The Noctua NH-D15 is alike its predecessor the NH-D14 based on a twin tower design, sporting also a push and pull fan setup, with the option to even install a 3rd fan. Take note that due to the massive dimensions this cooler might not fit inside your case, in case you should opt for the best air cooler in town make sure your case can house it.

One of the bigger shortcomings of the NH-D14 was the memory incompatibility when one used non low profile memory kits. Especially on the LGA 2011-2/3 setups with Quad channel memory installed these coolers could be pain to install. Noctua has partly tackled this incompatibility or installation issue by providing a clear cut on both bottom sides, thus when using only one fan the NH-D15 should have no issues at all with even heat spreaders of up to 64mm in height. When using the second fan on has to either use again memory of max 32mm or move the fan slightly upwards to provide memory clearance again. The latter is all depending on what the enclosure allows yes or no.

Versus the NH-D14 Noctua has increased the D15's fin-stack from 140 to 150mm and the heat pipes are now spaced further apart to allow for a more uniform heat distribution over the now larger surface area, allowing this new monster cooler to be even more cooling efficient, still sporting six 6mm nickel plated copper heat pipes divided over the twin tower heat sinks enhances the cooling potential over a single tower design.

One can clearly spot the cut in the tower design to enhance the memory compatibility. The copper heat pipes are soldered to the tower heat sinks to warrant better heat transfer. The shape of the fins also have been designed to enhance the airflow through the fins, thus maximizing the total dissipation surface.

A closer look to the nickel plated copper base, to provide a scratch free surface for superb contact with the processors heat spreader. One can also see part of the Secufirm2 mounting system, but we go a bit more into detail on that one on the next page.