Will a low profile Noctua NH-L9i keep an i5-6600k cool in a mini itx build?

reasonAB

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Nov 27, 2015
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Hello, I have a question and would appreciate a solution. I'm planning on building my first HTPC using
Case:
ML08
Processor
Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GH
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-Z170N Mini ITX LGA1151
PSU
SST-ST30SF 300W
Storage
SSD 500GB

The estimated total wattage with all my components is 150W. I do not plan to install a GPU until upgrading my PSU. My principle concern is whether a low profile Noctua NH-L9i CPU fan will be able to keep sustainable temperatures when the PC will only be used a few hours a day. CPU will ~85% of the time run at stock speeds and rarely be overclocked, however I do like having the option to which is why I decided on this processor. Just want to make sure I can keep it cool enough with a low profile fan because the ML08 is a rather compact case. From researching the NH-L9i it has 2 fan RPM modes, one for Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.) CPUs with wattage under 65W - 1800RPM (would not use), and another at 2500RPM. Hoping the latter will work, but now having second thoughts because I already ordered a majority of my components.

Thank you for your help.
 
The i5-6600k TDP is 91Watt (without overclocking). According noctua this cooler is only recommanded for your CPU with very good air flow in the case. Because of your small case, I would not really recommand it.
 


Thank you for the reply and suggestion. I looked up the manual for the case and found that there is a 58mm height limitation for the CPU cooler. Cooler can protrude 15mm over the motherboard's top edge and the clearance toward the front of the chassis is 4mm.

I will do some measuring on the case itself (just picked it up at local microcenter) and see if there is a way to work around the dustfilter and vents but as of now I'm not feeling too hopeful.

 
The AR06 of Silverstone Technologies could also be another option it is 105x95mm and has a height of 58mm. But it would be a Problem if the top of the fan is covered by the case, there should be some space for air flow. Nevertheless, you could disable Turbo mode of the CPU or lower the clock Speed, if heat would be a Problem.
 
The reason that laptops are so much slower than desktops is that they underclock and undervolt the CPU and the GPU.
This, especially the low Vcore voltage, dramatically reduces the heat, so that the laptop does not melt.
The bigger your CPU cooler, the more Vcore you can use, and the faster you can go. Same with memory and GPU
So... you can either go small and slow, or big and fast.
The amount that you can overclock, or are forced to underclock, your CPU depends on your airflow.
It also depends on the silicon lottery. Some chips go very fast at low voltages, running fairly cool, and some..... don't
Hope this helps
 
It is a really tough call with the 37mm tall NH-L9i giving me just around 22mm of space above for air movement. The AR06 is a really good idea, though like you said, it is going to prevent airflow across the board with only a milometer or so from the case vents. The AR06 is certainly capable of handling the wattage on the CPU.

Got my fingers crossed that my CPU is faster than average at lower voltages.

UPDATE: Considering a Zalman CNPS8900 after finding a similar build design that according to the author was OCed. Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/b/mcD8TW