Compare: NH-L9x65 vs NH-C14S

Design and Aesthetics:

NH-L9x65

The NH-L9x65 features a low-profile design with a slim aluminum heatsink and a 92mm NF-A9x14 PWM fan. With a height of only 65mm, the cooler is compatible with a wide range of PC cases, including mini-ITX and HTPC builds. Aesthetically, the NH-L9x65 maintains Noctua's signature beige and brown color scheme, reflecting the brand's reputation for quality and performance.

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.

Install Notes:

NH-L9x65

This cooler is designed to be a typical Noctua cooler installation, which is easy to do and rather straightforward. This means that if you're new to installing a CPU cooler, there is little room to make a mistake. For AMD is uses the original AMD backplate. Only downside to the Noctua installation is that the cooler may stick to your CPU and given how the screws are setup, you can't slide the cooler off the CPU like other brands.

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.

Cooling Performance:

NH-L9x65

The performance of the NH-L9x65 is suitable for most mainstream CPUs and everyday tasks. It has four heat pipes that efficiently transfer heat away from the CPU to the heatsink. While the cooler may not be the best choice for high-end CPUs with high TDPs or extreme overclocking scenarios, it provides adequate cooling for lower TDP CPUs, especially in small form factor builds with limited space.

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.

Noise Performance:

NH-L9x65

The 92mm NF-A9x14 PWM fan included with the NH-L9x65 is designed for quiet operation while maintaining good airflow for its size. Noctua fans are well-known for their excellent acoustic performance, and the NH-L9x65 is no exception. Users can expect quiet cooling even during low workloads, however due to it's limited cooling abilities, it may have to run louder moderate workloads or gaming sessions.

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.

Summary:

NH-L9x65

The Noctua NH-L9x65 is a compact and efficient air cooler that's well-suited for small form factor builds and systems with limited space. Its low-profile design, adequate cooling performance, and quiet operation make it an attractive option for those looking for a space-saving and reliable cooling solution.

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.