• Happy holidays, folks! Thanks to each and every one of you for being part of the Tom's Hardware community!

Question What if my cooler isn't compatible with my motherboard?

Nov 28, 2022
6
0
20
Thermaltake toughair 510 and gigabyte z690 gaming x, some sites say that these are incompatible, what should i do?
 
So, does motherboard and coolerCPU compatibility depend solely on the CPUsocket and CPUcooler compatibility?

CPU cooler compatibility depends on:
  • CPU socket on MoBo
  • air coolers - CPU heatsink height (defined by PC case CPU cooler clearance)
  • air coolers - CPU heatsink/fan overhang over RAM slots (either can't use tall RAM or have to move the fan on heatsink)
  • AIOs - tubing length (more of an issue in full- and super-tower cases)
  • AIOs - radiator size (not all PC cases can fit e.g 280/360/420mm rad)

Since you didn't ask from us to check RAM compatibility and PC case CPU cooler compatibility, but only if that specific CPU cooler can be mounted on that MoBo, hence the answer as well.

Thermaltake Toughair 510 does not overhang RAM slots, but it is 159.5mm tall, whereby your PC case CPU cooler clearance must be at least 160mm or greater, when using that CPU cooler.