Summary
For over a decade, Noctua’sNH-D15 CPU Coolerhas been held to the highest standard, achieving a well-earned position as one of thebest CPU coolersof all time. With over 10,000 reviews on Amazon, this iconic tan and brown air cooler boasts a following that continues to sing its praises even a decade after its release.
In July 2024, Noctua released a new and improved flagship CPU cooler, and PC gamers everywhere have been clambering to get their hands on one. The NH-D15 has been a fan favorite for years, ideal for premium cooling that is as quiet as it is efficient. Impressively, the second-generation NH-D15 G2 meets those expectations, while promising even better cooling performance than its ground-breaking predecessor.
So, what does this mean for PC gamers?
NH-D15 G2: A New Standard for Next-Generation Cooling & Performance
As most modern andupcoming processorsreach higher TDPs, the demands for adequate yet unobtrusive cooling have become increasingly frequent. With the launch of the NH-D15 G2, Noctua brings about a new standard for next-generation air cooling with an innovative design that has been years in the making.
This second-generation CPU cooler takes the heart of the original and adds subtle yet significant changes to increase cooling efficiency. The NH-D15 G2 features a newly optimized asymmetrical fin stack that allows for 20% more surface area to boost cooling potential. Plus, Noctua has added eight heatpipes that promise superior performance even at higher temperatures. The NH-D15 G2 also uses two of Noctua’s 140 mm speed-offset fans, the NF-A14x25r G2, for state-of-the-art cooling without compromising on acoustics.
Each of these additions contributes to a new and improved cooler that rivals the efficiency of many AIO liquid coolers, ready to take on this new era of high-end processors.
Noctua NH-D15 G2
The NH-D15 G2 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor by offering high-performance cooling capability without compromising on noise levels. Like the original NH-D15, this cooler uses two iconic Noctua fans that work silently and efficiently. Leading the charge of a new generation of air coolers, the NH-D15 G2 is fit for modern CPU sockets with three variants available for special case uses. Plus, the thoughtfully crafted CPU cooler takes larger components to mind by implementing an offset design that allows additional clearance around the top PCIe x16 slot.
Base Convexity: An In-depth Look at Each Variant
One of the coolest features of the NH-D15 G2 is Noctua’s approach to optimizing the differences seen across all CPU platform variations. Although many cooling companies tend to provide a product that is more or less a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, there is no guarantee that your cooling will be working as well as it could be for your exact processor.
Instead, the NH-D15 G2 is available in three different variants, which all cater to the specific needs of your processor to make the most contact possible with your CPU. These variants offer different levels of base convexity, which corresponds to heat spreader flatness, and CPU die configuration:
NH-D15 G2 LBC (Low Base Convexity)
TheNH-D15 G2 LBCis a variant that is designed specifically for processors that are relatively flat. This means that this version is the best choice for AMD AM5 and AM4 CPUs, as it provides excellent contact without the need to use washers or offsets. The NH-D15 G2 LBC is also a reliable choice for some Intel sockets, like the LGA 2066 and LGA 2011. Although the LBC variant is great to use for CPUs from these sockets, it is not an ideal fit for LGA 1700 sockets.
NH-D15 G2 HBC (High Base Convexity)
Conversely, theNH-D15 G2 HBCvariant is ideal for making full contact with processors that are somewhat concave. This means that this variant is the most optimized option for LGA 1700 processors that have been used under full ILM pressure, as they tend to ‘deform’ after some time, which results in a concave shape.
NH-D15 G2 (Standard)
With that being said, Noctua continues to recommend the standard version of the NH-D15 G2 for most situations. This variant uses the same medium base convexity as the rest of Noctua’s coolers, which makes it a reliable choice for any compatible CPU. So, if you feel that it’s difficult to decide which variant is best for you, the standard choice is always going to be a good choice.
NH-D15 G2: How Does It Compare to the Original?
Although the original NH-D15 hit the market about a decade ago, this CPU cooler still maintains a loyal user base even to this day. Aside from the differences in improved performance and cooling potential, one of the most compelling differences for consumers lies in the price of each CPU cooler. Although the NH-D15 has historically been considered a costly CPU cooler, the launch of the second-generation model has resulted in a reduction of the original cooler’s price. There is now a $30 difference between these two CPU coolers, with theoriginal priced at $120and the NH-D15 G2 priced at $150.
Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler
The Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler is all about maximizing CPU cooling and doing so with as little noise as possible. Using the bundled dual Noctua NF-A15 PWM fans and low-noise adapters, the NH-D15 is a capable air-based CPU cooler that has a no-frills, all-business approach to its job of cooling some of the beefiest CPUs available in the market, assisted by the bundled high-end NT-H1 thermal paste.
Looking at specifications side by side, it’s safe to say that there aren’t any significant changes to Noctua’s second-generation cooler in terms of noise level, CPU compatibility, and size. We do see a slight increase in airflow, due mostly to the upgraded fans used in the NH-D15 G2.
However, the most substantial difference between the two coolers once again lies in the increased heat dissipation of the NH-D15 G2. All of Noctua’s coolers use a personalized scale to measure relative heat dissipation compared to a processor’s TDP, known as The Noctua Standardized Performance Rating (NSPR). When comparing the rating of each product, we see a significant increase from the pre-existing rating of the older model to the NH-D15 G2, with the NH-D15 rated at 183 and the G2 rated at 228.
This means that the NH-D15 G2 has a 21% increase in heat dissipation capabilities compared to the NH-D15, with a $30 difference in price.
NH-D15 G2: Price & Availability
The NH-D15 G2 is in stockon Amazonand available for purchase. Each of the three variants of the NH-D15 G2 is listed at $150, with no apparent discrepancies in the price across all three models. You can also find the listings for theNH-D15 G2 LBC model hereand theNH-D15 G2 HBC model here.
FAQ
Q: Why are Noctua Coolers so expensive?
Noctua is regarded as one of the most premium PC brands, known for fans that run with award-winning efficiency with minimal noise. Their coolers are also highly sought after for the optimal heat dissipation of high-end processors. Plus, Noctua’s coolers undergo years of testing and R&D to ensure the best performance possible, all factoring into the high-end price of its coolers.
Q: Which thermal paste does Noctua recommend?
Although the NH-D15 G2 comes with a pre-applied thermal paste, Noctua usually recommends its very own NT-H2 thermal compound for all of its coolers.
