It’s time to check out the fully blacked out NH-D15 G2 CPU cooler. Can this chromax.black offering deliver outstanding results?
Product on Review: NH-D15 G2 chromax.black
Manufacturer: Noctua
Street Price: GBP £139 | USD $189 | AUD $299
The Noctua NH-D15 G2 chromax.black represents the latest evolution of Noctua’s flagship dual-tower air cooler platform, building upon the legacy established by the long-standing Noctua NH-D15. Designed to meet the thermal demands of modern high-power desktop processors, the G2 revision introduces a series of refinements to both the heatsink architecture and fan technology. While the original NH-D15 earned widespread recognition for its balance of performance, acoustics, and reliability, the G2 iteration aims to push those boundaries further through improvements in heat transfer efficiency, compatibility, and acoustic optimisation.
At its core, the NH-D15 G2 retains the familiar dual-tower heatsink design that has defined Noctua’s high-end air coolers for over a decade. The cooler utilises a large nickel-plated copper base connected to an array of aluminium fin stacks via multiple high-capacity heatpipes, engineered to rapidly conduct thermal energy away from the CPU’s integrated heat spreader. This architecture provides a substantial thermal dissipation surface area while maintaining controlled airflow channels between the towers. The chromax.black variant applies Noctua’s signature all-black coating across the heatsink, fans, and mounting hardware, offering a stealth aesthetic while preserving the thermal performance characteristics of the underlying materials.
Cooling performance is further enhanced through the inclusion of next-generation fans derived from Noctua’s latest aerodynamic research. These fans incorporate advanced blade geometry, tight tip clearances, and optimised frame structures designed to maximise static pressure and airflow through dense fin arrays. Combined with high-precision bearings and refined PWM control, the design targets both strong thermal performance under heavy workloads and exceptionally low acoustic output during idle or moderate system loads. As with previous Noctua products, build quality and mounting hardware are engineered with longevity and ease of installation in mind.
In this review, we will examine the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black in detail, evaluating its design, build quality, and installation experience before subjecting it to controlled thermal and acoustic testing across multiple workload scenarios. These results will help determine how the new generation compares not only to its predecessor but also to other flagship air coolers currently available on the market.
In this review, we will take a closer look at the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black, examining its construction, design refinements, and installation process before moving on to performance evaluation!
Technical Specifications
Below are the technical specifications surrounding the G2:
• Cooler dimensions (with fans): 168 mm (H) × 150 mm (W) × 152 mm (D)
• Weight (with fans): 1525 g
• Fan configuration: 2 × 140 mm NF-A14x25r G2 PWM fans
• Fan speed range: 0–1500 RPM
• Maximum airflow: 155.6 m³/h (91.58 CFM)
• Maximum noise level: 24.8 dB(A)
• Number of heatpipes: 8 heatpipes (6 mm diameter)
• Heatsink materials: Copper (nickel-plated) base and heatpipes, aluminium (nickel-plated) fins
• CPU socket compatibility: AMD AM4/AM5 and Intel LGA1700, LGA1851, LGA1954, LGA115x, LGA1200
• Cooling performance rating: NSPR 228 (Noctua Standardised Performance Rating)
Closer Look
G2 comes in a nicely designed box with depictions of the cooler and some technical details. Within the box, in true Noctua fashion, all of the included parts are very neatly compartmentalised and housed in cardboard sections. As part of the bundle we get the following items:
• 2x NF-A14x25r G2 PWM chromax.black premium fan
• 2x NA-RC16 Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.)
• NA-YC1 4-pin PWM splitter cable
• NT-H2 high-grade thermal compound
• NA-TPG1 thermal paste guard for AM5
• NA-CW1 cleaning wipe
• Black SecuFirm2+™ multi-socket mounting system
• NM-SD1 Torx® T20 screwdriver
• Noctua metal case-badge
G2 is a gigantic CPU cooler which boasts a dual-tower design and of course, having the chromax.black treatment, does indeed mean we have the black livery. This theme is an alternative to Noctua’s signature beige and brown colourway which some system builders do find it difficult to pair up hardware with. An all-black design has no issue with retaining that stealthy aesthetic, and as you can see, it looks very clean.
As well as the dual-tower, we also have two 140mm cooling fans straight out of the box (Configured in a push configuration), and these fans are NF-A14x25 G2 PWM fans, capable of 0-1500 RPM and 91.58 CFM. Both fans feature a 4-pin fan header connection.
G2 takes advantage of aluminium, nicked-plated fins which follow a convex contour. There are also 8 copper heatpipes which pass through the baseplate and poke out through the top of the find stack.
The baseplate is notably large on G2, catering for a large selection of socket types, and utilises a mirror finish. As we have seen in the past, Noctua pre-install the tensioned mounting screws directly to the baseplate to make the install easier.
Installation Process (Intel 1700)
For the installation process, we’ll be showcasing LGA1700 and more specifically the Intel 12900K. The first part of the install requires you to locate the Intel backplate an attach the four screws. Depending on the Intel socket type, you’ll need to position these screws in position 1 or 2. We are using position 2.
Next, we need to pass this plate and its screws through the mounting holes on the motherboard, from the reverse side as shown above. This part can be tricky because the top two screws can fall away from the back of the board due to gravity. We would have liked to see Noctua include some adhesive to keep the plate fixed in place.
Now we have to locate the two mounting bars and position them over the screws, on the other side of the motherboard. Screws then needs to be tightened on this front side, and thermal paste applied to the CPU. Noctua recommends 5 blobs, 4 small towards the corners, and 1 large in the middle.
The last step is to place the CPU cooler over the CPU, line up the mounting screws and then tighten the screws using the Torx screwdriver that Noctua supplies. This does require you to remove the middle cooling fan. We also advice you to do a few turns of each screw, and then move to the other, and continue in this sequence to apply even pressure until tight.
All that is left is to grab the Y-cable, plug in the two cooling fan cables, and then locate the “CPU Fan” header on the board, and attach the Y-cable to this header.
And here is the finished look. The process is simple, and the results look incredible!
(Note: We did have to remove our tall memory kit (45mm tall) from this board due to compatibility issues. If you do have a kit over 30mm you may have problems with fitment.
Test Setup & Methodology
HARDWARE
Rather than analyse CPU coolers on a test bench, we prefer to simulate a real-world configuration where all of the components are housed within a computer case. By doing this, our readers are able to see the CPU cooler in a real-world scenario.Special thanks go to Intel, MSI, Corsair, Noctua and AverMedia for providing the hardware configuration for our CPU cooler reviews:
CPU – Intel Core i9-12900K
Board – MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4
RAM – Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO SL (16GB)
Power Supply – Corsair RMx850
Hard Drive – Intel S3500 128GB
Case – MSI SEKIRA 500G
Board – MSI MAG B660 Tomahawk WiFi DDR4
RAM – Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO SL (16GB)
Power Supply – Corsair RMx850
Hard Drive – Intel S3500 128GB
Case – MSI SEKIRA 500G
BENCHMARKS
In order to perform our thermal and acoustics tests we use AIDA64 Stability test. The 12900K CPU is left in its default stock state with EIST, Turbo enabled.For the moment, the comparison results highlight only a small number of CPU coolers, this is because we’ve updated our hardware configuration. The number of tested coolers will increase.
To reflect the most accurate user experience we always test our coolers in their out-of-the-box state, with the cooling fans/components they are sold with. However, we do not use the supplied thermal paste as this would skew results – for our thermal paste we use Noctua NT-H2 which provides us with that level playing field and consistency.
To record the idle temperatures result, our system is booted into Windows and left to idle for 20 minutes. The average core temperatures are recorded (Using Core Temp), and then we following this we apply the AIDA64 Stability test to apply an intensive load on the CPU. After 20 minutes have elapsed, we then record the average core temperatures.
All temperature results are delta, this is calculated by subtracting the ambient from the average core temperature. Ambient temperature is recorded using a digital thermometer placed near the front intake of the case.
In regards to acoustics we use the exact methodology above except all case system fans are disabled. This isolates the CPU cooler fans and allows us to accurately report on the decibel readings. We record acoustics using the NDI KC-330D Sound Level Meter at a distance of approximately 30cm.
Thermal Results
Below are the results for our thermal test. We record both the idle and load temperatures – stress is applied to the CPU using AIDA64’s stability test.
Acoustic Results
In terms of the acoustics test, we disable all case fans and place our sound level meter approximately 30cm away from the cooling fans and the result is then obtained.
Conclusion
The Noctua NH-D15 G2 chromax.black ultimately delivers the kind of engineering refinement expected from a flagship air cooler. From a design perspective, the fully blacked-out chromax aesthetic gives the cooler a sleek, professional appearance that integrates cleanly into modern system builds. More importantly, that visual polish is backed by exceptional build quality. The dual-tower heatsink is precisely machined, the soldered heatpipe construction is robust, and the included fans demonstrate the tight tolerances and material quality that have become synonymous with Noctua products.
In terms of performance, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black proves why large dual-tower air coolers remain relevant even in a market increasingly dominated by liquid solutions. The substantial fin surface area and multi-heatpipe layout allow the cooler to dissipate significant thermal loads efficiently, resulting in outstanding thermal performance under sustained workloads. Just as impressive is the acoustic behaviour. Even when the fans ramp under higher thermal loads, noise output remains remarkably controlled, making it an excellent option for users who prioritise both cooling capability and quiet operation.
The installation experience is equally well executed. Noctua’s mounting system remains one of the most user-friendly solutions available, providing a secure installation process that minimises the risk of uneven mounting pressure. The cooler also offers extensive socket compatibility across modern platforms, which increases its long-term value for users who may upgrade systems over time. The bundle is generous as well, including a variety of mounting hardware, accessories, and support components that reinforce the premium nature of the package. Backed by a six-year warranty, the overall offering emphasises durability and long-term reliability.
That said, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black is not without its limitations. As with many large dual-tower coolers, physical clearance can become a concern; systems equipped with taller memory heatsinks may encounter compatibility issues during installation. It would also have been helpful to see adhesive included to assist with positioning the backplate during installation—while not essential, it would make the mounting process slightly easier. The biggest barrier for many users, however, will be the price. At approximately GBP £139, USD $189, or AUD $299, it sits firmly in the premium segment.
Nevertheless, for builders seeking top-tier air cooling performance combined with excellent acoustics and build quality, the NH-D15 G2 chromax.black remains a compelling high-end solution.
Pros
+ Sleek, professional looks
+ Exceptional build quality
+ Unmatched performance
+ Impressive low-noise operation
+ Easy to install
+ Extensive socket compatibility0
+ Bundle includes lots of extras
+ 6 years warranty
Cons
– Taller memory kits struggle to fit
– Adhesive in the install bundle would be good
– Pricey
+ Sleek, professional looks
+ Exceptional build quality
+ Unmatched performance
+ Impressive low-noise operation
+ Easy to install
+ Extensive socket compatibility0
+ Bundle includes lots of extras
+ 6 years warranty
Cons
– Taller memory kits struggle to fit
– Adhesive in the install bundle would be good
– Pricey
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