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DESIGN OVERVIEW
Removing the fan we’ll get a look at the heat-sink which features an all black anodized coloring and a slim-dual tower design. Phanteks says that they’ve based the design of this heat-sink on the larger PH-TC14PE, which we use in our test bench.
The heat-sink is made up of 52 aluminum fins which feature Phanteks’ patented P.A.T.S (Physical Antioxidant Thermal Shield), which promises to “greatly increase the cooling performance and reliability while deflecting other thermal radiation from other heat sources” It the entire heat-sink measures 4.1 (L) x 2.9 (W) x 6.1 (H) inches without the fan.
At the top of the heat-sink we’ll see that Phanteks’ has capped off the tips of the heat-pipes with aluminum an aluminium shrouding that is also anodized black as the rest of the heat-sink. This is a very nice finishing touch and is slightly different from the Phanteks logo stamped plate that they usually cover the tops of their heat-sinks with.
On the other end of the heat-sink we’ll find six nickel-plated copper heat-pipes, which attached to the base from both ends. The base is also nickel-plated copper, and is completely flat with a mirror finish.
The fan included with the cooler is a Phanteks PH-F140HP PWM, 140mm, ultra high statis pressure premium fan. It features seven colored blades, and a UFB (updraft floating balance) bearing. It is rated for 500-1600 RPM, a noise level of 25.3 dB, and a max airflow of 68.1 CFM. It also measures 140 x 140 x 25mm.
The design of the fan is quite nice, featuring an all white housing, with black fan blades. The housing has the Phanteks logo stamped nicely on the left and right sides. It is made of all plastic, but is very premium feeling and solidly built.
The fan is attached to the heat-sink via two wire clips, which fit through a four plastic loops that are inserted into the fans mounting holes. It is a good system, and unlike heat-sinks with similar fan assemblies, this one stays on without issue. It also features a nice white braided cable, which is always a nice touch.
Review Overview
Design
Build Quality
Performance
Noise
Price
COOL!
The PH-TC14S delivers cooling performance that rivals the much larger and more expensive PH-TC14PE and other coolers in its class.
Nice work! A couple of questions; Where is the air temperature monitored? Is is only the room temperature or the needed cooler intake air temperature? Cooler intake air temperature is the important one, not the room temperature. Also the difference in noise level for 52dBA to 54dBA is not enough difference for most people to hear a change. I would expect 800rpm to be about 32dBA and full speed about 45dBA. Normally measurement are made with meter is 1metre away from noise source. What is your room base noise level?
Again, nice review!
Intake Air temperature is something we plan on doing in the future. Unfortunately we do lack the proper equipment to properly gauge the temperature of the air intake. However I do appreciate your feedback as this is definitely something we plan to improve upon further.
As for noise, we do in fact use a meter about 1metre away from the case. That being said, our ambient noise conditions are not perfect for testing, this is also something we plan on improving on.
Sorry if that doesn’t fully answer your questions. We hope to continue to hear your feedback going forward.
I, too, am interested in the intake air temperature. Thanks.
Please see the reply made to doyll.
Thanks for the feedback!
Monitoring cooler intake air temperature is easy and inexpensive. Give me your email address and I will supply details.
You can email me at donny.stanley(AT)technologyx(dot)com