NZXT Havik 140 CPU Cooler Review

The Havik 140 is a completely new and fresh design to come out of NZXT’s lab. As the name instigates, it is designed to take advantage of better performing but quieter operating 140mm fans. Thermalright and Noctua have been the first to introduce such concepts and given the rising popularity of 140mm fans into the mainstream, it wasn’t long till consumers were going to see these on CPU coolers. Perhaps the closest competitor to the NZXT is the Thermalright Archon which also comes with its own 140mm fan. The Havik looks like a very traditional heatsink on initial impressions. It boasts six 6mm heat pipes, uses an aluminium and copper construction, has a densely packed laminar fin array and dimensions comparable to other towers such as the Venomous X. As such, we expect performance to be comparable. The highlight is of course the inclusion of two uniquely shaped 140mm fans, a first for tower coolers. The overall package from NZXT is a complete one but can NZXT compete outside of their comfort zone?