Looking for the best air cooler that can fit in a case with 165mm clearance and 43.5mm tall RAM

Anusha · Jul 11, 2014

My current case is the Raven RV03 which has 163mm clearance for heatsinks but I know the Silver Arrow SB-E fits in it as I have had that before, because the window is actually protruded.

And I am hoping to move to a Sugo SG10 soon which has 165mm clearance for heatsinks.

I was looking at single tower coolers such as the Phanteks PH-TC12DX and Noctua NH-U12S/14s and the likes. Also it seems the NH-D14 with a pull pull arrangement would fit as well.

The Phanteks doesn't seem to perform really well in a lot of reviews.

The Noctua U14S has a vastly varying results. Sometimes as good as the NH-D14, sometimes quite terrible. and it is also fat as the NH-D15 which might cause the first PCI-E slot to be unusable on a Micro ATX mobo (like I said, I want to move to a Sugo SG10 case). I'm dropping the NH-D15 due to size.

NH-D14 might fit under the RAM, as it says it can clear up to 44mm RAM height, and my current RAM is 43.5mm as per spec sheet.

Deepcool Gamer Storm Assassin seems to be a great cooler too. But it won't fit my current RAM. The max clearance is 43.2mm and that's with pull pull.

The Silver Arrow IB-E would have been great with my current setup as you can use pull-pull fans adn the heatsink won't touch the RAM, but it won't fit in the SG10 because it goes beyond the edge of the motherboard because of the asymmetrical design. So sad!

However, I don't HAVE TO get only the Sugo SG10. If there are any case that's that compact, then I would like to explore those options as well.

Any suggestions? This is to cool a Haswell 4790K btw.

Dyaems · Jul 11, 2014

Which mATX motherboard are you going to use? I think providing the motherboard may help you with some users calculate the clearance.

I think your safest bet would be a U12S, Thermalright HR02/HR22 fits with RAM clearance, but it may not be better than a U12S. This is only assuming that wide coolers don't really fit at all and it will hit the first pcie slot, like True Spirit 140 Power, U14S, etc..

You may also want to buy a lower-profile RAM to give you alot more choices which heatsink to use, and sell the ADATA RAM you got

Anusha · Jul 11, 2014

I cannot find any decent RAM with a reasonable price down here so I guess I will have to stick with what I have.

I'm looking at the Z97M OC Formula board. According to the Noctua compatibility page, they say that the U14S supports this board (actually one of very few boards that do) with a slight risk of touching some protruding components of the video card. But if it comes down to that, I would go with a mini ITX board which - weirdly enough - most of them seem to work fine with this cooler.

Dyaems · Jul 11, 2014

Oops, I thought Z87, sorry.

Oh, I have the same board

Although I never used a U14s for it, I once installed a Deepcool Lucifer (140mm Width, U14S has 150mm Width) and it has ~15mm (maybe 10mm) clearance between the graphics card and the heatsink. So the heatsink will be very close, or it will hit the graphics card, if you install a U14S on that motherboard.

As for the ITX board, just stay away with a board where the CPU socket is near the PCIE slot, like all of the MSI ITX boards. I also think ASUS ITX boards with daughterboards (Maximus VI Impact, for example) will hit the heatsink of the U14S too.

Anusha · Jul 11, 2014

I checked the dimensions. It seems the NH-D15 has the same width as the NH-U14S. I can actually used the NH-D15 instead and use it as pull-pull or in single fan mode for for better performance, right?

Dyaems · Jul 11, 2014

That is correct. But as for the difference in temps, that I am not sure about it but the D15 is most likely better.

Anyways, I found an old pic of mine where the Lucifer (140mm width) is installed on a Z87M OC Formula.

And this is the D14 (140mm width) inside an SG10 which looks like the same clearance distance from the OC Formula M. I think the motherboard is an MVGene.

Both pics are not directly pictured from the top of the heatsink though, but you can estimate the clearance between a 140mm width heatsink and the back of the graphics card.

Anusha · Jul 11, 2014

Yes but difference boards place the socket differently. The M6G for example doesn't support the D15 or U14S. ASRock seems to have shifted the socket a bit towards the top.

Dyaems · Jul 11, 2014

Found a D15 pic on a Z87M OC Formula

Based on the pic, it looks to me that the D15 fully covers the first PCIE slot of the Z87m OC Formula, sadly. The Z87 version should probably the same CPU socket to PCIE distance to a Z97m OC Formula

Heres the rest of the pic (review, non-english): http://www.radeon3d.org/forum/thread-3639-post-73917.html#pid73917

Anusha · Jul 11, 2014

Doesn't look like that's the case. The newer model's socket is placed slightly better.

Noctua says the z87m OCF isn't supported but the Z97m OCF is. =]

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_gen&products_id=68&lng=en#LGA1150_ASRock

doyll · Jul 11, 2014

Here's the best coolers' sizes and clearances. Add 5mm to RAM clearance to know physical RAM height dimension.

163mm (CPU clearance) + 8mm = 171mm (motherboard to side cover)
RAM height + 3mm (socket height) + 120mm or 140m (fan size) = motherboard to side cover.

Code:

Code:

Cooler size comparison 
(Width x Depth x Height looking from front of case with motherboard laying flat)

    Cooler       Heatpipes     Size W/O Fans                Fans               RAM Clearance*   CPU to Frt**   CPU to PCI-E**
Akasa Medusa    8x 6mm OD  144  x  129.5 x 163mm        140mm & 120mm PWM fans     49.6mm          64.3mm
Cryorig R1 Ult  7x 6mm OD  140  x  142.4 x 165.3mm      XF140(140x25) fans         40mm            40mm *2*
Cryorig R1 Uni  7x 6mm OD  140  x  130  x  165.3mm      SF140(25mm) & XT140(13mm)  40mm            35.5mm *2*
K2 / Assassin   8x 6mm OD  140  x  128  x  158mm        120mm & 140mm PWM fans     43.2mM          64mm
Dark Rock Pro 2 7x 6mm OD  124  x  122  x  166mm        120mm & 135mm PWM fans     44.5mm
Dark Rock Pro 3 7x 6mm OD  133  x  123  x  163mm        120mm & 135mm PWM fans     39mm
NH-D14          6x 6mm OD  140  x  130  x  160mm        120mm & 140mm fans         44mm            62mm
NH-U14S         6x 6mm OD  150  x   52  x  165mm        + fans                     41mm            26mm
NH-D15          6x 6mm OD  150  x  136  x  165mm        2x 140mm fans               *1*            67.5mm
PH-TC14PE       5x 8mm OD  140  x  159  x  160mm        2x 140mm fans, PWM adaptor 40-45mm         72mm
Megahalem       6x 6mm OD  130  x   74  x  158.7mm      + fans                     34.45mm         37MM
SS HE01         6x 6mm OD  140  x  119  x  160mm        1x 140x38mm PWM fan        42mm            47.5MM *2*
Archon SB-E     8x 6mm OD  155  x   53.6 x 170.2mm      + fanS                     37.35mm         26.8mm
Silver Arrow    4x 8mm OD  147  x  123  x  163mm        2x 140mm Fans              40.87mm         61.4mm
SA SB-E         8x 6mm OD  155  x  105  x  164mm        mid 150mm/frt 140mm PWM    31.9/39/46mm*3* 51mm
SA SB-E Extreme 8x 6mm OD  155  x  105  x  164mm        mid 140mm/frt 140mm PWM    31.9/39/46mm*3* 51mm
SA IB-E         8x 6mm OD  154.6 x 103  x  164mm***     2x 140mm 1300rpm fans      41.95mm         51.5mm       67.8mm
SA IB-E Extreme 8x 6mm OD  154.6 x 103  x  164mm***     2x 140mm 2500rpm fans      41.95mm         51.5mm       67.8mm
TRUE Sp140Power 6x 8mm OD  155  x   53.4 x 170mm        + fan                      44.3mm          26.5mm
HR-22           8x 6mm OD  150  x  120  x  159mm        + fan                      36mm

* cooler base to bottom fin. (add 8mm for motherboard to bottom fin.)
** center of CPU to PCI-E slot W/ fan or front of cooler W/O fan
*** base is off-center 9.5mm for better PCI-E slot clearance
*1* recessed lower fins, the NH-D15 provide 64mm RAM clearance
*2* offest back for better RAM clearance
*3* fins are at 3 different levels

I have drawings with measurements of most of these if needed.

Anusha · Jul 11, 2014

@doyll
Quote:

Add 5mm to RAM clearance to know physical RAM height dimension.

Does this mean, if the cooler's RAM clearance is 40mm, my RAM can be 35mm tall or 45mm tall?

doyll · Jul 11, 2014

Quote:

Add 5mm to RAM clearance to know physical RAM height dimension

5mm + 40mm RAM clearance = 45mm physical RAM measurement.

Case and cooler specs are distance from CPU to top of cooler / side of case.
RAM clearance spec is distance from CPU to bottom of fin pack.

A few coolers are offset back to give better RAM clearance like Cryorig R1, Thermalright HR-22 and Silverstone HE01.

Thermalright Silver Arrow IB-E is offset to the right for better PCIe socket clearance.

Anusha · Jul 11, 2014

The Cryorig R1is too tall to fit in the Silverstone SG10, right? The case has clearance for 165mm cooler. That cooler is about 165.3mm meaning slightly too tall?

RnRollie · Jul 11, 2014

dare to be different... get a Coolermaster Gemini TopDown cooler

doyll · Jul 11, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anusha

The Cryorig R1is too tall to fit in the Silverstone SG10, right? The case has clearance for 165mm cooler. That cooler is about 165.3mm meaning slightly too tall?

It will probably fit. Case specs are often 2-5mm less than case actually has, but without actually measuring we don't know. R1 is as good as they get.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnRollie

dare to be different... get a Coolermaster Gemini TopDown cooler

First of itt's is definitely not a top tier cooler .
Second tp down coolers are a fustercluck .. just like most GPU coolers.

Very hard to keep their heated exhaust from mixing with cool intake air feeding cooler. I've found down flow cooler intake air temp to be 7c warmer than surrounding air .. even on a test bench.

Fan pushes air down to motherboard where it turns away from CPU, hits RAM, graphics card, I/O housings, etc. turning it up along side of cooler, up past fan .. which sucks it back into cooler. Just turning the fan to pull instead of push usually lowers not only CPU temp, but also other components on motherboard.

chartiet · Jul 11, 2014

Perhaps consider a Thermaltake NiC C5 (CLP0608) 120mm Untouchable CPU Cooler that's 160mm tall and offers a personally verified temp diff of 6 deg lower than a 212+ (rated up to ~175w while the TT C5 is rated for 230w). Also, it wont interfere with most RAM.

RnRollie · Jul 11, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by doyll

--snip---
First of itt's is definitely not a top tier cooler .
Second tp down coolers are a fustercluck .. just like most GPU coolers.

Very hard to keep their heated exhaust from mixing with cool intake air feeding cooler. I've found down flow cooler intake air temp to be 7c warmer than surrounding air .. even on a test bench.

Fan pushes air down to motherboard where it turns away from CPU, hits RAM, graphics card, I/O housings, etc. turning it up along side of cooler, up past fan .. which sucks it back into cooler. Just turning the fan to pull instead of push usually lowers not only CPU temp, but also other components on motherboard.

True

But you should use these with a shroud so they take outside "cool" air

Strangely enough there used to be a series of coolermaster cases where the side panel vents lined up perfectly with this thing

Anusha · Jul 18, 2014

What do you guys think about the Scythe Ashura cooler with two fans? I can get that for 1/3 the price of a Cryorig. The huge price difference is attributed to Scythe being a Japanese brand and others needing to be shipped overseas from far away.

doyll · Jul 18, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anusha

What do you guys think about the Scythe Ashura cooler with two fans? I can get that for 1/3 the price of a Cryorig. The huge price difference is attributed to Scythe being a Japanese brand and others needing to be shipped overseas from far away.

It's not as good but for 1/3 the price go with it. Two fans make little difference. Just make sure your case airflow is cool air to components and heated air out of case without mixing with cool air.

Anusha · Jul 18, 2014

I think I should state the prices of the coolers here so that you can base your choice on it as well.

NH-D15: $140
NH-D14: $120
NH-U14S: $108
NH-U12S: $94
Cryorig C1 Universal: $129
Scythe Mugen 4: $41
Scythe Ashura: $39
Scythe Mugen Max: $53
Phanteks PH-TC12DX: $82
CM Seidon 120V: $53
CM Seidon 120M: $77
CM Seidon 120XL: $115
TT Water 3.0 Performer: $82
TT Water 3.0 Pro: $105
Silverstone HE01: $73
TR True Spirit 120M: $39
TR Macho Rev.A: $61
H60: $70
H75: $110
H80i: $111
Raijintek Ereboss: $42
Raijintek Themis Evo: $42

Looking for the best air cooler that can fit in a case with 165mm clearance and 43.5mm tall RAM

Anusha

Dyaems

Anusha

Dyaems

Anusha

Dyaems

Anusha

Dyaems

Anusha

doyll

Anusha

doyll

Anusha

RnRollie

doyll

chartiet

RnRollie

Anusha

doyll

Anusha

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