Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 vs Noctua NH-C14S: Comparison
be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 and Noctua NH-C14S separate most on height: be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 at 163 mm, Noctua NH-C14S at 142 mm, 15% in favour of Noctua NH-C14S. They match on fan count and rgb lighting.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | be quiet! | Noctua |
| Cooler Type | Air, Single-Tower | Air Top-Down |
| Series | be quiet! Shadow Rock 3 | Noctua NH-C14S |
| Tower Type | Single-Tower | C-Type Top-Flow |
| Model Number | BK004 | NH-C14S |
| Height | 163 mm-15% | 142 mm |
| Socket Compatibility | Intel LGA1700/1200/2066/1151/1150/1155/2011(-3), AMD AM5/AM4 | AMD AM5/AM4, Intel LGA1954/1851/1700/1200/115X |
| Fan Count | 1 | 1 |
| Noise Level | 24.4 | 24.6 dBA+0.2 dBA |
| RGB Lighting | No | No |
Verdict
be quiet! Shadow Rock 3
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
The strongest cooler in be quiet!'s Shadow Rock series, and a genuinely quiet single-tower option for buyers who put acoustics ahead of maximum thermal headroom.
Noctua NH-C14S
8.1 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely clever convertible design that earns its price premium in the specific builds it's meant for, not a general-purpose upgrade over a standard tower cooler.