Question Noctua NH-D15 offset mounting feature ?

Kalik212 · 2024-08-17T05:37:32-0400

I plan on building a new system with the 7800X3D and ASUS TUF Gaming X670E-Plus WiFi motherboard...I plan to use the Noctua DH-15 air cooler (not the new G2 version but the older model)...I want to be able to use the offset mounting feature where it shifts it slightly down off-center to better cool the CCD

but my concern is would that effect the M.2 slot or main GPU slot?...I want to use the Samsung 990 Pro with included heatsink along with the ASUS TUF Gaming 4080 Super...anyone use the DH-15 offset with this board and an NVMe with heatsink in the 1st M.2 slot and a beefy Nvidia GPU in the main GPU slot?...any issues with clearance?...I attached a pic of the Asus motherboard so you can get a better picture of the layout...

Phaaze88 · 2024-08-17T07:45:44-0400

NH-D15S. Better cooler overall. The original is inferior, save for cooling potential, and that's not by a lot.

The M.2 slot above the primary x16 has just been a poor implementation; next to no access to fresh air, and the gpu just heats it up.

Kalik212 · 2024-08-17T08:51:05-0400

but as far as the offset mounting, will there be any issues as far as clearance either with the M.2 drive or GPU?

Phaaze88 · 2024-08-17T09:02:25-0400

Kalik212 said:
but as far as the offset mounting, will there be any issues as far as clearance either with the M.2 drive or GPU?

You won't be able to access the M.2 slot without removing the cooler, which may or may not be a big deal to you, and you'll have to live with small gaps of wiggle room in the millimeters.

COLGeek · 2024-08-17T09:52:00-0400

Forget offsetting, that really isn't an option for that cooler as @Phaaze88 points out.

Assuming you have decent airflow with the rest of your system, you should be okay.

geofelt · 2024-08-17T10:05:41-0400

The NH-D15s is naturally offset to clear pcie slots that may be located too close to the cpu.
It also has higher ram clearance vs. the 32,, for the NH-D15
Look at the specs diagram for each on the noctua site.

Kalik212 · 2024-08-17T16:03:00-0400

Phaaze88 said:
You won't be able to access the M.2 slot without removing the cooler, which may or may not be a big deal to you, and you'll have to live with small gaps of wiggle room in the millimeters.

COLGeek said:
Forget offsetting, that really isn't an option for that cooler as @Phaaze88 points out.

Assuming you have decent airflow with the rest of your system, you should be okay.

with the cooler in the offset position, if I remove the GPU first will I then be able to access the M.2?

what about with the cooler in the standard (non-offset) position?...will there be any issues accessing the M.2 slot in the future if I want to install a new SSD?...or is it a problem with both mounting positions?

COLGeek · 2024-08-17T16:59:20-0400

I stand corrected, there is an offset mounting option for AM5 motherboards:

https://noctua.at/en/nh-d15

You are just going to have to try it in your build to see how it may/may not interfere with the motherboard components or GPU. Looks like it moves the cooler 7mm.

I would install the SSD before installing the cooler. How often do you plan to remove it?

Kalik212 · 2024-08-17T17:59:49-0400

I forgot that I'm using a Samsung 990 Pro which is a PCIe 4.0 SSD so I don't need to use that top M.2 slot at the top of the board...I can use the one at the bottom of the board (which is PCIe 4.0 only)...the top M.2 is PCIe 5.0 compatible

I'm assuming I can use the bottom M.2 slot without any issues as far as performance?

that would eliminate any issues with the top M.2 slot as far as it being tough to reach or install/uninstall a new SSD...I asked earlier but if I use the top M.2 slot (above the GPU), can I easily install/uninstall that SSD just by removing the GPU?...or do I also have to remove the CPU cooler as well?

COLGeek · 2024-08-17T18:16:30-0400

Kalik212 said:
I forgot that I'm using a Samsung 990 Pro which is a PCIe 4.0 SSD so I don't need to use that top M.2 slot at the top of the board...I can use the one at the bottom of the board (which is PCIe 4.0 only)...the top M.2 is PCIe 5.0 compatible

I'm assuming I can use the bottom M.2 slot without any issues as far as performance?

that would eliminate any issues with the top M.2 slot as far as it being tough to reach or install/uninstall a new SSD...I asked earlier but if I use the top M.2 slot (above the GPU), can I easily install/uninstall that SSD just by removing the GPU?...or do I also have to remove the CPU cooler as well?

Use the m.2 socket closest to the CPU, for best performance (lanes thing). You should be able to remove the SSD without removing the cooler I would think (only the GPU).

It just may a little awkward.

Kalik212 · 2024-08-17T18:44:45-0400

COLGeek said:
Use the m.2 socket closest to the CPU, for best performance (lanes thing). You should be able to remove the SSD without removing the cooler I would think (only the GPU).

It just may a little awkward.

according to my motherboard manual it says the 3rd M.2 slot is using the CPU (along with the main M.2 slot above the GPU)...the other ones are using the chipset

is the one closest to the CPU still the best one to use in terms of performance?

COLGeek · 2024-08-17T20:19:47-0400

Yes. That is one between the GPU slot and CPU.

Phaaze88 · 2024-08-18T02:46:27-0400

Kalik212 said:
I'm assuming I can use the bottom M.2 slot without any issues as far as performance?

Unless you are moving very large packets of data between multiple M.2s, you won't even notice; the limitation isn't the bandwidth in that case.

COLGeek said:
Use the m.2 socket closest to the CPU, for best performance (lanes thing).

I would argue that this is negligible, as said socket is going to see the memory controller on the drive throttle more frequently. The controllers on Gen 4 and 5 drives run hotter, necessitating more active cooling, something Gen 3s didn't have a problem with.

Kalik212 said:
with the cooler in the offset position, if I remove the GPU first will I then be able to access the M.2?

No. Gotta use a screwdriver to access the screws securing the drive's heatsink.

Kalik212 · 2024-08-18T03:38:59-0400

Phaaze88 said:
No. Gotta use a screwdriver to access the screws securing the drive's heatsink.

the ASUS TUF GAMING X670E-PLUS WiFi doesn't use the typical screw to secure the NVMe...it has one of those new latch mechanisms that you turn to secure it...plus I'm not using the motherboard heatsink...I bought the 990 Pro that comes with its own heatsink

so you're saying it's fine if I use the 3rd M.2 slot on my motherboard that uses the CPU lanes and I won't notice any difference in regards to performance, compatibility etc?

Phaaze88 · 2024-08-18T04:05:19-0400

Kalik212 said:
the ASUS TUF GAMING X670E-PLUS WiFi doesn't use the typical screw to secure the NVMe...it has one of those new latch mechanisms that you turn to secure it...plus I'm not using the motherboard heatsink...I bought the 990 Pro that comes with its own heatsink

so you're saying it's fine if I use the 3rd M.2 slot on my motherboard that uses the CPU lanes and I won't notice any difference in regards to performance, compatibility etc?

You still have to twist/untwist a screw - that's most likely a Phillips head to keep the drive in place.

Are you doing anything that requires moving massive chunks of data from one M.2 to others?
That's where they shine. If not, all that advertised, blazing fast speed doesn't amount to much more over what SATA type SSDs can already do... well, at least it doesn't require cables.

The drive is a type 2280, and all slots support 2280s.

Kalik212 · 2024-08-18T04:24:32-0400

Phaaze88 said:
You still have to twist/untwist a screw - that's most likely a Phillips head to keep the drive in place

I don't think there's any screw you need to use a screwdriver for...it's a latch you turn...I timestamped a YouTube video which shows exactly what I mean (I'm also using the 990 Pro with its own heatsink so I don't need to screw the motherboard heatsink cover back on)

so I'm guessing I can do that just by removing the GPU?...without any need to remove the massive Noctua CPU cooler

View: https://youtu.be/KWkct6036dc?t=97

Phaaze88 · 2024-08-18T04:40:26-0400

Kalik212 said:
I don't think there's any screw you need to use a screwdriver for...it's a latch you turn...I timestamped a YouTube video which shows exactly what I mean (I'm also using the 990 Pro with its own heatsink so I don't need to screw the motherboard heatsink cover back on)

Ok. I see now. You're right.

Kalik212 said:
so I'm guessing I can do that just by removing the GPU?...without any need to remove the massive Noctua CPU cooler

https://fr.pcpartpicker.com/builds/#h=30543,261910,98234&s=41&page=1
I looked at several of the completed builds listed - ones that specifically had the D15 and mobos with an M.2 above the x16, and... the cooler looks like it has to come up.

Kalik212 · 2024-08-18T04:55:53-0400

Phaaze88 said:
https://fr.pcpartpicker.com/builds/#h=30543,261910,98234&s=41&page=1
I looked at several of the completed builds listed - ones that specifically had the D15 and mobos with an M.2 above the x16, and... the cooler looks like it has to come up.

I don't understand...the cooler has to come off?...after removing the GPU, isn't there enough space to remove the NVMe and turn that latch?...the CPU heatsink and fans are raised up, so isn't there enough space once the GPU is not there to install/uninstall the NVMe in that top slot (once I unplug everything and turn the case to its side)?

Phaaze88 · 2024-08-18T05:07:32-0400

That looks like a tight fit, and I've cut my fingers on this heatsink before.

Question Noctua NH-D15 offset mounting feature ?

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