Our standard recommendation is the standard NH-D15 G2 because it’s the best allrounder and most versatile of the three versions:
It provides the best results on AMD AM5 using the included offset mounting and on LGA1700 CPUs when utilising the included NA-SW1 washers or so-called contact frames to reduce CPU deformation from ILM pressure.
We recommend the HBC version for LGA1700 if you don’t want to modify the socket with washers or contact frames.
We also recommend the HBC version for LGA1700 CPUs that may have become permanently deformed from long-term use with full ILM pressure.
We recommend the LBC version for AM5 in case you don’t want to use the offset mounting or if you want to combine the lowest possible CCD temperatures with the lowest possible IOD temperatures.
We also recommend the LBC version for AM4, LGA2066 and LGA2011 (free-of-charge NM-i20xx mounting kit required), delidded AM5 CPUs (direct die) as well as CPUs that have been lapped flat or outfitted with flat custom heatspreaders.
NH-D15 G2 LBC | NH-D15 G2 (standard) | NH-D15 G2 HBC | |
| ✔ Excellent | ✓ Good | ✗ Not Recommended |
| ✔ Excellent | ✔ Excellent | ✓ Good |
| ✓ Good | ✔ Excellent | ✓ Good |
| ✗ Not Recommended | ✔ Excellent | ✓ Good |
| ✗ Not Recommended | ✓ Good | ✔ Excellent |
* a set of 1mm washers (NA-SW1) is included with the coolers
For further information and thermal performance comparisons, please refer to this article.