Question Bought the NH-u14S but right after realized it wont fit in my motherboard. Any suggestion on a new one?

[matthewperacio]

So I went over to the noctua website today and put my mobo there and it said that the NH-U14S "The cooler overhangs the top PCIe x16 slot.". So I'm going to have to return it. Does anyone else have any recommendations?

Motherboard: msi Z370M gaming pro ac
cpu: i7 9700k

 

[Lafong]

Does Noctua say the same thing about the U12S?

D12L is dual tower, but shorter; check it.

DeepCool has some alternatives; don't know if you'd have clearance issues.

 

[matthewperacio]

Does Noctua say the same thing about the U12S?

D12L is dual tower, but shorter; check it.

DeepCool has some alternatives; don't know if you'd have clearance issues.

the NH-U12S, chromax.black and redux are good,


I did check on this site and it says its compatible? https://pangoly.com/en/compatibility/msi-z370m-gaming-pro-ac/cpu-cooler#compatible-list

 

[geofelt]

You were smart to check.
As far as I know, Noctua is the only cooler vendor that does that check.
The position of the first pcie x16 slot relative to the cpu socket is not exactly standard.
What is the make/model of your case and ram?

Your strongest cooler would be the NH-D15s which is a high compatibility version of the top cooler, the NH-D15.
It is quiet and efficient.

NH-D15S

Tailored to provide superior RAM and PCIe compatibility, the NH-D15S is an asymmetrical single fan version of Noctua’s award-winning flagship model, the NH-D15. Thanks to its asymmetrical design, the NH-D15S clears the top PCIe slot on most µATX and ATX motherboards. At the same time, the single...

noctua.at

As an alternative, the NH-U12A would certainly fit.

NH-U12A

The NH-U12A is the latest, 5th generation of Noctua’s award-winning NH-U12 series of 120mm size premium-quality quiet CPU coolers. Conceived to push the envelope of the 120mm form factor, it combines two of Noctua’s flagship model NF-A12x25 PWM 120mm fans with a completely redesigned heatsink...

noctua.at

 

[matthewperacio]

You were smart to check.
As far as I know, Noctua is the only cooler vendor that does that check.
The position of the first pcie x16 slot relative to the cpu socket is not exactly standard.
What is the make/model of your case and ram?

Your strongest cooler would be the NH-D15s which is a high compatibility version of the top cooler, the NH-D15.
It is quiet and efficient.

NH-D15S

Tailored to provide superior RAM and PCIe compatibility, the NH-D15S is an asymmetrical single fan version of Noctua’s award-winning flagship model, the NH-D15. Thanks to its asymmetrical design, the NH-D15S clears the top PCIe slot on most µATX and ATX motherboards. At the same time, the single...

noctua.at

As an alternative, the NH-U12A would certainly fit.

NH-U12A

The NH-U12A is the latest, 5th generation of Noctua’s award-winning NH-U12 series of 120mm size premium-quality quiet CPU coolers. Conceived to push the envelope of the 120mm form factor, it combines two of Noctua’s flagship model NF-A12x25 PWM 120mm fans with a completely redesigned heatsink...

noctua.at

my ram is a 2x8 vengeance lpx in the 2 and 4 slot
and my case is https://www.amazon.com.br/Gabinete-Samurai-Acrílico-Samptoaz3fca-Pcyes/dp/B0763TN2YY which can hold an ATX but the mobo is a micro atx

 

[matthewperacio]

You were smart to check.
As far as I know, Noctua is the only cooler vendor that does that check.
The position of the first pcie x16 slot relative to the cpu socket is not exactly standard.
What is the make/model of your case and ram?

Your strongest cooler would be the NH-D15s which is a high compatibility version of the top cooler, the NH-D15.
It is quiet and efficient.

NH-D15S

Tailored to provide superior RAM and PCIe compatibility, the NH-D15S is an asymmetrical single fan version of Noctua’s award-winning flagship model, the NH-D15. Thanks to its asymmetrical design, the NH-D15S clears the top PCIe slot on most µATX and ATX motherboards. At the same time, the single...

noctua.at

As an alternative, the NH-U12A would certainly fit.

NH-U12A

The NH-U12A is the latest, 5th generation of Noctua’s award-winning NH-U12 series of 120mm size premium-quality quiet CPU coolers. Conceived to push the envelope of the 120mm form factor, it combines two of Noctua’s flagship model NF-A12x25 PWM 120mm fans with a completely redesigned heatsink...

noctua.at

Which one should I get? The D15S or 12A?

 

[Lafong]

Either would be fine.

Different prices.

Are you a worry-wart about temps? If yes, the D15 will result in temps a few degrees cooler. At a higher cost and a considerably heavier cooler.

Up to you to determine if either has clearance issues of any type.

 

[matthewperacio]

Either would be fine.

Different prices.

Are you a worry-wart about temps? If yes, the D15 will result in temps a few degrees cooler. At a higher cost and a considerably heavier cooler.

Up to you to determine if either has clearance issues of any type.

for me on amazon the 12a is actually more expensive than the d15. its not worth buying used right?

 

[Lafong]

for me on amazon the 12a is actually more expensive than the d15. its not worth buying used right?

It would be worth buying used if you have a reliable seller.

Depends on how much cheaper than new.

Only moving parts would be the fan itself. They can be replaced. I have some that have run 35,000 hours without a problem (over 7 years, 7 days a week; 14 hours a day)

If new, the package would include a tube of good Noctua thermal paste, some fan clips, mounting hardware, and probably low noise adapters that you would likely never use because the Noctua fans are very quiet even without the adapter.

 

[ReveurGAM]

for me on amazon the 12a is actually more expensive than the d15. its not worth buying used right?

As @Lafong stated, both are great, even used as long as you can get photos of all sides to verify it's intact. Make sure it has fan clips and fans, and hopefully some thermal compound.

One alternative is to buy just the heatsink, then source the best fans you can afford.

There are certainly many other coolers that will also do the job, and most cost less, although i don't know what is available in your country.

 

[ReveurGAM]

Also, if the U14S doesn't fit, you should carefully measure your mobo, RAM and anything else nearby that you don't want the cooler to intersect or cover, then compare with the dimensions of each cooler. This will likely be a challenge because most manufacturers are bad about showing all dimensions, even Noctua. I had to measure the minimalist schematics for the D15 and U12A and use known dimensions to determine the scale.

 

[geofelt]

LPX is low profile ram.
No problems there.
Noctua rates coolers with NSPR.

Noctua’s Standardised Performance Rating (NSPR) and compatibility classification for CPU coolers

Designed in Austria, Noctua's premium cooling components are renowned for their superb quietness, exceptional performance and thoroughgoing quality.

noctua.at

The two coolers are essentially the same in cooling capability.
NH-D15s=167, NH-D12A=169.

 

[ReveurGAM]

@matthewperacio you can see how I figured it out here.