Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
be quiet! Pure Loop 2 280 vs Noctua NH-D9L: Comparison
be quiet! Pure Loop 2 280 and Noctua NH-D9L separate most on fan count: be quiet! Pure Loop 2 280 at 2, Noctua NH-D9L at 1, 50% in favour of be quiet! Pure Loop 2 280. Warranty splits them by another 50%, this time favouring Noctua NH-D9L.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | be quiet! | Noctua |
| Cooler Type | AIO Liquid | Air Tower |
| Series | be quiet! Pure Loop 2 280 | Noctua NH-D9L |
| Model Number | BW018 | NH-D9L |
| Socket Compatibility | AMD AM4/AM5, Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X | AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1954/1851/1700/1200/115X |
| Tower Layout | Not Applicable | Dual-Tower |
| Fan Count | 2 | 1-50% |
| Noise Level | 33.8 dBA+11 dBA | 22.8 dBA |
| RGB Lighting | Yes | No |
| Cooler Weight | 1240 g | 531 g |
| Fan Size | 140 mm | 92 mm |
| Max Speed | 1800 RPM-10% | 2000 RPM |
| Airflow | 72.2 CFM | 46.44 CFM-36% |
| Static Pressure | 2.44 mmH2O | 2.28 mmH2O-7% |
| PWM Control | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 3 years-50% | 6 years |
| Fans | 2x Pure Wings 3 140mm PWM high-speed | 1x NF-A9 PWM 92mm |
| Source URL | https://www.bequiet.com/en/watercooler/4398 | https://www.noctua.at/en/products/nh-d9l/specifications |
Verdict
Noctua NH-D9L
8.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The best compact dual-tower option for small-case builds that still want Noctua-grade reliability and don't want to compromise all the way down to a single-tower cooler.