Cooling Noctua NH-C14 (non-S) fan replacement options

[visuar]

Picked up a NH-C14 from ebay and would like to replace the fans because they're getting old and are 3-pin (NF-P14 FLX). Ideally I'd like to get a black/grey one at least for the top as it can be seen through the M1 side panel.

Has anyone replaced the fans with 4-pin PWM models? If so which ones worked well?

After looking around the Noctua site it seems like the following ones could be options:

NF-A15 PWM 140x150x25: https://noctua.at/en/nf-a15-pwm/specification

NF-P12 redux-1300 PWM 120x120x25: https://noctua.at/en/nf-p12-redux-1300-pwm/specification

NF-A12x25 PWM 120x120x25: https://noctua.at/en/nf-a12x25-pwm/specification

NF-A15 HS-PWM 140x150x25: https://noctua.at/en/nf-a15-hs-pwm-chromax-black-swap/specification

This is for cooling a i7-9800X (165 W TDP). The original cooler that shipped with the NH-C14 can be found here: https://noctua.at/en/nf-p14-flx/specification

 

[Thehack]

Have you checked if your motherboard supports voltage control? Many newer motherboards do and voltage control is superior to PWM control if the motherboard implements it well. Fan designs have not changed much. The only break through is the NF-A12x25.

Check that first. Otherwise the A15 is the successor.

 

[visuar]

Hey thanks for responding! I'm running the ASRock X299E-ITX/ac (https://www.asrock.com/MB/Intel/X299E-ITXac/index.asp) and so far it's not been playing ball.

I'm going to keep trying to get it to do something but may want to replace because of the other reasons as well.

 

[Thehack]

Hey thanks for responding! I'm running the ASRock X299E-ITX/ac (https://www.asrock.com/MB/Intel/X299E-ITXac/index.asp) and so far it's not been playing ball.

I'm going to keep trying to get it to do something but may want to replace because of the other reasons as well.

It seems that your motherboard supports DC mode, page 76 of the manual. PWM is more versatile, but DC fans, when DC controlled, has no chances of getting the PWM clicks.

Otherwise, I think any 140mm type of fan by Noctua would do well. The Noctua P14 Redux is a good value at only $15 (in USA).

 

[Mana026c]

I use nf-a12x25 on my c14,

I cut the Clips at both ends, and some slightly push and its fits.

Idk if it worth, cost 30 euro here

 

[teodoro]

if you hadn't already noticed, the fan clips that are included with the c14 fans won't work for (at least the) a12x25. I currently have it rigged up with some janky twist ties on the old clips, but one quick form to noctua support (with proof of purchase the c14/a12x25 fans) and they were happy to send me some proper clips for free.

 

[visuar]

It seems that your motherboard supports DC mode

Thanks! I don't know how I missed that (too many BIOS options?). It's a lot more quiet now that I've moved it to that header and tweaked some settings. For now I'll keep these fans I think unless some of the other fans would just perform a lot better (lower noise for the same cooling).

 

[Artmov]

What did you pay for the C14?
I'm going to do an NCase build and a C14 would be perfect, but I cant find one anywhere...

 

[visuar]

What did you pay for the C14?

Found one on eBay from Canada, guess I got lucky. Paid $62 USD total including shipping.

For modern CPU sockets (like LGA2011 & 2055) you will need to get the Noctua NM-I2011 mounting kit! It's $8 on Amazon or you can get it for free from Noctua, but it does ship from Austria so will take a few weeks.