Compare: NH-U14S vs Frost Commander 140

Design and Aesthetics:

NH-U14S

The Noctua NH-U14S sports a sleek and minimalist design, featuring a slim single-tower heatsink attached with Noctua's iconic brown and beige color scheme. A 140mm fan is attached, further enhancing its understated appearance.

Frost Commander 140

The Frost Commander is a sleek CPU cooler with a design reminiscent of the Peerless Assassin 120. This cooler features a dual-tower heatsink with 5 heat pipes for efficient heat dissipation, and uniquely, the heat pipe ends are hidden from view. Sporting gray and silver tones, the Thermalright logo adorns the top of the heatsink. Despite its larger radiator, the Frost Commander uses a single 120mm fan in front and a 140mm fan between the heatsinks, giving it a distinct, asymmetrical look.

Install Notes:

NH-U14S

The NH-U14S boasts a user-friendly mounting system that is compatible with a wide array of Intel and AMD sockets. Its straightforward installation process is facilitated by clear instructions and high-quality components.

Frost Commander 140

The cooler installation is quite similar to other mainstream cooler setups. However, during installation, securing the fans to the heatsink requires more effort (relative to other Thermalright offerings), which is due to the metal securing the fans requiring much more effort to place. For this reason, it's also a lot easier to slightly bend the heatsink fins, but this can be fixed by bending it back with a credit card.

Additionally, like other mainstream coolers, the Frost Frost Commander faces challenges in uninstalling when trying to break the thermal paste seal between the cooler and CPU, as it doesn't easily slide or twist off. This can be an issue if the thermal paste forms a strong bond.

Cooling Performance:

NH-U14S

With its six heat pipes and an extensive fin array, the NH-U14S delivers exceptional cooling performance. It is more than capable of handling high-end processors, maintaining optimal temperatures even under heavy workloads.

Frost Commander 140

The Frost Commander delivers impressive performance for its size, rivaling premium cooler offerings. Capable of cooling some of the more powerful CPUs without being overly bulky, this cooler can also manage overclocking for specific CPUs. As a result, the Frost Commander is a strong contender for a wide variety of computer setups.

Noise Performance:

NH-U14S

Equipped with a 140mm NF-A15 PWM fan, the NH-U14S is designed for quiet operation. Striking a balance between cooling efficiency and noise, it is an ideal choice for users seeking a silent PC experience.

Frost Commander 140

Featuring two differently sized fans, this cooler generates above-average noise levels relative to the cooling it provides, unlike quieter options such as the NH-D15 or the Peerless Assassin 120. If you're seeking a quieter setup, you might want to explore alternative options that better suit your needs.

Summary:

NH-U14S

The Noctua NH-U14S stands out as an excellent cooler, offering a simple yet attractive design, top-notch cooling performance, hassle-free installation, and impressively low noise levels. It is the perfect choice for those looking for a reliable and quiet cooling solution for their PC.

Frost Commander 140

The Frost Commander is a sleek, dual-tower CPU cooler with an asymmetrical design, featuring 5 heat pipes for efficient heat dissipation and a unique hidden heat pipe end design. It offers impressive performance, capable of cooling powerful CPUs and handling overclocking, making it a strong contender for various computer setups. However, with two differently sized fans, it generates above-average noise levels compared to quieter alternatives, so those seeking a quieter setup may want to consider other options.