Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT
420 AIO
Noctua NH-D15 · Black
Air tower
Noctua NH-D15 · Black takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT lands at 90 and Noctua NH-D15 · Black at 93. That puts Noctua NH-D15 · Black ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Pick Noctua NH-D15 · Black if…
- ✓Multi-socket bracket support
- ✓Quiet fans at idle
- ✓Strong TDP rating
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testThermals
Noctua NH-D15 · BlackCompared on the thermals sub-score
Noctua NH-D15 · Black leads on thermals (93 vs 90).
Install
TieCompared on the install sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Noise
Noctua NH-D15 · BlackCompared on the noise sub-score
Noctua NH-D15 · Black leads on noise (89 vs 86).
Value for money
Noctua NH-D15 · BlackSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Noctua NH-D15 · Black more score per dollar ($109 vs $349).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT | Noctua NH-D15 · Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 420 AIO | Air tower |
Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
Noctua NH-D15 · Black
- +Multi-socket bracket support
- +Quiet fans at idle
- +Strong TDP rating
- −Height may conflict with RAM heatspreaders
- −AIO pump noise varies
- −Installation requires motherboard-off
FAQ: Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT vs Noctua NH-D15 · Black
Which is better, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT or Noctua NH-D15 · Black? +
Noctua NH-D15 · Black scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT worth the price? +
At $349, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in thermals.
Is Noctua NH-D15 · Black worth the price? +
At $109, Noctua NH-D15 · Black delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in thermals.
Does Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT or Noctua NH-D15 · Black last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for thermals, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT or Noctua NH-D15 · Black? +
Noctua NH-D15 · Black — leads on thermals (93 vs 90). Compared on the thermals sub-score.
Which is better for noise, Corsair H170i Elite LCD XT or Noctua NH-D15 · Black? +
Noctua NH-D15 · Black — leads on noise (89 vs 86). Compared on the noise sub-score.