Noctua NH-D15 installation advice

[iGlitch4CodHD]

Hi, the last PC I built I had a i5-6400 cpu and as u know that comes with a stock fan. My new build is going to have an i7-8700k and I’m going to get a Noctua NH-D15 for it. From what I’ve read the nh-d15 is massive. There’s 4 things I’m scared about. 1) Will my ram fit under it? (I’m going to get Corsair vengeance lpx 16gb 3000mhz). 2) Do I install everything before I put in the nh-d15 or do I install it outside the case or install in the case but before everything else?. 3) When it’s installed will I have enough room to plug in cables? 4) when I put the thermal paste on the cpu, I read that you want to put a small grain of rice, but do I spread it or leave it alone?

In the end I’m going to get the nh-d15, it’s just that I would love some installation device. Btw here’s my build:

Was wondering if everything works together

Monitor: Acer Predator XB271HU 27" WQHD (2560x1440) NVIDIA G-SYNC IPS Monitor, 144/165Hz

Case: Phanteks Pro M

Cpu: Intel Core i7-8700K

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti SC2

Mobo: ASUS PRIME Z370-A LGA1151

RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB 3000MHz C15

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15

SSD: Samsung 860 EVO 250GB (from my old pc)

Hard Drive: WD Blue 1TB SATA 6 Gb/s 7200 RPM (from my old pc)

 

[COLGeek]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from iGlitch4CodHD : "Scared of installing Noctua NH-D15"

Hi, the last PC I built I had a i5-6400 cpu and as u know that comes with a stock fan. My new build is going to have an i7-8700k and I’m going to get a Noctua NH-D15 for it. From what I’ve read the nh-d15 is massive. There’s 4 things I’m scared about. 1) Will my ram fit under it? (I’m going to get Corsair vengeance lpx 16gb 3000mhz). 2) Do I install everything before I put in the nh-d15 or do I install it outside the case or install in the case but before everything else?. 3) When it’s installed will I have enough room to plug in cables? 4) when I put the thermal paste on the cpu, I read that you want to put a small grain of rice, but do I spread it or leave it alone?

In the end I’m going to get the nh-d15, it’s just that I would love some installation device. Btw here’s my build:

Was wondering if everything works together

Monitor: Acer Predator XB271HU 27" WQHD (2560x1440) NVIDIA G-SYNC IPS Monitor, 144/165Hz

Case: Phanteks Pro M

Cpu: Intel Core i7-8700K

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti SC2

Mobo: ASUS PRIME Z370-A LGA1151

RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB 3000MHz C15

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15

SSD: Samsung 860 EVO 250GB (from my old pc)

Hard Drive: WD Blue 1TB SATA 6 Gb/s 7200 RPM (from my old pc)

 

[jankerson]

The easiest way to do it is to install the mount outside the case before you put in the MB.

Then once everything is connected install the heatsink and fans.

Yes the ram will be fine clearance wise.

Just put a pea sized amount on the cpu and mount the heatsink, no need to spread it.