Page 4 - Conclusion
When the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact was launched alongside the flagship Xperia Z3, I immediately labeled the smaller phone as the jewel of the lineup. While it was obvious which phone is the face of Sony's mobile division, the Z3 Compact delivered outstanding performance without being large. However due to its smaller size, it is limited to a 720p screen, rather than a Full HD screen. This is understandable, because at a 4.6-inch screen size, there would not be a noticeable difference in upping the resolution. As for the Noctua NH-D9L, we find a similar story. This Noctua product has continued the legacy in providing a CPU cooler that can stay cool and quiet at the same time. This miniature version NH-D15 gave us good performance with superb build quality and aesthetics. The drawbacks, while present, stem directly from the physical size. Therefore, for obvious reasons, the cooling capabilities are less in comparison to the larger CPU cooler as expected. From the tests, the NH-D9L still proved to be far more capable than stock OEM coolers provided from Intel. Considering its shape and size, the Noctua NH-D9L is an excellent option for those that cannot accommodate anything larger in their environment. HTPC or small form factor case owners looking to build or improve upon their media computers should definitely take a look at this. At review time, the Noctua NH-D9L can be found for around $60 USD, which is not exactly the cheapest for a CPU cooler of this size. A second NF-A9 will put users back an additional $15, and will require a bit more wiggle room, so keep this in mind. For users with larger cases and more physical space, there are better and larger options out there which can cool your computer to a greater extent, such as the aforementioned NH-D15. However, those with a limited space, or those looking for a better solution than their stock cooler should keep their eyes on the Noctua NH-D9L.
Noctua provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.
APH Review Focus Summary:
8/10 means Definitely a very good product with drawbacks that aren't likely going to matter to the end user.
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks; but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Numeric Rating is 7.6/10
Please note that the APH Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other sites.
The Noctua NH-D9L may be one of the cutest CPU coolers, but do not let the size fool you: It is built like a Noctua, and it runs like a Noctua.
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Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware; Installation
3. Test Results
4. Conclusion
