Noctua NH-D15 150mm D-Type Premium Heatsink Review

Installing any Noctua heatsink is extremely easy and their universal mounting hardware not only is one of the best we have ever used but works with any Noctua cooler currently on the market.  The system is so universal that when new socket configurations come out you can contact Noctua and get a free socket upgrade kit with proof of purchase. 

As with any installation you must first start with the included hardware.   Each of the boxes shown in this photo contain the hardware you need to install the NH-D15 on any modern motherboard.  We'll be using the X79 LGA2011 system for our tests so some of the hardware such as the backplate and spacers will not be used.  For specific installation instructions related to your platform please consult the included users' guide.

The first step will be to locate the threaded risers and install them into the heatsink mounting holes around the CPU socket.  These are 4mm threaded holes so be sure to match up the proper end.

Next you'll install the mounting plates and be sure to place them so they look to be bowing out from the CPU socket as this will ensure the proper spacing.  Each of the mounting plates are held in place with a thumb nut and secured either with finger pressure or Phillips screwdriver.

How you install the mounting plates will also determine the orientation of your heatsink.  Installing them as pictured will have the tower parallel to the long length of the motherboard and memory modules.  For the X79 this is the only orientation that works but you are free to experiment.   

Once the mounting plates have been installed you can apply some thermal paste and secure the heatsink.  We prefer the 5-dot method with dabs evenly spaced in an X configuration.

To secure the heatsink line up the mounting screws with the posts on the mounting plates.  Loosely tighten each side evenly until the screws stop.  When you are done, install the fans and you are ready to go.

As you can see from the following photos the NH-D15 will allow tall Corsair Dominator memory modules to be installed however, on the X79 platform it will limit fan placement.  Our test system uses the low profile Kingston HyperX modules and installing the NF-A15 puts the fan right on top of the modules with a good amount of the fan above the heatsink.  Had we been using the Corsair Dominators the fan would sit too tall on the heatsink and require it to be removed.

Noctua recommends only running the center fan for the best compatibility and while this may increase your noise footprint you can be guaranteed that any memory modules will fit.  If you are using tall modules and want to run more fans you have the option of using an NF-F12 with the same mounting hardware or something smaller which may require a creative mounting method.