Noctua NH-D15 G2 HBC

The NH-D15 G2 is the further improved second generation of Noctua’s iconic NH-D15.

With its state-of-the-art, speed-offset NF-A14x25r G2 PWM fans, eight heatpipes and asymmetrical fin-stacks that have been carefully fine-tuned to work in tandem with the new fans, it achieves even better quiet cooling performance than its award-winning predecessor.

As such, the G2 version is a true flagship model that continues the legacy of the original NH-D15 by pushing the boundaries of air cooling and rivalling the efficiency of many all-in-one (AIO) water cooling solutions. Optimised for strongly concave CPUs, the specialised High Base Convexity (HBC) version provides excellent contact quality on Intel LGA1700 processors that are used with full ILM pressure or have become permanently deformed in long-term use.

In addition to its further improved performance, the NH-D15 G2 also offers enhanced compatibility thanks to an offset construction that allows it to clear the top PCIe x16 slot on most current motherboards.

Last but not least, the G2 version has been upgraded to the Torx®-based SecuFirm2+™ multi-socket mounting system with included NM-SD1 screwdriver as well as to Noctua’s superior NT-H2 thermal compound. In short, the NH-D15 G2 has been further refined in virtually all respects from the heatsink and the fans all the way down to the mounting, thermal paste and accessory package. 

Summing up the test results, our default recommendation is the medium base convexity standard version since it provides the best results on AMD AM5 with the offset mounting as well as on Intel LGA1700 with the included 1mm shim-washers unless the CPU has become permanently deformed from long-term use with full ILM pressure. Even in this case, when running Intel LGA1700 CPUs with full ILM pressure or when not using the offset mounting on AMD AM5, the standard version is guaranteed to provide solid results.

However, it’s in these cases and certain other applications that the specialised LBC and HBC versions can offer an extra 1-2°C edge, which makes them an attractive option for customers who want to get the best possible results in these particular configurations and don’t mind trading in some versatility for this. By contrast, the standard medium base convexity version is the most versatile and future-proof.