Noctua NH-U14s -- Vertical or Horizontal Mount Better?

[Ryanrenesis]

Well I just got my i5-4690K and I'm cooling it with a Noctua NH-U14s.

On first mount, I mounted it vertically (wind going up), and my average core temps were:
72.75C on Intel Extreme Tuning Utility and 95.25C on Intel Burn Test.

I then changed the mounting horizontally (wind going to the back) and average core temps were:
69C on Intel Extreme Tuning Utility and 87.25C on Intel Burn Test.

It's interesting to note that I only have 1x 120mm fan on the back while I have 2x 120mm fans on the top exhaust, yet I still get better temps mounting it horizontally.

It seems the convex shape of the heatsink's base really helps align with the die on the i5-4690K under the IHS, and I think that's why I'm getting much better temps with the horizontal mounting.

This experiment I did was in no way scientific as I only did it once each time and it could be other reasons why a remount drastically reduced my temperatures. But it is something worth to note. 🙂

Have a nice day !

 

[Essence_of_War]

It seems the convex shape of the heatsink's base really helps align with the die on the i5-4690K under the IHS, and I think that's why I'm getting much better temps with the horizontal mounting.

That seems pretty dubious to me.

What case are you using? Most cases are designed to promote front->back airflow, so I don't think it's very surprising that the NH-U14S works better in that configuration.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

There are opinions -- some from our honored gurus -- about heatsink "base-convexity," but I don't buy it. I grind those suckers down flat and get rid of all the nickel plate on both the bottom surface of the heatsink base and the IHS.

The effectiveness of these coolers depends on airflow up to the point where air-pressure and airflow cease to have further effect. If you're going to mount the Noctua with broad side facing upward, then your main exhaust port should be at the computer's top vent. If you mount it conventionally, then focus the exhaust out the rear vent.

If you build a foam-board (or Lexan -- whatever) duct between the exhaust side of the cooler and the exhaust fan (wherever it is -- rear or top), you will improve cooler effectiveness. It is only left to thermally control the exhaust fan to find that spot where the extra CFMs and noise don't make cooling any better. You can acoustically deaden the duct itself and put a foam-rubber collar around the exhaust fan. Use rubber fan mounts.

Heatpipes were originally developed under NASA contract to cool components in space vehicles. They have a life-span of about a million years. There has been speculation that the orientation of the pipes (vertical versus horizontal) has a "gravitational effect" on cooling effectiveness, but it isn't true -- not much, anyway. Consider the environment for which they were originally developed.

 

[Ryanrenesis]

That seems pretty dubious to me.

What case are you using? Most cases are designed to promote front->back airflow, so I don't think it's very surprising that the NH-U14S works better in that configuration.

I'm using a Corsair 200R case, with 1 front intake 120mm fan, 1 side 120mm intake fan, 1 bottom intake 120mm fan, 2 top 120mm exhaust fans, and 1 exhaust 120mm back fan.

With the 120mm side fan, the vertical mount should have adequate airflow from side -> heatsink, as adequate as front -> heatsink. That is why I think the convex shape of the heatsink base plays a major role here.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm using a Corsair 200R case, with 1 front intake 120mm fan, 1 side 120mm intake fan, 1 bottom intake 120mm fan, 2 top 120mm exhaust fans, and 1 exhaust 120mm back fan.

With the 120mm side fan, the vertical mount should have adequate airflow from side -> heatsink, as adequate as front -> heatsink. That is why I think the convex shape of the heatsink base plays a major role here.

The only thing the convexity does is to assure greater pressure on the IHS, whether you mount the HSF exhausting to the rear or to the top. In fact, one forum member posted data showing that the limited surface area contact creates a "heat dam" hampering effectiveness. It wouldn't have anything to do with the orientation of the cooler.

If you really want to get the best temperatures from the cooler, make all fans intake fans except for either the rear or top -- one or the other allocated as exhaust. Duct the cooler exhaust side to the exhaust fan. Force all the air in the case to exhaust through the cooler.

It would also be possible to use both top and rear as exhausts, ducting them both. Then all air enters through two sides of the cooler and exhausts through the other two sides. But that would be more trouble than it's worth.