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Head-to-head · Best Cpu Air Coolers

Noctua NH-D15 vs Thermalright AXP90-X47

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Thermalright AXP90-X47 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about users needing high-performance low-profile cooling — read the strengths below before deciding.

Noctua NH-D15
Ranked #4 in Best Cpu Air Coolers
Noctua NH-D15
8 sources1 derived$159.95as of Oct 2

GamersNexus reviewed the Noctua NH-D15 G2 as the company's first major dual-tower cooler since 2014, noting it's the most expensive air cooler tested at $150. The cooler features 8 heatpipes and three cold plate variants designed for different CPU IHS styles. While it offers strong thermal performance and acoustic benefits with its new NF-A14 G2 fans, reviewers found it less performant and more costly than competing liquid coolers. This makes it best suited for users prioritizing air cooling over liquid solutions, though those seeking maximum performance may want to consider alternatives.

Strengths
  • — Features 8 heatpipes for improved thermal performance
  • — Includes three cold plate variants (HBC, LBC, Standard) for optimized CPU compatibility
  • — NF-A14 G2 fans use PPA/PPB design to reduce beat frequency phenomenon
Watch-outs
  • — More expensive than some top liquid coolers, such as the Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360
  • — Less performant than competing liquid coolers
$159.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Thermalright AXP90-X47
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Cpu Air Coolers
Thermalright AXP90-X47
3 sourcesall derived$38as of Oct 2

The Thermalright AXP90-X47 Full is an all-copper low-profile CPU cooler that delivers exceptional performance within its 47mm height constraint, according to sff.gg. It outperforms all other coolers in its class and is considered one of the best available. The cooler features a 4x 6mm copper heat pipe design with a nickel-coated copper base and cooling fins. While it offers excellent cooling performance, the mounting system requires securing from the back of the motherboard, which is considered outdated. The included orange stock fan is not aesthetically compatible with most systems, though the review recommends swapping it for an NF-A9x14 or RTX 4070 CNC fan.

Strengths
  • — All copper construction with 4x 6mm heat pipes and copper base for superior thermal performance
  • — Outperforms all other coolers in the 47mm height class
  • — Compact 47mm profile suitable for low-profile builds
Watch-outs
  • — Outdated mounting system that secures from the back of the motherboard
  • — Stock fan is only available in orange and doesn't match most system aesthetics
$38 · Buy at us.computerorbit.comFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Noctua NH-D15

The Noctua NH-D15 offers 8 heatpipes and advanced fan technology but is more expensive than the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE and lacks the performance of liquid coolers. Compared to the be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3 Black, it's less quiet and more costly, though it provides superior thermal performance for users who prefer air cooling over liquid solutions.

Thermalright AXP90-X47

The Thermalright AXP90-X47 delivers superior performance in a low-profile design, outperforming the AXP90-X36 in terms of cooling efficiency and heat pipe count. Unlike the ID Cooling IS-47-XT v2, it uses all-copper construction and offers better performance despite its outdated mounting system, though it lacks the flexible installation features of the IS-47-XT v2.

Specs side-by-side

SpecNoctua NH-D15Thermalright AXP90-X47
Cooler TypeAir Cooler—
Heat Pipes84x 6mm copper heat-pipes, copper base (nickel coated), copper cooling fins
Fan SizeNF-A14 G2 x290x15mm
Price$150—
Height168 mm47mm
Noise Level24.6 dB(A)22.4 dBA
CompatibilityAM5, AM4, LGA1700, LGA1851, LGA1954, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1200Intel: 1200/1700, AMD: AM4/AM5
Dimensions5.98"L x 5.91"W x 6.61"H94.5 mm x 95 mm x 32 mm
Voltage12 volts—
Wattage2.28 watts—
MaterialCopper, nickel plated—
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