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New CPU cooler, 160mm max height in Node 804 case

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maddangerous

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey all,

I'm looking for a hand in finding a good air cooler that will fit into my Fractal Design Node 804. I'm cooling an i7-4790K on a Asus Maximus VII Gene (it isn't assembled yet). Will most likely be overclocking sometime soon.

I have 1 constraint though, the max height my case will take is 160mm. Fractals website says up to, so I'm not sure if that is 160mm cooler height with fans, or if it actually means 159mm with fans is the max.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I have already looked at all of the thermalright towers, and now I am moving on to phanteks. From there I'm not sure where I'll go (I hate noctua fans so.. I have not looked there yet.)

Max budget is $65-$80 USD. I have newegg premier and amazon prime, so no worries on shipping. If I do next day air I won't have a problem covering that. If you can make a REALLY good case for something a tad more expesive, I'll see what I can swing.

Edit: my ram is 54mm tall. Gskill Trident X
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
Prolimatech Genesis

I am very much considering the Genesis for this build as well, I'm just not sure that it will handle an overclock well. I have on in my server, with 2 prolimatech PH-F140(HP?) fans on it, cooling a Phenom II 1090T X6 and it seemed to do great under load for 3 hours. CPU temps were not terribly high and I couldn't hear the fans at max RPM. It does say the max height is 160mm, and the max RAM height is 55.

Thoughts on any of this?
 
#3 ·
My experience with Fractal Design cases is they are a few mm conservative .. meaning coolers slightly taller will fit. The problem will be your 54mm RAM. A 160mm CPU clearance is 168mm from motherboard, but RAM socket raises RAM 3mm so you have 163mm for fan and RAM. With 54mm RAM there is only 109mm left for a fan over the RAM.

I don't know what the distance from center CPU toward RAM or PCIe socket is, but Cryorig H5 might be a good cooler
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Hmm alright I'll look at that one again. I can measure the board somehow hopefully tomorrow when it comes in and report back. Also, I can take the top of the heatsink off, to take the height down to something like 34-36mm. Don't want to but hey, in the name of cooling performance, I shall if needed. I also like to put my ram in the slots furthest from the CPU as well, if that helps things at all.

I ws looking at the thermalright silver arrow ib-e, but I'm sure fractal design isn'th THAT conservative lol. Too bad, I wanted to play with that one. So, if they are a bit conservative, is there a possibility that I could mount, say, the Phanteks PH-TC14? I think that was only 163mm, can't remember though.

I think I'm going to test fit my genesis still too, I do really like that cooler, the little bit that I have used it.
 
#5 ·
Genesis is a good cooler.

NH-D14 is 160mm tall too. Also a great cooler.
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Does the NH-D14 only take round fans?

I really just can't deal with that color glaring at me through my case window lol

Edit: I ws also considering getting the TY-1XX series fans, I need to investigate them more. I do like my phanteks fans that are in my server, but dang are they expensive. I do need to outfit my case with new fans soonish as well, my choice of the LEPA fans weren't as great as I thought.
 
#7 ·
For more money, you can replace those brown Noctua fans on the D14 with redux fans, and get them PWM, too. Actually, the NH-d15S is a good cooler, with cutout for RAM. It uses a center fan.

I have only 1 thing to say, though:



This is what your RAM should look like.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ehume View Post

For more money, you can replace those brown Noctua fans on the D14 with redux fans, and get them PWM, too. Actually, the NH-d15S is a good cooler, with cutout for RAM. It uses a center fan.

I have only 1 thing to say, though:

*snip*

This is what your RAM should look like.
Click to expand...
I actually have that RAM kit in my server, they do look nice. I prefer my Trident X in my gaming rig though. I can take the top of the heatsink for the RAM off too, knocking it down by ~20mm or so.

I'm considering the redux fans, but I'm not too impressed with the NF-P14s redux fans. Though those are case fans too. I think it is their sound profile I don't like, not sure.
 
#9 ·
NH-D14 fan clips are for 120mm fan mounts.
The NH-D14 SE2011 has PWM fans, but only has 2011 mounting hardware. Mounting kit is about $15.00 extra.
Knowing the exact distance from motherboard to case would be ideal.

Other good coolers are the DeepCool / GamerStorm Assassin and Assassin II. If middle fna is lowered 10mm they are 157-158mm tall.

 
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#10 ·
Another choice for the 804 would be the be quiet! Dark Rock TF. Only 131mm tall, performs just a couple pf degrees off of an NH-D15, great looking in the case and just about dead silent.
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by maddangerous View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by ehume View Post

For more money, you can replace those brown Noctua fans on the D14 with redux fans, and get them PWM, too. Actually, the NH-d15S is a good cooler, with cutout for RAM. It uses a center fan.

I have only 1 thing to say, though:

*snip*

This is what your RAM should look like.
Click to expand...
I actually have that RAM kit in my server, they do look nice. I prefer my Trident X in my gaming rig though. I can take the top of the heatsink for the RAM off too, knocking it down by ~20mm or so.

I'm considering the redux fans, but I'm not too impressed with the NF-P14s redux fans. Though those are case fans too. I think it is their sound profile I don't like, not sure.
Click to expand...
I agree with you about that NF-P14s redux for a case fan. I am using two NF-A14 ULN's for my case intake.

For a surprisingly good heatsink, look at Noctua's NH-C14S. My review at Overclocker's on that should be live in a few days.

My ultra-low profile RAM gets out of the way of 140mm front fans. That way I can use a 140mm push fan on an NH-D14 or an NH-D15 or an NH-D15S.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ehume View Post

I agree with you about that NF-P14s redux for a case fan. I am using two NF-A14 ULN's for my case intake.

For a surprisingly good heatsink, look at Noctua's NH-C14S. My review at Overclocker's on that should be live in a few days.

My ultra-low profile RAM gets out of the way of 140mm front fans. That way I can use a 140mm push fan on an NH-D14 or an NH-D15 or an NH-D15S.
Click to expand...
The NH-C14S is a great piece, for sure. I just finished a comparison between that and the Dark Rock TF and they are on very equal footing in terms of noise and performance. However, the OP clearly said he does not like the look of Noctua, so to wind up spending ~$25 more to change out the fan, when the Dark Rock TF is good looking in the first place doesn't make a lot of sense.
 
#13 ·
The key to good cooling is having airflow from intake to exhaust as straight and smooth as possible.

Pancake coolers do not do this. Unless there is an intake directly above the CPU airflow has to do a 90* turn into cooler and a 180* turn coming out .. or 90* & 180* turns from motherboard into cooler, up through cooler and out vent directly above CPU or turn 90* to go out back. .

Tower coolers are more ideal .. hopefully straight in front and straight out the back., but often turning some from front intake to cooler.
 
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#15 ·
PH-TC12DX is a good option .. but they are still a little expensive compared to similar size and performance coolers.
 
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#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyll View Post

PH-TC12DX is a good option .. but they are still a little expensive compared to similar size and performance coolers.
Click to expand...
Yeah that is true, but at $49 for the black version on newegg, I feel its worth that price. Otherwise for single tower coolers the next cheapest option I would say is just the hyper 212evo. Not sure what you think about that?

I have been affraid to mess with twin tower coolers since memory and pci-e slot clearances are so critical....they look great though
biggrin.gif
 
#17 ·
And because on the internet, you can never have too many sub-$50 choices, another compact, but efficient cooler is the Scythe Kotetsu.. Just squeaks in at 160mm. Very quiet single fan tower that is probably only bested by the TS 140 Rev A in the hot, er, cool world of sub $50 single tower coolers.
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 66racer View Post

Yeah that is true, but at $49 for the black version on newegg, I feel its worth that price. Otherwise for single tower coolers the next cheapest option I would say is just the hyper 212evo. Not sure what you think about that?

I have been affraid to mess with twin tower coolers since memory and pci-e slot clearances are so critical....they look great though
biggrin.gif
Click to expand...
Why pay 40% more for same performance?
The TRUE Spirit 140 rev.A is $49.90 and has much better cooling than PH-TC14DX, but sadly it's 165mm tall

@maddangerous
Your RAM is 39.5mm without heatsink .. and honestly the heatsink is almost totally there for looks. GSkill says you can remove them without voiding warranty. So remove them and pick a cooler.
biggrin.gif
 
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#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by doyll View Post

Why pay 40% more for same performance?
The TRUE Spirit 140 rev.A is $49.90 and has much better cooling than PH-TC14DX, but sadly it's 165mm tall

@maddangerous
Your RAM is 39.5mm without heatsink .. and honestly the heatsink is almost totally there for looks. GSkill says you can remove them without voiding warranty. So remove them and pick a cooler.
biggrin.gif
Click to expand...
I will keep that cooler in mind personally, but it seems 160mm is the hard limit on many cases which kind of sucks.
 
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