Noctua
Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black, Quiet High-Performance CPU Cooler
Bottom line: The Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black: Asymmetrical offset keeps the top PCIe slot clear on most ATX and Micro-ATX boards; main trade-off: ships with one NF-A15 fan, so a dual-tower push-pull setup costs extra.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Asymmetrical offset keeps the top PCIe slot clear on most ATX and Micro-ATX boards
- ✓ 65mm RAM clearance fits tall heatspreader memory kits without fan relocation
- ✓ 160mm height clears most mid-tower cases, unlike taller 165mm flagships
- ✓ NT-H1 paste and SecuFirm2 mount included, so no extra purchase to install
Cons
- ✗ Ships with one NF-A15 fan, so a dual-tower push-pull setup costs extra
- ✗ All-black chromax finish costs more than the standard brown-and-beige NH-D15S
- ✗ 160mm tall dual-tower body is too large for SFF and most Mini-ITX cases
- ✗ No RGB lighting on the heatsink or fan if your build leans on it
Manufacturer description
The Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black brings the cooling pedigree behind more than 150 awards from international hardware sites into an all-black finish that disappears into dark builds and lets your RGB do the talking. Its asymmetrical, single-fan dual-tower layout is the reason this cooler fits where other flagships don't: 65mm of RAM clearance for tall memory kits, a 160mm height that clears most mid-tower cases, and an offset that keeps the top PCIe slot unobstructed on most ATX and Micro-ATX boards. The award-winning NF-A15 140mm fan handles airflow with PWM automatic speed control, and the…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the cooling & fans category. Noctua's cooling & fans lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for cooling & fans of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the NH-D15S fit in my case?
The cooler stands 160mm tall, so it clears most mid-tower and full-tower ATX cases. Measure your case's stated CPU cooler clearance and confirm it is 160mm or greater before ordering.
Does it block RAM slots or the first PCIe slot?
It provides 65mm of RAM clearance, enough for most tall-heatspreader kits. The asymmetrical design also keeps the top PCIe slot unblocked on most ATX and Micro-ATX motherboards.
Which CPU sockets does the NH-D15S chromax.Black support?
The included SecuFirm2 mounting system covers Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200 and LGA115x, plus AMD AM5 and AM4. Mounting hardware for all listed sockets is in the box.
Can it handle a Ryzen 9950X or Core Ultra 285K?
Noctua lists it as a deluxe-tier choice for exactly those chips, including the 285K, 265K and 245K on Intel and the 9950X, 9900X, 9700X and 9600X on AMD.
How loud is it, and do I need to buy anything else?
The NF-A15 140mm fan uses PWM for automatic speed control and ships with a Low-Noise Adaptor for near-silent idle. NT-H1 thermal paste is included, so nothing else is required.
Key Features
- Proven premium heatsink (more than 150 awards and recommendations from international hardware websites), now available in an all-black design that goes great with many colour schemes and RGB LEDs
- Asymmetrical, single-fan design for dual-tower performance with high compatibility: 160mm height fits most tower cases, 65mm RAM clearance, does not block the PCIe slot on most ATX & Micro-ATX boards
- Renowned, award-winning NF-A15 140mm fan with Low-Noise Adaptor and PWM for automatic speed control: full cooling performance under load, whisper quiet at idle!
- Includes high-end NT-H1 thermal paste and SecuFirm2 mounting system for easy installation on Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA115x and AMD AM5 & AM4
- Renowned Noctua quality backed up by 6-year manufacturer’s warranty, deluxe choice for Intel Core & Core Ultra (e.g. 285K, 265K, 245K) and AMD Ryzen (e.g. 9950X, 9900X, 9700X, 9600X)
Full Specifications
| Brand | Noctua |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 12 volts |
| Material | Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating |
| Noise Level | 24.6 db |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Power Connector Type | 4-Pin |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 1500 rpm |
| EU Spare Part Availability Duration | 6 years |
Benchmark data for other processors
Ready to buy?
Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black, Quiet High-Performance CPU Cooler is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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