Compare: NH-C14S vs Liquid Freezer III 240

Design and Aesthetics:

NH-C14S

The NH-C14S features a low-profile, top-flow design with a large aluminum heatsink and a single 140mm NF-A14 PWM fan. The cooler is designed for compatibility with a wide range of PC cases and motherboard layouts, as well as offering excellent RAM and PCIe clearance. Aesthetically, the NH-C14S maintains Noctua's signature beige and brown color scheme, which is synonymous with the brand's reputation for quality and performance.

Liquid Freezer III 240

This cooler showcases a sleek, symmetrical design with a modern aesthetic. While this model doesn’t include RGB lighting, there are versions available that do, allowing you to choose based on your style preferences. Overall, it adds a clean, contemporary look to your PC setup.

Install Notes:

NH-C14S

The NH-C14S features Noctua's SecuFirm2 mounting system, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets and offering a straightforward installation process, typical of Noctua coolers. Clear instructions, high-quality components, and a tube of their premium NT-H1 thermal compound make it an easy and user-friendly experience, even for beginners. The cooler uses the original AMD backplate for AMD installations. However, one downside is that the cooler may stick to your CPU, and due to the screw setup, you can't slide the cooler off the CPU like with some other brands. Overall, the NH-C14S offers a relatively hassle-free installation process.

Liquid Freezer III 240

The Arctic Freezer III 240 retains the easy installation features of its predecessor while offering added convenience. What sets this cooler apart is its pre-installed fans on the radiator, simplifying the setup compared to other all-in-one (AIO) coolers. The detachable CPU mounting bracket further enhances the installation process by eliminating interference from aesthetic components. However, attaching the control cable to the motherboard can be challenging once the cooler is mounted. To avoid this, it’s advisable to connect the cable to the motherboard before installing the cooler.

Cooling Performance:

NH-C14S

The performance of the NH-C14S is exceptional, thanks to its six heat pipes that effectively transfer heat away from the CPU and into the large fin array of the heatsink. The cooler is suitable for a wide range of processors, from mainstream CPUs to high-end models with high TDPs. For certain CPUs, the NH-C14S can handle moderate to high levels of overclocking and provides reliable cooling in demanding situations.

Liquid Freezer III 240

The Arctic Freezer III 240 offers some performance improvements over its predecessor, the Arctic Freezer 240, but this comes with increased noise. Relative to other coolers in it's weight class, this cooler outperforms most.

Noise Performance:

NH-C14S

One of the standout features of the NH-C14S is its quiet operation. The included 140mm NF-A14 PWM fan is designed for optimal airflow and low noise levels. Noctua fans are well-known for their excellent acoustic performance, and the NH-C14S is no exception. Users can expect quiet cooling even during intense workloads or gaming sessions.

Liquid Freezer III 240

The Arctic Freezer III 240 has a more powerful pump that has the potential to be quite audible. Since our testing was conducted with the AIO pump running at 100% speed, lowering the pump speed during less demanding tasks can help reduce noise levels without sacrificing too much performance.

Summary:

NH-C14S

The NH-C14S cooler, compatible with a wide range of Intel and AMD sockets, offers a straightforward installation process with Noctua's SecuFirm2 mounting system, clear instructions, and high-quality components. Featuring a low-profile design, large aluminum heatsink, and a single 140mm NF-A14 PWM fan, it provides excellent compatibility and clearance for various PC cases and motherboard layouts. The cooler delivers exceptional performance with its six heat pipes and accommodates mainstream to high-end CPUs, even with moderate to high levels of overclocking. The NH-C14S stands out for its quiet operation, ensuring users enjoy a noise-free experience during heavy workloads or gaming sessions.

Liquid Freezer III 240

The Arctic Freezer III retains its user-friendly installation design, featuring pre-attached radiator fans and a detachable CPU mounting bracket for simpler setup. However, connecting the control cable can be challenging once the cooler is installed, so it's best to attach it beforehand. The cooler sports a modern design, with some versions offering RGB lighting for added customization. While it boasts aesthetic improvements and lower noise levels compared to standard coolers and its predecessor, the Arctic Freezer 240, the Arctic Freezer III 240 delivers average performance and struggles to effectively cool high-core CPUs under heavy workloads.