[SOLVED] CPU Cooler Back-Plates - Common?

[Raging_Vampire]

Daft question here, borne of pure laziness. A CPU cooler backplate is fitted so that the weight of the cooler doesn't cause deformation of the motherboard. Considering changing my cooler (going from dark rock slim to CM ML360R for those interested), and was curious whether I need to change the back bracket since the defining characteristic is the position and spacing of the mounting bolts, which are set by the motherboard / socket standard. An AIO pump module is supposed to be smaller / lighter than an air cooler so was thinking about just leaving the Dark Rock's backplate in place and using it for the new cooler. Seem sensible?

 

[USAFRet]

You need to use the backplate that comes with the cooler or pump.

 

[geofelt]

The main purpose of a backplate is to allow the cooler to be tightened down properly.
Weight of a cooler has little to do with it.

What cpu are you using?
Are you having a cooling issue?
What is the make/model of your case?
What is the current fan arrangement?

Going to an aio if not necessary can open up a long list of issues when compared to a top air cooler.

 

[Raging_Vampire]

The main purpose of a backplate is to allow the cooler to be tightened down properly.
Weight of a cooler has little to do with it.

What cpu are you using?
Are you having a cooling issue?
What is the make/model of your case?
What is the current fan arrangement?

Going to an aio if not necessary can open up a long list of issues when compared to a top air cooler.

Hi!
Using an i5 9600k.
Not having specific cooling issues other than would like to overclock and the cooler is great but not much headway on TDP (95W on processor and cooler capable of 150W).
Case is a Phantek Enthoo Evolv X Glass.
Currently 2 120mm intake fans in front. 1 120mm exhaust fan at rear.

 

[geofelt]

Is this your case?
https://www.phanteks.com/Enthoo-Evolv-X.html
It should have come with two 140mm front intake fans and one 140mm rear exhaust fan.
That is excellent airflow.
It allows for a cpu cooler up to 190mm tall; you can install any air cooler made today.

Noctua maintains an extensive list of cooler suitabilities.
Here is the list for the 9600K:
https://ncc.noctua.at/cpus/model/Intel-Core-i5-9600K-389
The NH-D15 will be the strongest of the lot, but others are equally suitable.
You might prefer the NH-D15s which is a high compatibility version that will clear tall ram and is offset to clear graphics cards on some motherboards.
They are about $90.
You can check motherboard compatibility here:
https://ncc.noctua.at/motherboards

I would avoid aio coolers since they are not necessary in your situation.
The NH-D15/s have about the same cooling capability as a 280 aio cooler.
AIO is still air cooling, the difference is where the heat exchange takes place.
With air, you not only cool the cpu, but the airflow also goes over the motherboard vrm's as well as feeding a top graphics card.
Noctua air will be quieter, easier to install, and will never leak.
Did you know that aio coolers do not last forever? In time air permeated the cooling lines and the cooler must be replaced.

 

[Raging_Vampire]

Is this your case?
https://www.phanteks.com/Enthoo-Evolv-X.html
It should have come with two 140mm front intake fans and one 140mm rear exhaust fan.
That is excellent airflow.
It allows for a cpu cooler up to 190mm tall; you can install any air cooler made today.

Noctua maintains an extensive list of cooler suitabilities.
Here is the list for the 9600K:
https://ncc.noctua.at/cpus/model/Intel-Core-i5-9600K-389
The NH-D15 will be the strongest of the lot, but others are equally suitable.
You might prefer the NH-D15s which is a high compatibility version that will clear tall ram and is offset to clear graphics cards on some motherboards.
They are about $90.
You can check motherboard compatibility here:
https://ncc.noctua.at/motherboards

I would avoid aio coolers since they are not necessary in your situation.
The NH-D15/s have about the same cooling capability as a 280 aio cooler.
AIO is still air cooling, the difference is where the heat exchange takes place.
With air, you not only cool the cpu, but the airflow also goes over the motherboard vrm's as well as feeding a top graphics card.
Noctua air will be quieter, easier to install, and will never leak.
Did you know that aio coolers do not last forever? In time air permeated the cooling lines and the cooler must be replaced.

Hi, Yes that's the case. My mistake on the fan sizes, eyeballed it wrongly.

Yes I did look at a number of air coolers. As you point out, everyone raves about the NH-D15 (couldn't get over the brown colour myself, so I ended up looking at the Dark Rock Pro from Be Quiet) and eventually reached the conclusion that anything big enough to do the job would interfere with the RAM DIMMs. I have some fairly tall modules. Think they're Corsair Vengeance Pro RGB DDR4 modules. Seems like an AIO is a solution as it seems daft to replace RAM for that reason (not to mention expensive). Plenty of head room, and better for some minor overclocking including if I upgrade the processor.

 

[geofelt]

Exactly why I suggested the NH-D15s chromax black:
https://noctua.at/en/nh-d15s-chromax-black/specification
Single fan mode is normal and you can use ram up to 61mm tall.
Your ram is 51mm tall.