Intel Core i7-4770K Review: Haswell Has Landed

Anytime Intel launches a new family of processors, component makers usually launch a fresh line of accessories to coincident with the processors’ release. In the leadup to this review, we got our hands on some new memory from G.SKILL qualified for use with Haswell and some nice coolers from Noctua as well.

G.SKILL Trident X memory kit, model F3-2666C11D-8GTXD

Like previous gen Sandy and Ivy Bridge processor, Haswell also has support for the latest XMP (Extreme Memory Profiles) code, for easy memory optimization and overclocking. You can expect an influx of fresh memory kits to arrive alongside Haswell, like the G.SKILL kit we have here. The G.SKILL Trident X memory kit pictured above consists of two, 4GB, DDR3-2666 sticks of memory (total 8GB), model number F3-2666C11D-8GTXD. The sticks run at 1.65v with CL11-13-13-35 timings, and are XMP compatible. A dual-fan active cooler is also included with the kit, which snaps right over the DIMM retention clips on most motherboards.

Noctua NH-U12S and NH-U14S Haswell-Compatible coolers

The Noctua NH-U12S and NH-U14S coolers you see here were released previously, but will work with Haswell-based 4th Generation Intel Core processors. These coolers feature a similar design with a dense array of aluminum fins, linked to a copper heatplate via multiple heatpipes.

The heatsinks are nickel plated and include fan with self-stabilizing, oil-pressure bearings, which provide long life and quiet operation. These coolers can also be arranged with dual-fans in a push-pull configuration if you so choose. The major difference between these two coolers is simply their size. The U12S works with 120mm fans, while the U14S is larger and works with 140mm fans.