Aio vs Noctua D15s

[Daddy Dave]

I wanted to get a NZXT kraken on something like that. People told me to get a Noctua. SO this is what I built. When I showed my family my build they said it was ugky cuz of the big cooler taking up all the space. I showed them a aio cooler and they thought that was cooler. I just want to assure myself that the Noctua D15s is the best. Here is my build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	Intel - Core i7-9700K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor	$399.89 @ Amazon
CPU Cooler	Noctua - NH-D15S 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler	$79.90 @ Amazon
Motherboard	Asus - ROG STRIX Z390-E GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard	$238.60 @ Amazon
Memory	G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory	$159.99 @ Newegg
Storage	Samsung - 970 Evo 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive	$129.70 @ OutletPC
Storage	Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	$59.89 @ OutletPC
Video Card	Gigabyte - GeForce RTX 2070 8 GB GAMING 8G Video Card	$529.99 @ Amazon
Case	NZXT - H500i (White) ATX Mid Tower Case	$89.99 @ B&H
Power Supply	EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply	$79.99 @ Amazon
Operating System	Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit	$15.00
Case Fan	Corsair - ML120 PRO RGB (3 pack w/Lighting Node PRO) 47.3 CFM 120mm Fans	$99.60 @ OutletPC
Monitor	Asus - ROG SWIFT PG278QR 27.0" 2560x1440 165 Hz Monitor	$545.89 @ SuperBiiz
Speakers	Logitech - Z623 200 W 2.1ch Speakers	$99.99 @ Amazon
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	$2528.42
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-28 16:24 EST-0500

 

[TetraSky]

The NH-D15 provide great thermals nearly on par with AIO water cooling solutions and is relatively quiet as well in comparaison. Hence why it might be recommended over an AIO.

That said, it's really up to you. If you prefer the aesthetic of an AIO cooling solution or plan to be moving your computer around a lot, you might be better off with an AIO. Otherwise the D15 is an excellent cooling solution.

[Princess Luna]

Careful not to be confusing NH-D15 and NH-D15S

 

I'd take neither and go with Dark Rock Pro 4 instead because it performs the same as the NH-D15 (the better one not the S) but it looks SO MUCH BETTER.

 

*Just a heads up, that motherboard you chosen is quite bad, it's just severely overpriced due to ROG branding, if you can reconsider it and go with an Aorus board instead.

[Slottr]

I personally use a D15 (non S) and find it much better than an AIO. It gives me awesome thermals and have security knowing I don't have to worry about any issues in the long run (like leaking or pump failing).

 

Heres a picture of how it looks in my case. I also have the chromax heatsink covers for it:

Spoiler

 

 

[maryjane2801]

I will choose aio.

[Princess Luna]

6 minutes ago, maryjane2801 said:

I will choose aio.

Wow much informative.

 

This is not pick what you prefer, you expose the pros and cons and help on a decision and AIO's are just for aesthetics, they perform worse than their air cooler counter-parts while costing the double and adding a lot more points of failure.

[Mattias Edeslatt]

Well most people thinks the Noctua fans are fugly and I can't say they are wrong. And a AIO with it's tiny CPU-block often with RGB, who can argue that they doesn't look better than most air-coolers? 

 

Is it your computer or is it the family's? Does it matter what they think if it is your computer? You don't have to use the noctua fans, but then there are more logic to buy a Dark Rock, Deep Cool Gammaxx, Arctic Freezer and so on instead. 

 

You could always argue that with an AIO there are risk of leakage and pump-failure, both could potentially literally fry your computer. If the fan stops on an AIO or air-cooler the computer just should do a thermal shutdown before anything gets damaged.

[Daddy Dave]

On 12/28/2018 at 3:32 PM, Slottr said:

I personally use a D15 (non S) and find it much better than an AIO. It gives me awesome thermals and have security knowing I don't have to worry about any issues in the long run (like leaking or pump failing).

 

Heres a picture of how it looks in my case. I also have the chromax heatsink covers for it:

I have the D15s 

 

On 12/28/2018 at 3:50 PM, Princess Cadence said:

Wow much informative.

 

This is not pick what you prefer, you expose the pros and cons and help on a decision and AIO's are just for aesthetics, they perform worse than their air cooler counter-parts while costing the double and adding a lot more points of failure.

Thank you for telling him. And also thank you for being informative 

[TLF]

I’ve grown to love the Noctua

aesthetics! D15 all the way. It performs ~ the same as my colleagues AIO on the same 7820x cpu at stock...in the same Corsair carbide case, but big brown is quieter. 

[Daddy Dave]

On 12/28/2018 at 3:50 PM, Mattias Edeslatt said:

Well most people thinks the Noctua fans are fugly and I can't say they are wrong. And a AIO with it's tiny CPU-block often with RGB, who can argue that they doesn't look better than most air-coolers? 

 

Is it your computer or is it the family's? Does it matter what they think if it is your computer? You don't have to use the noctua fans, but then there are more logic to buy a Dark Rock, Deep Cool Gammaxx, Arctic Freezer and so on instead. 

 

You could always argue that with an AIO there are risk of leakage and pump-failure, both could potentially literally fry your computer. If the fan stops on an AIO or air-cooler the computer just should do a thermal shutdown before anything gets damaged.

It’s mine. I just care a lot about what people think. I purchased the Noctua NH-D15s 

 

On 12/28/2018 at 3:56 PM, TLF said:

I’ve grown to love the Noctua

aesthetics! D15 all the way. It performs ~ the same as my colleagues AIO on the same 7820x cpu at stock...in the same Corsair carbide case, but big brown is quieter. 

Why did you put your mobo upside down 

[Slottr]

10 minutes ago, Daddy Dave said:

I have the D15s 

Theres a difference in about 5^oC, aesthetically they will look the same.

 

I'm sharing my experience with the D15s' bigger brother with you to help you justify whichever option you go with.

[TLF]

4 minutes ago, Daddy Dave said:

Why did you put your mobo upside down 

It’s an inverted chassis, supposedly for better airflow but not sure how true that is...anyone know? 

[Guest]

Macho Direct

 

It's ok to sacrifice that 0.1ghz clockspeed for $40+ savings over the D15S, DRP4 etc.

[Mooshi]

Well, your family are more than welcome to replace all your hardware in case of a leak and see if it's still cool.

[Daddy Dave]

5 hours ago, Slottr said:

Theres a difference in about 5^oC, aesthetically they will look the same.

 

I'm sharing my experience with the D15s' bigger brother with you to help you justify whichever option you go with.

Shoot I already bought it