Help with picking a CPU Fan. My ram is too tall!!!

[curtisshim]

Hello. My current setup that is worth noting for a cpu fan is
Case: HAF 922
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H
Ram: GSkill Snipers 4GB x 4 sticks
Graphics Card: XFX Double D FX-797A-TDBC Radeon HD 7970 Black Edition
Processor: I5 3570k Ivy Bridge

Right now the stock fan runs the cpu idle around 45ish degrees and at max load around 65-70 degrees, and I am looking to buy a nice CPU fan. But while doing research ive been noticing that most high end cpu fans require low profile RAM stick (<40mm). Right now my GSKILL Snipers are at 42mm and i was wondering if anyone had any idea if i could fit any of these 3 cpu fans in my case.

ZALMAN CNPS12X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118097

Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709011

Noctua NH-D14 SE2011
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608024

I am mostly looking at air fans but if there are any good recommendations on safe liquid cooling or any other air fans that would be awesome. But for now i would like to know if my GSKILL snipers on my gigabyte motherboard could fit any of these three listed cpu fans. And like i said before, if there are better options for me out there, more bang for my buck, it would be awesome if you could direct me there hopefully with a short description why.

 

[ksham]

1. Remove a minimum of one DIMM of RAM. If you're overclocking, maxing out your slots is not the best idea.

2. The G.Skill RAM aren't tall. If you're not doing high overclock, a small Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO will do. Otherwise, the Phanteks and Noctua will be fine.

 

[curtisshim]

I was hoping to overclock my CPU. So if i were to overclock anyway, maxing out my slots would be a horrible idea even with a nice cpu fan?

 

[ksham]

I think you misread my first point. If you are overclocking, maxing out your RAM slot is not the best idea. It's not a horrible idea, just not preferred. It increases load so you'll have to up the vcore to better accommodate them. And it'll give you a harder time at overclocking. Unless you know what you're doing, in which case, don't mind me. 😉

 

[curtisshim]

haha. yea, i'm not an experienced overclocker at all. but besides the overclocking, will any of these fans fit with all 4 ram slots being used? or is a removal of 1 ram slot going to be needed in all cases?

 

[ksham]

The ones that I named will fit regardless of how many DIMMs you put in. I've never used the Zalman one so I cannot say for certain.

But I would advice you to put in the cooler first and then the RAM. So remove all DIMMs, install the cooler, and re-install the RAM modules.

 

[curtisshim]

thanks!