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Board Cooling Comparison
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Prolimatech Genesis vs. Noctua NH-C14
(2 x Noctua NF-P14 fans)
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Fan Voltage
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SPL@1m
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°C Rise
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NB*
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VRM*
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Prolimatech Genesis
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12V
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30 dBA
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24
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16
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9V
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22 dBA
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28
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20
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8V
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19 dBA
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30
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24
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7V
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16 dBA
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31
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27
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6V
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13 dBA
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35
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28
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Noctua NH-C14
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12V
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29 dBA
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11
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12
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9V
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21 dBA
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24
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14
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8V
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18 dBA
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28
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15
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7V
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15 dBA
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30
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20
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6V
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12~13 dBA
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38
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24
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°C Rise: Temperature rise above ambient (21°C)
at load.
*NB and VRM temps taken with an IR thermometer from the hottest portion of each heatsink.
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The Genesis doesn't do too badly against the top-down cooler Noctua NH-C14,
at least at lower fan speeds. Using the same NF-P14 fans, the down-blowing C14
kept a small lead over the Genesis in both VRM and Northbridge cooling, particularly
at 8V and below, which is where most SPCR users will set the fan speeds. The
Genesis measured a touch louder, despite using identical fans though, likely
because of turbulence effects due to fan orientation. (Editor's Note:
A single decibel difference is pretty hard to hear, though.)
Dual 14cm Fan Heatsink Comparison Table
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CPU °C Rise Comparison (Noctua NF-P14 reference fans)
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Heatsink
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Fan Voltage / SPL*
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8V
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7V
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6V
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18~19 dBA
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15~17 dBA
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12~14 dBA
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Prolimatech Genesis
(Red Vortex 14 LED fans)
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34 (9V)
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37 (7V)
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Prolimatech Genesis
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36
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37
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39
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Noctua NH-C14
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37
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39
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41
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Thermalright Silver Arrow
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37
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39
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41
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Noctua NH-D14
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38
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40
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42
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*Note: Minor differences in measured SPL arise
from the variety of fan orientations of the compared coolers.
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Ultimately the Genesis proved to be the best CPU heatsink we've tested, edging
out the NH-C14 and the Thermalright Silver Arrow by a couple of degrees. It
performed even better with the Prolimatech Red Vortex fans, which outpaced the
Noctua NF-P14's by 2~3°C. Incidentally, these fans retail for US$12,
significantly less than the NF-P14's which start at about US$20.
MP3 SOUND RECORDINGS
These recordings were made with a high
resolution, lab quality, digital recording system inside SPCR's
own 11 dBA ambient anechoic chamber, then converted to LAME 128kbps
encoded MP3s. We've listened long and hard to ensure there is no audible degradation
from the original WAV files to these MP3s. They represent a quick snapshot of
what we heard during the review.
The recordings are intended to give you an idea of how the product sounds in
actual use — one meter is a reasonable typical distance between a computer
or computer component and your ear. The recording contains stretches of ambient
noise that you can use to judge the relative loudness of the subject. Be aware
that very quiet subjects may not be audible — if we couldn't hear it from
one meter, chances are we couldn't record it either!
The recording starts with 5~10 second segments of room ambiance, then the fan
at various levels. For the most realistic results, set the volume so that
the starting ambient level is just barely audible, then don't change the volume
setting again.
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