Phanteks PH-TC14CS CPU Cooler Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging and Bundle3. The Phanteks PH-TC14CS CPU Cooler4. Installing the Phanteks PH-TC14CS5. Testing Methodology and Performance6. Closing Thoughts7. View All Pages

We decided to use an Intel Core i7-3770K combined with a Biostar TZ77XE4 motherboard to test the Phanteks PH-TC14CS CPU cooler.  We overclocked the CPU to 4.7 GHz with a core voltage of 1.25V.

Test System

• Processor: Intel Core i7-3770K
• Motherboard: Biostar TZ77XE4
• Memory: 4 GB (2x 2GB) G.Skill RipjawsX DDR3 1600MHz
• Thermal Paste: Arctic Cooling MX-3
• Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 6950
• Graphics Card (noise tests): HIS Radeon HD 5550 Silence
• Chassis: Fractal Design Define XL

For our temperature tests we set of the both fans to maximum and loaded the system for 15 minutes using Prime 95. We then restarted the system and left it idling at the desktop for 15 minutes before recording temperatures. Room temperature was maintained at 19 degrees Celsius for the duration of the tests.

Our test results show the Be Quiet! Shadow Rock TopFlow outperformed the Phanteks PH-TC14CS by a margin of one degree in idle and load tests at stock settings. But when the system was overclocked, the Phanteks model outperformed the Be Quiet! considerably, by five degrees under load and one degree when idle.

In our noise level tests we switched off all the case fans so we are just taking into account the noise generated by the fans themselves.

We observed the noise level of our test system with the Phanteks PH-TC14CS installed and the noise level was below the 30 dBA minimum sensitivity of our sound level meter.  This is thanks in part to the excellent sound insulation of the Fractal Design Define XL.

With the side panel removed, the cooler was audible but still very quiet and with the PWM adapter installed, the cooler was nearly silent.

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