Question Peerless Assassin/Phantom Spirit install question

[batou1122]

Hi. I'm looking for some advice on which way to install an asymmetrical CPU cooler (the Phantom Spirit in my case). The design is such that the heat pipes extend further on one side vs the other. My question is, in a standard install, should I install the cooler such that the short end is 'up' for case clearance or 'down' for GPU clearance? Or does it even matter? Gamers Nexus says this is for case clearance at the top, but a video from Thermalright shows the short end oriented toward the GPU. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

-jim

 

[ThatVietGuy]

This is completely dependent on your case and motherboard.

For example, I have a Noctua NH-D15S and I have to put the short side on the top since my case's power supply area (Fractal Torrent Nano) prevents the cooler from being mounted the other way.

If you're working in a regular ATX case it probably doesn't matter which way you mount it, it's just up to aesthetics at that point.

 

[docboy]

Hi. I'm looking for some advice on which way to install an asymmetrical CPU cooler (the Phantom Spirit in my case). The design is such that the heat pipes extend further on one side vs the other. My question is, in a standard install, should I install the cooler such that the short end is 'up' for case clearance or 'down' for GPU clearance? Or does it even matter? Gamers Nexus says this is for case clearance at the top, but a video from Thermalright shows the short end oriented toward the GPU. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

-jim

I'm doing a new build now with an i7-13700k and ordered the Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 (not the SE version). I was initlally confused about the orientation too of the cooler after watching this video:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YFR20MmvpM
(watch starting the 7:00 mark)

After studying the heatsink design, and how it affects RAM clearance and also where the heatsink sits in relation to the GPU, I agree with the video above. Install the cooler so the shorter end is "down" to give extra space between the cooler and the GPU. Not sure how the Phantom Spirit is designed, and it sounds like the PS has a similar design to the PA120, but the PA120 towers are offset. As you noticed the two ends are not symmetrical.

By installing the cooler with the shorter the extra space affords more adequate cooling. Makes a significant difference, per video, in cooling the CPU. Seems like this cooling affects Intel CPUs more so than AMD.