Cooler/Memory Combo that Fits ASUS P9X79-WS!?

[CTL-ALT-DEL]

Hello,

I am having problems getting a combination of components that fit the new rig I am building. I purchased a Noctua NH-D14 cooler for my ASUS P9X79-WS motherboard based on TH reviews along with 4x4GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 DIMMs. The D14 is huge and the DIMM heat sinks are about 0.5" too long such that the cooler doesn't clear the top of the DIMMs.

I was just looking at the following cooler benchmarks:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/LGA-2011-i7-3960X-Air-Overclocking,3130-16.html

And see that TH used a DH-14 with the same motherboard for the test with G.Skill F3-17600CL9Q-16GBXLD DIMMs instead. Even these look like they may not fit (no pictures with both the cooler and DIMMs installed). When I try to find this memory online it's out of stock everywhere.

At this point I don't know whether to return the DH-14 or my DIMMs. Get a smaller cooler or DIMMs with shorter heat-fins? The Noctua is huge and heavy so I think I'd like something smaller that will work but it will be easier to return the memory.

I don't plan on doing any crazy overclocking with this rig and will never have more than one GPU installed. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

CTL-ALT-DEL

 

[HJV]

Hi,

hope you didn't return the Noctua. I tried Kingston HyperX, Corsair Vengeance LP and G.Skill Ripjaws Z on the same MB/Cooler combo (P9x79 WS, 3930K, NH-D14) and all fit. Here are the numbers:

Kingston Hyperx (Blue)
16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL9 DIMM
PartNumber: KHX1600C9D3K4/16GX
Specs: DDR3, 1600MHz, Unbuffered, 1.65V, Non-ECC,
Height: 30mm

Corsair Vengeance Low Profile
16GB Quad Channel DDR3 Memory Kit
CML16GX3M4X1600C8
Height: 26.25mm

RipjawsZ F3-12800CL9Q-16GBZL (4Gx4)
DDR3-1600 PC3 12800 16GB(4GB x 4) CL 9-9-9-24-2N 1.5V XMP Ready
Height: 40mm

The Noctua should allow approx. 44mm

Hope this helps,

John

 

[jaquith]

I hate the Noctua NH-D14 and IMO it's a lawnmower + PITA.

Noctua NH-D14:
MOBO Compatibility - http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_gen&products_id=34&lng=en#LGA2011_Asus
RAM Compatibility - http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_ram_gen&products_id=34&lng=en#DDR3_Corsair

IMO get a Corsair H100 and you'll be MUCH happier. I run the H100 on Medium and it's perfectly fine -- you can purchase better fans to reduce noise. i7-3930K @ 4.8GHz - http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=2320509

Couple of huge things reviewers tend to forget is hassle of installation and the even bigger hassle of maintenance and cleaning. Cleaning an H100 takes me <5 minutes (vacuum), cleaning an NH-D14 requires that you typically to pull the heat sink or you're going to half ass clean it.

Noctua NH-D14 vs Corsair H100:

ref - http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1801/14/

H100 clean looking installation:

 

[adamghering]

Hey I want to build this machine and have been talking to ASUS. Couple of things? How do you like the setup? and also...They say if you use non-ecc 1600 mhz memory then you can only use 4 out of the 8 dimms. But I see you are using all 8. Just a question..

Otherwise, I see you have had this setup for a while and I was wondering if you had any advice on the build. Yours looks pretty clean..What case are you using etc. if you were to build it again what would you change.

Also, I am a little behind the times on the newest hardware....what are the optimal motherboard settings. I do not plan to OC so...No need I am going for more stability than speed

I hate the Noctua NH-D14 and IMO it's a lawnmower + PITA.

Noctua NH-D14:
MOBO Compatibility - http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_gen&products_id=34&lng=en#LGA2011_Asus
RAM Compatibility - http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_ram_gen&products_id=34&lng=en#DDR3_Corsair

IMO get a Corsair H100 and you'll be MUCH happier. I run the H100 on Medium and it's perfectly fine -- you can purchase better fans to reduce noise. i7-3930K @ 4.8GHz - http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=2320509

Couple of huge things reviewers tend to forget is hassle of installation and the even bigger hassle of maintenance and cleaning. Cleaning an H100 takes me <5 minutes (vacuum), cleaning an NH-D14 requires that you typically to pull the heat sink or you're going to half ass clean it.

Noctua NH-D14 vs Corsair H100:
http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/1801/lga2011_cooler_roundup_047.jpg
ref - http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1801/14/

H100 clean looking installation:
http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/Jaquith/Davids-Computer-Office.jpg

 

[adamghering]

Hey I want to build this machine and have been talking to ASUS. Couple of things? How do you like the setup? and also...They say if you use non-ecc 1600 mhz memory then you can only use 4 out of the 8 dimms. But I see you are using all 8. Just a question..

Otherwise, I see you have had this setup for a while and I was wondering if you had any advice on the build. Yours looks pretty clean..What case are you using etc. if you were to build it again what would you change.

Also, I am a little behind the times on the newest hardware....what are the optimal motherboard settings. I do not plan to OC so...No need I am going for more stability than speed

I hate the Noctua NH-D14 and IMO it's a lawnmower + PITA.

Noctua NH-D14:
MOBO Compatibility - http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_gen&products_id=34&lng=en#LGA2011_Asus
RAM Compatibility - http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_ram_gen&products_id=34&lng=en#DDR3_Corsair

IMO get a Corsair H100 and you'll be MUCH happier. I run the H100 on Medium and it's perfectly fine -- you can purchase better fans to reduce noise. i7-3930K @ 4.8GHz - http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=2320509

Couple of huge things reviewers tend to forget is hassle of installation and the even bigger hassle of maintenance and cleaning. Cleaning an H100 takes me <5 minutes (vacuum), cleaning an NH-D14 requires that you typically to pull the heat sink or you're going to half ass clean it.

Noctua NH-D14 vs Corsair H100:
http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/1801/lga2011_cooler_roundup_047.jpg
ref - http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1801/14/

H100 clean looking installation:
http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/Jaquith/Davids-Computer-Office.jpg

 

[Paul P]

Hey I want to build this machine and have been talking to ASUS. Couple of things? How do you like the setup? and also...They say if you use non-ecc 1600 mhz memory then you can only use 4 out of the 8 dimms.

Could you please elaborate on this ? I also have a P9X79WS, still in the box. I've never heard about this limitation. What was the reason given ?

 

[adamghering]

Sorry....that was only if you were using xmp memory. I got clarification from asus.

I am trying to get the most bang for my buck...I have the money to spend for the quality and the p9x79 looks like it is a great platform.

I am a little on the fence for a couple of things.

1. xeon e5-1660 or i73960x ...although they seem like the same processor there are some differences. Like stability ...the ability to use ecc memory (and yes I may need ecc as I do run simulations) and there is also the cache difference.

2. If I go with ECC unbuffered memory, none of the modules I have found have touted that they are quad channel....but all non-ecc modules are quick to post this as a feature.

3. I am looking to use the air cpu cooler Be quiet! dark rock pro 2. If I go this route. What case, memory setup should I get so everything fits properly.

I don't want the biggest tower on the block but I am going to put a quadro 5000 sli with a tesla c2705 card in there so it is going to need a lot of air circulation and space.

any thoughts?

Could you please elaborate on this ? I also have a P9X79WS, still in the box. I've never heard about this limitation. What was the reason given ?