs (e.g. AM4, LGA2066, LGA2011(-3), lapped or custom flat heatspreaders, etc.).
For customers who would like to upgrade existing heatsinks such as the first-generation NH-D15, NH-D15S or NH-U14S series coolers, the new round-frame NF-A14x25r G2 fans will also be available separately, both in a regular single fan package (NF-A14x25r G2 PWM) and a dedicated dual fan package for push-pull configurations (NF-A14x25r G2 PWM Sx2-PP). Like the fans that come pre-installed on the NH-D15 G2, the ones included in the Sx2-PP set are fine-tuned with a 50rpm speed offset to prevent acoustic interaction phenomena such as periodic humming or intermittent vibrations.
The square frame version of the NF-A14x25 G2 fan for water cooling radiators and case cooling applications is currently scheduled for September.
Performance Claims
[Editor's Note: Some of the graphs do not start at 0, which could visually skew the results for you.]Refer to this Noctua article for the company's performance claims.
Product PagesSuggested retail prices
The manufacturer's suggested retail prices are as follows:
"Our G2 products have been years in the making, and it feels amazing to finally be able to offer the first of them to our customers", says Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO). "We faced various challenges in both design and manufacturing, but we've cut no corners and gone the extra mile to make sure that the G2's will be worthy successors to some of our most iconic models. When you have them in your hands, I'm confident that you'll be able to sense some of the dedication and perseverance that went into creating these fans and coolers."The NH-D15 G2 is the further improved second generation of Noctua's iconic NH-D15. With its state-of-the-art, speed-offset NF-A14x25r G2 PWM fans, eight heatpipes and asymmetrical fin-stacks that have been carefully fine-tuned to work in tandem with the new fans, it achieves even better quiet cooling performance than its award-winning predecessor. As such, the G2 version is a true flagship model that continues the legacy of the original NH-D15 by pushing the boundaries of air cooling and rivalling the efficiency of many all-in-one (AIO) water cooling solutions.
In addition to its further improved performance, the NH-D15 G2 also offers enhanced compatibility thanks to an offset construction that allows it to clear the top PCIe x16 slot on most current motherboards. Last but not least, the G2 version has been upgraded to the Torx -based SecuFirm2+ multi-socket mounting system with included NM-SD1 screwdriver as well as to Noctua's superior NT-H2 thermal compound. In short, the NH-D15 G2 has been further refined in virtually all respects from the heatsink and the fans all the way down to the mounting, thermal paste and accessory package. Topped off with Noctua's trusted 6-year manufacturer's warranty, it's the new number one choice for customers who demand the best of the best in air cooling.
Taking platform-specific optimisation to a new level, the NH-D15 G2 is available in a regular, standard version and two specialised variants: The regular NH-D15 G2 uses the same medium base convexity as most other Noctua heatsinks, which makes it a perfect all-rounder that provides optimal results on AM5 with the included offset mounting and on LGA1700 CPUs when utilising the included NM-ISW1 shim washers (or optional, so-called contact frames ) to reduce CPU deformation from ILM pressure. The HBC (High Base Convexity) variant is specifically optimised for LGA1700 processors that are used with full ILM pressure or have become permanently deformed in long-term use, providing excellent contact quality despite the CPU's concave shape. The LBC (Low Base Convexity) variant, by contrast, is specifically optimised for relatively flat CPUs. As such, it offers excellent contact quality on AMD AM5 even without the offset mounting as well as on other comparably flat CPUs (e.g. AM4, LGA2066, LGA2011(-3), lapped or custom flat heatspreaders, etc.).
For customers who would like to upgrade existing heatsinks such as the first-generation NH-D15, NH-D15S or NH-U14S series coolers, the new round-frame NF-A14x25r G2 fans will also be available separately, both in a regular single fan package (NF-A14x25r G2 PWM) and a dedicated dual fan package for push-pull configurations (NF-A14x25r G2 PWM Sx2-PP). Like the fans that come pre-installed on the NH-D15 G2, the ones included in the Sx2-PP set are fine-tuned with a 50rpm speed offset to prevent acoustic interaction phenomena such as periodic humming or intermittent vibrations.
The square frame version of the NF-A14x25 G2 fan for water cooling radiators and case cooling applications is currently scheduled for September.
Performance Claims
[Editor's Note: Some of the graphs do not start at 0, which could visually skew the results for you.]Refer to this Noctua article for the company's performance claims.
Product PagesSuggested retail prices
The manufacturer's suggested retail prices are as follows:
- NH-D15 G2: EUR 149.90 / USD 149.90
- NH-D15 G2 LBC: EUR 149.90 / USD 149.90
- NH-D15 G2 HBC: EUR 149.90 / USD 149.90
- NF-A14x25r G2 PWM: EUR 39.90 / USD 39.90
- NF-A14x25r G2 PWM Sx2-PP: EUR 79.80 / USD 79.80
164 Comments on Noctua Announces $150 Flagship NH-D15 G2 CPU Coolers and NF-A14x25r G2 140mm Fans
I need 9 of those for the radiator
Noctua has been relegated to my shitlist now. They weren't favorites already because frankly they offer nothing for their premium since the last half decade and longer. They got surpassed on all fronts, they're no longer special and shouldn't even command their OLD premium anymore.
It was nice knowing ya, Noctua. Find some other fools to sell to, I don't take kindly to being taken for a fool like this. 150 is a straight up insult to common sense for a block of alu and a few shit colored fans. I don't think there's any measurable min-maxing going on here, we're well into the margin of error territory already with the vast majority of double tower air cooling.
Like several other things, air cooling is done, innovation wise, there is merely further refinement which mostly results in side grades rather than upgrades. Noctua already needs heavily tweaked graphs to exaggerate their supposed advantages. I'm detecting a counter-intuitive move on their part. If anything, a refined product should be cheaper. Not more expensive. Or it should be better at the same price. How is it otherwise a better product?! What are they actually selling at that point? 'Better looks'? BeQuiet did a similar thing with their DRP. And with that, they immediately disqualified themselves as reasonable purchases. We're still buying a samey block of alu pierced with some heatpipes and with a fan stuck to it. You really need a LOT of cognitive dissonance at this point to pay more than $50,- for anything like that.
I would like to see a fanless or single fan version come out that you can put your own fans on and save a few bucks.
Also the old D15 runs like 9db quieter than the Thermalright.
CPU cooling market got different than it was when pioneer dual tower D14 launched or one we had when D15 landed. Thanks to popularization and refining of compact dual fan coolers, biggest such ones lost much of their edge and their domination got pushed into territory of highest loads where their mass starts to matter more. On the other hand loads where air coolers are no match for water.
It's hard to judge basing only on Noctua's performance data comparing it with D15, but to me it looks like G2 is gonna more make up noise efficiency lacks of outdated here D15 than getting obviously expected edge over all competition. Relatively slow fans (1500 rpm) won't help too, but I always stand for sensible approach here. Promising is slide where they compare both in hard to imagine temperature normalized scenario and G2 is able to keep the same temp with handling 160W more.
My bet is at best G2 winning with them all on some stupid high for air cooling loads (250W+). On the other hand it's exactly what man should expect from a heavy weight dual tower, but also typically their edge grows the lower we go with fan noise. In the end the price will make it product only for ones likely to pay that premium for what Noctua does better than any competition. Simply the strongest cooler in their offer.
The part about air cooling being safer & almost ever lasting would still apply though.
The usual over-long, excruciatingly detailed, and frankly somewhat self-indulgent GN review--but I appreciate the effort that went into it, even so. The gist is that the cooler is underwhelming. That's my judgment, not GN's. It performs well, but not so much better than near competitors, including its own predecessor, to justify the price premium. Also I find the whole pick-your-cold-plate's-convexity scheme needlessly fussy, but YMMV.
You don't care about the money? put that 40% into better fans, the AIO utterly destroys ANY air cooler.
The charitable inference is that Noctua painted itself into a corner with the pricing on the NH-D15 G2, because it includes two of their new super-duper premium fans, which they expect to sell for ~$40 apiece. Thus, the new fans alone almost account for the price difference between the old NH-D15 and the new one, but the old one was already arguably overpriced--and I say that as someone who owns one and likes it. Overall, and to echo Vayra86, I'm very bearish on Noctua lately. Their business model was always slanted towards brand-name recognition, customer service, and build quality, and that was fine as long as they could also boast tangible advantages, but their tangibles have taken major hits from competitors in recent years. In response, it seems Noctua's doubled down on boutique appeal, maneuvering towards Apple-esque aspirational/lifestyle branding. Their recent foray into ludicrously overpriced office fans is confirmation enough. That campaign honestly read to me as self-parody.
But hey, at least now Noctua finally has a legit top-tier 140mm fan, to go along with their world class A12x25. The question is how much the new fans' advantages actually matter. At the end of the day, and above a certain relatively low performance threshold, fans just aren't that interesting. Even if we stipulate that the new best-in-class Noctua fans are worth every penny, Noctua's been selling, and presumably will continue to sell, deeply mediocre products in the tier just below them. That's probably my main beef, ATM. Fair enough if the cutting edge $35+ Noctua models are only 10-15% better than a bargain basement Arctic fan; that's life in the tech lane, reliability factors, etc--but meanwhile, the ~$20 Noctua offerings are simply worse in every measurable way than fans that cost half as much.
Servers use air, immersion or custom liquid, with powerful pumps. Consoles use air cooling too, and even the PS5 which uses a liquid metal application that most would deem rather enthusiast, still sticks to air cooling.
There are also good reasons why enterprise, experienced or professional users use air or custom loops, not AIOs. You eventually get burned.
Something something there's no such thing as a free lunch. The compromise you're making with an AIO is lifespan (and noise from the pump working close to 100%).
Unless you put both your cpu and gpu on water, aio is just meh
Having looked at Steves review of the G2, i thinks my G15s black is still good enough for me for now, not speding £127 for 3 degrees lower. I do think it is a good cooler and according to the review, is the best air cooler, just not for the price.