Compare: NH-D15 chromax.Black vs Peerless Assassin 140

Design and Aesthetics:

NH-D15 chromax.Black

The NH-D15 chromax.Black features a dual-tower design with two large aluminum heatsinks and a pair of Noctua's 140mm NF-A15 PWM fans. The cooler's design allows for superior heat dissipation, making it capable of handling even the most demanding processors. Aesthetically, this version of the NH-D15 adopts a black color scheme, providing a sleek and modern appearance that complements various build themes.

Peerless Assassin 140

The Peerless Assassin 140 shares a similar design with other 140mm coolers from Thermalright, featuring two 140mm heatsinks paired with a 120mm fan at the front and a 140mm fan in the middle. The difference in fan sizes helps reduce RAM clearance issues, which are common with most 140mm air coolers. This model has a polished top and comes in an all-black design, though other color options may be available.

Install Notes:

NH-D15 chromax.Black

The NH-D15 features Noctua's SecuFirm2 mounting system, ensuring compatibility with numerous Intel and AMD sockets. The installation process is made easy with the help of clear instructions and top-notch components. Additionally, Noctua includes a tube of their high-quality NT-H1 thermal compound for optimal heat transfer between the CPU and heatsink. However, the cooler's large size may make it challenging to maneuver around when installed within the case.

Peerless Assassin 140

The Peerless Assassin 140 CPU cooler features installation components similar to many mainstream Thermalright designs, making it relatively easy to install. However, it encounters a challenge when uninstalling, as it doesn't allow for sliding or twisting to break the thermal paste seal. This can be problematic if the thermal paste creates a strong bond between the cooler and the CPU.

Cooling Performance:

NH-D15 chromax.Black

The performance of the NH-D15 is exceptional due to its six heat pipes that efficiently transfer heat away from the CPU and into the large fin arrays of the heatsinks. It is suitable for a wide range of processors, from mainstream CPUs to high-end models with high TDPs. The cooler can handle high levels of overclocking and provides reliable cooling under demanding situations, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts. If this cooler can't handle the CPU's heat, then you will have to move to AIO coolers.

Peerless Assassin 140

While the cooler offers similar peak performance to its competitors, its main advantage lies in its efficiency at lower RPMs, where it provides slightly better cooling. This translates to a noticeable edge in noise-to-performance ratio compared to smaller coolers, making it quieter under lower loads while still maintaining strong cooling capabilities.

Noise Performance:

NH-D15 chromax.Black

One of the standout features of the NH-D15 is its quiet operation relative to its performance. The two included 140mm NF-A15 PWM fans are designed for optimal airflow and low noise levels. Noctua fans are well-known for their excellent acoustic performance, and the NH-D15 is no exception. Users can expect quiet cooling even during intense workloads or gaming sessions. Additionally, the Low-Noise Adaptors (LNA) connectors included can be used to reduce the fan's speed, further reducing the cooler's noise.

Peerless Assassin 140

Due to its larger fans, this cooler becomes more audible at higher RPMs. However, because the fans move more air, lower RPMs are generally sufficient for cooling under most moderate CPU loads, allowing for quieter operation without sacrificing performance.

Summary:

NH-D15 chromax.Black

The NH-D15 cooler offers easy installation with Noctua's SecuFirm2 mounting system, compatibility with numerous Intel and AMD sockets, and high-quality components. Featuring a dual-tower design, two large aluminum heatsinks, and a pair of 140mm NF-A15 PWM fans, it provides exceptional performance and heat dissipation for a wide range of processors, including high-end models with high TDPs. The NH-D15 chromax.Black version boasts a sleek black color scheme, and despite its large size, the cooler operates quietly during intense workloads or gaming sessions, with Low-Noise Adaptors available for further noise reduction.

Peerless Assassin 140

The Peerless Assassin 140 CPU cooler is easy to install, thanks to its design resembling other mainstream Thermalright models, but it presents a challenge during uninstallation as it doesn’t allow for sliding or twisting to break the thermal paste seal. It features two 140mm heatsinks, a 120mm fan at the front, and a 140mm fan in the middle, which helps reduce RAM clearance issues common with larger coolers. While its peak performance is on par with competitors, it excels at lower RPMs, offering better cooling and a superior noise-to-performance ratio compared to smaller coolers. Although more audible at higher RPMs due to its larger fans, the slower speeds still provide sufficient cooling for most moderate CPU loads, ensuring quieter operation without compromising performance.