ryzen cpu + cooler master 212 + nzxt h440, need cooling suggestion.

[Peng_1]

Hi, thanks for reading. So long story short I just purchased the following components for a DIY project:

Ryzen 1700x
MSI X370 Carbon
Cooler Master evo 212 (with AM4 kit)
nzxt H440 case

Then I realized that I was having an issue: The 212's AM4 upgrade kit and the stock retention of MSI X370 meant I had to mount the cooler vertically. But the H440 case does not have a good top ventilation unless I purchase a few other fans on the top. So I am kinda stuck here. My question is:

Did I misunderstand anything about the mounting option of 212 + AM4? Does it have to be vertical?

If that is, I would much appreciate any suggestion on the choice of top fans for H440, or even an AIO cooler instead. Since it seems a lot easier to install them at first before the motherboard/cpu go into the case. Thanks 😀

 

[Vic 40]

Did I misunderstand anything about the mounting option of 212 + AM4? Does it have to be vertical?

That seems to be the case yes. You could mount on of the three front fans above the cooler for some extra heat dissipation.See how it does like that. If you're not happy with it could you always think of buying another cooler.This way you can wait until watercoolers will have more compatibility with the new AM4 socket.

 

[MaDDD]

I'm presuming you mean the plastic pieces designed to hold on some CPU coolers, that is stopping you from mounting it horizontally? If so, you can easily remove them.

 

[Vic 40]

Not what he means, the holes of the socket are not placed the same between AM3(+) and AM4 so you cannot just use any AM3 compatibel cooler on the AM4 socket anymore.The coolers that use the "latch" (there are different ones) will be fine,but coolers that use a backplate are in need of a new way of mounting or cannot be used.

 

[MaDDD]

They have/are on about the AM4 upgrade kit for it...

I wouldn't think that they would make an adaptor that allows it to only sit vertically, so I'm guessing that the plastic used for latch type coolers is in the way, if that is the case it's easily unscrewed.

 

[Peng_1]

Not what he means, the holes of the socket are not placed the same between AM3(+) and AM4 so you cannot just use any AM3 compatibel cooler on the AM4 socket anymore.The coolers that use the "latch" (there are different ones) will be fine,but coolers that use a backplate are in need of a new way of mounting or cannot be used.

Yeah that is exactly the problem I had. There are a few other coolers providing a regular upgrade kit with backplate but you have to wait a few weeks to receive them and it is kinda joykilling since I am eager to have it assembled. But I can always remove the top panel before a proper cooler arrives, or I can consider buying another case with better airflow🙁

 

[Vic 40]

They have/are on about the AM4 upgrade kit for it...

I wouldn't think that they would make an adaptor that allows it to only sit vertically .

Well that is what Cooler Master did.

it is kinda joykilling since I am eager to have it assembled. But I can always remove the top panel before a proper cooler arrives, or I can consider buying another case with better airflow🙁

If the ram allows it just try it and as i said could you use one of the front coolers to help push hot air out via the top/side vents.

 

[Peng_1]

Well that is what Cooler Master did.
If the ram allows it just try it and as i said could you use one of the front coolers to help push hot air out via the top/side vents.

Yeah I think cooler master was really in a hurry to release a temporary upgrade kit for AM4 and wait for a permanent update on their backplate/bracket design in future. Kinda sad since an upward blowing solution isn't very common nowadays. Though I noticed that cooler master has several other models, especially T4, having the same "latch" mechanism available for users and it is indeed looking weird.

I briefly tried the case and it seems without some SP fan I could barely feel any air outflow from the top vent. I haven't done any hardcore gaming test but for regular use I think in fact it was doing okay. I also thought of reversing the rear fan into an intake, but then realized I probably should save the trouble at all by returning H440 and exchange it with a bigger case with better airflow. Having an AIO cooler with H440+AM4 seems to be also a good solution but I never tried liquid cooling before and prefer to stay dry at this moment.

I still believe H440 should handle most of the use just fine, but given the weird orientation and uncertainty of when CM will release a permanent fix of cooler installation, it is really not worth of the trouble.

Thanks guys