Fans For CPU Cooler

[SirHolmes]

I want to acquire the best compatible option from the below fans to use on a Noctua NH-D14 cpu cooler. The on cooler fan configuration would be, going from right to left with left as the back of the case, a push (120mm fan over the ram for height compatibility reasons) pull, pull 140mm attached on the middle and end directed toward the back of the case. For those who are not familiar with the NH-D14 specs it can hold up 140mm fans but the metal clips that attach to the Heatsink from the fan require 120mm mounting holes on the fan otherwise it will not stay attached. Simply that means the fan needs to be in a more round or hex shape design or it will not mount. I am looking to maximize the performance so the price is negligible to me and the fan noise I would like below 40dBA. The following info is the "perfect/max" possible airflow and static pressure possible acquired from the manufacture’s website. I know the “max” is not what the fans would realistically achieve but if it is less, the reduction will be on a curve so "theoretically“ any fan’s performance should decline with similar percentages in a real world environment.

Please do not suggest water cooling because I already have the current air cooler and when talking about closed loop vs air my air cooler can go toe to toe with the likes of a corsair H100. When talking about custom loops vs air that is a different story with custom crushing air but that is not a current consideration for me.

The following fans are all 140mm with PWM:
1. Noctua NF-P14 FLX at 64.96 CFM (110.3 m3/h) with Static Pressure of 1.29 mmH2O
2. Noctua NF-A15 PWM at 68 CFM (115.53 m3/h) with Static Pressure of 1.51 mmH2O
3. Corsair Air Series AF140 67.8 CFM (115 m3/h) with Static Pressure of 0.84 mmH2O

Would compare to Corsair Air Series SP120 but it is not in the 140mm size

4. Cougar CF-V14HP at 70.5 CFM (119.8 m3/h) with Static Pressure of 1.38 mmH2O
5. Phanteks PH-F140HP at 88.6 CFM (151 m3/h) with Static Pressure of 1.64 mmH2O
6. XIGMATEK XAF-F1452 at 90.3 CFM (153 m3/h) with Static Pressure of 1.08 mmH2O
7. Prolimatech PRO-USV14 at 98 CFM (167 m3/h) with Static Pressure of 0.9 mmH2O

Which specification is more important providing a larger benefit for better cooling through a cpu Heatsink:

High static pressure with Low CFM, making CFM differences negligible
OR
Low static pressure with High CFM, making static pressure variations trivial?
OR
Does one feature offset the other in this situation?

Even though the last 2 fans have lower static pressure and higher CFM, are they pulling/moving air through the cpu cooler as good as or any better than the ones with higher static pressure and low CFM?

Specifically would the NF-P14 FLX provide better cooling then the Xigmatek because it has higher pressure or would the Xigmatek be better cooling because it has substantially better CFM and marginally lower pressure?

Would it be better to go with the Phanteks over the Xigmatek or Prolimatech?

Since we don’t live in a perfect world where I can have both high CFM and HIGH Static pressure, I am looking to maximize what I can. I know this was long but I appreciate the read and thank you for the help

 

[dma0991]

Both CFM and static pressure has its place. I typically limit usage of CFM fans as case fans and static pressure fans for heatsinks/radiators that have dense fins. You wouldn't gain much from changing the Noctua NH-D14's fans. They're pretty decent.

 

[amitkher]

See http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/140mm-fan-roundup.html and http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/140mm-fan-roundup-2.html.

It may not contain the fans you are considering, but it at least shows that manufacturer claimed CFM and static pressure are completely independent of reality. See xbitlabs review of 120 mm fans too, to confirm the conclusion.