RAM clearance issue. Interested in buying Noctua NH-D15

[Akr706]

I built a PC 2-3 weeks ago with a i7-4790k. But temps go upto 82C while playing games like Assassin Creed Unity with stock cooler. So I am now thinking to get a cpu cooler and I really like the performance of Noctua NH-D15 as far as I have seen in its reviews. Now my mobo is MSI H81M-P33 and I am using 2x Corsair Vengeance 8GB on it.

So will it be possible to install D15 on my system? Case has clearance upto 171mm for cpu coolers.

EDIT- Already using a GTX 970 Gaming 4G. So another issue.

 

[martinch]

So will it be possible to install D15 on my system? Case has clearance upto 171mm for cpu coolers.

The D15 is 165mm tall, so it will fit. It has 32mm of clearance under the fan nearest the RAM sockets. I would suggest this is a bit "dicey", clearance-wise, as Vengeance RAM is quite tall, and it'll foul the upper PCI-E slot according to Noctua. Both the U12S and U14S are slimline, and will adequately cool your CPU - I have a U12S on my i7-4790K (not over-clocked), and it never tops 60C - the cooler doesn't overshadow the RAM sockets (although the U14S is 7mm wider, and fouls the PCI-E slot, so needs turn 90 degrees).

 

[Samat]

You can't use the first PCIE slot on your MB with Noctua NH-D15. Noctua NH-D15S is fully compatible, you need to buy a second fan for it if you want to run it with two though since it only comes with one. Otherwise it's basicly the same cooler with better compatibilty.

 

[nomadicwarrior]

Or you buy some lower profile RAM sticks instead

 

[Akr706]

The D15 is 165mm tall, so it will fit. It has 32mm of clearance under the fan nearest the RAM sockets. I would suggest this is a bit "dicey", clearance-wise, as Vengeance RAM is quite tall, and it'll foul the upper PCI-E slot according to Noctua. Both the U12S and U14S are slimline, and will adequately cool your CPU - I have a U12S on my i7-4790K (not over-clocked), and it never tops 60C - the cooler doesn't overshadow the RAM sockets (although the U14S is 7mm wider, and fouls the PCI-E slot, so needs turn 90 degrees).

You can't use the first PCIE slot on your MB with Noctua NH-D15. Noctua NH-D15S is fully compatible, you need to buy a seconed cooler for it if you want to run it with two though since it only comes with one. Otherwise it's basicly the same cooler with better compatibilty.

Oh damn, another issue then. I am already using the PCIE slot with a GTX 970. Can I install it in single fan mode?

 

[Karadjgne]

Use a nh-d14 instead. It's basically the same cooler as a d15 but an older model and uses a 120mm Fan in front vrs the 140mm of the d15. If ram clearance is still an issue because of very tall heatsinks, there are 3 options with a d14. If available, simply remove the heatsink tops. Move ram to slots #2/4 instead of #1/3 (recommended usage anyways) or the easiest fix is to raise the fan. With the metal clips Noctua uses for attachment this is very easy to do.

Considering you can't OC your cpu, so max speeds will be turbo settings, even a good budget cooler or slightly larger will offer much better temps, the d15 is honestly overkill on a stock cpu, even the 4790k. Cryorig H7, H5, Raijintek Themis / v2, Ereboss, even a cm hyper212 EVO would be a much cheaper set of alternatives than a d15.

If you are still determined to spend @$100 for a cooler, you could also look at clc's. The Corsair H90, h80i, h80i-gtx, even a h100i, none of which will present any sound issues as some claim because the cooling potential of those coolers is so far beyond the TDP of the stock 4790k, even stress testing won't get the fans to max. My 3770k sitting at 4.3 with an nzxt Kraken x61 only sees 63° under prime95 v26.6 small fft with fans at 60%. Could drop another 3-5°C pushing fans to 100% but not honestly worth the hassle.