[SOLVED] CPU Cooling Compatibility for my Rig.

[Temlaa]

Hello Friends!

I am deciding for a CPU Cooler between, Dark Rock Pro 4 and Noctua NH-D15/NH-D15S.

My concern which is better and which has compatibility with my rig's clearance space.

My Rig:
Gigabyte Aorus x570 Pro Wifi
Ryzen 5 3600x
G.Skill Sniper X (slot 2 and 4) 2x 8GB (F4-3600C19-8GSXWB)
CoolerMaster MB511 RGB Casing
MSI RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[PC Tailor]

Welcome to the forums my friend!

The MB511 RGB states that it has a CPU cooler clearance of 165mm. So theoretically anything below this should be fine, as I will assume this takes into account mounthing onto the motherboard.

CLEARANCE - CPU COOLER165mm
https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/cases/mid-tower/masterbox-mb511-rgb/#Specifications

and the heights are as follows:

Dark Rock Pro 4	without mounting material: 162.8 mm
NH-D15	with fan: 165mm
NH-D15S	with fan: 160mm

Now the only problem is those CPU cooler sizes do not consider mounting.

As for which is better, you'll probably find little difference between the NH D15 and Dark Rock, very similar, the reports I see tend to see the Noctua maybe a degree or 2 cooler, and slightly quieter, but it's negligible in many cases, you can see a simple off-the-cuff kind of comparison here:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Yd-P_b4dc

 

[Temlaa]

What about the clearance for ram? I heard both is huge enough to block rams?

And since there is little difference, i should get the NH-D15 since the price is for me $99 as compared to DR Pro 4 is $124. (Buying from newegg, shipped to singapore)

 

[PC Tailor]

Noctua do a pretty good depiction of it here:

https://imgur.com/a/DHhBgPg

View: https://imgur.com/a/DHhBgPg

NOCTUA NH-D15:
The front fins of the NH-D15 generally protrude over the RAM slots. Due to the recessed lower fins, it is still possible to use RAM modules with up to 65mm height in single fan mode. In dual fan mode, the front fan will sit above the RAM slots as well. In this case, Noctua recommends using standard height RAM (up to 32mm). However, in chassis with more than 165mm CPU cooler clearance, the front fan can be moved upwards to make room for memory modules taller than 32mm (e.g. moving the fan 5mm up will increase the total height from 165 to 170mm and make room for 37mm tall modules).

I tried to lookup the size of the RAM, but for some reason can't seem to find them.

 

[Temlaa]

Oh i found it in FAQ for G.skill website. I guess my Ram is 11mm bigger than the clearance 🙁

The height of the memory modules are listed as follows:

DDR4 Memory Series
Fortis: 31.2 mm (1.2in)
Aegis DDR4: 31.2 mm (1.2in)
Flare X: 40mm (1.58in)
Ripjaws 4: 40mm (1.58in)
Ripjaws V: 42mm (1.65in)
Sniper X: 43mm (1.69in)
Trident Z: 44mm (1.73in)
Trident Z Neo: 44mm (1.73in)
Trident Z RGB: 44mm (1.73in)
Trident Z Royal: 44mm (1.73in)
Trident Z RGB DC: 59mm (2.32in)

DDR3 Memory Series
Aegis DDR3: 31.2 mm (1.2in)
ARES: 33mm (1.30in)
ECO: 32mm (1.26in)
RipjawsX: 40mm (1.58in)
RipjawsZ: 40mm (1.58in)
Ripjaws: 40mm (1.58in)
Sniper: 42mm (1.65in)
TridentX: 54mm (2.13in) with fin; 39mm (1.54in) without fin

 

[PC Tailor]

At 43mm the RAM clearance may be difficult in dual fan mode depending on fan placement. If not you'd be fine as it has 64mm clearance. But dual fan, is more difficult.

Do you currently already have the rest of the system?

 

[Temlaa]

Yes i have a full rig.

My Specs:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600x 3.8Ghz
Motherboard: GIGABYTE Aorus X570 Pro Wifi
GPU: MSI RTX2070 Super Gaming X Trio
RAM: G.Skill Sniper X 3600Mhz 16Gb (2x 8Gb) (Fitted on slot 2 and 4)
(F4-3600C19D-16GSXWB) CL19-20-20-40 (Manufactured by SK Hynix)
PSU: ThermalTake Toughpower Grand RGB 850W 80+ Gold
Casing: CoolerMaster MB511 RGB
Storage:

1. Samsung SSD 970 Evo 500GB (New)
2. Samsung SSD 850 Pro 512GB (Old)
3. WD4005FZBX-00K5WB0 4TB (New)
4. WD1002FAEX-00Y9A0 1TB (Old)

Operating System: Windows 10 64bit Pro
Bios Version: F2 - AMD AGESA Combo-AM4 1.0.0.3 (From box)
XMP activated for 3600Mhz
Chipset/Firmware/Driver:

1. Motherboard installation as of 14 July 2019
2. Nvidia 431.60

 

[PC Tailor]

It's just my view, but when you're talking finer margins, I believe the best way to confirm is to have the parts in front of you and measure it yourself.

I can make many deductions using the tolerances from a spec sheet, but with the noctua diagram I've linked above, you may be able to check yourself if you already have the rest of the system

As I said, the S version is made with RAM clearance in mind, so I suspect you won't have an issue there, it's just down to fan placement for the larger version.

 

[Temlaa]

Alright, I will try to measure my system and see which is the best fit for it!

Thank you so much for your help!