Noctua NH-D15 and memory height - clearance

[Contiusa]

Hi guys, I need some help. I only have the option to choose in between these two CPU coolers in my country due to availability:

Noctua NH-D15 (I know it is better, the best of them all actually)
Dark Rock Pro 3

I will overclock an i7-3770K to 4.4Ghz or above. My Zalman 9900Nt is only properly handling 4.2Ghz and at the peak of the summer temperatures will rise another 5ºC or so.

The question is, the Noctua NH-D15 might not fit with my G-Skill Trident X 2400Mhz. If I take the memory fins (detachable), it comes down to 39mm. Noctua says the NH-D15 have 32mm clearance for memory. I can't raise the fan (it will barely fit my Carbide 300R, with 170mm clearance).

But here is the catch. The Dark Rock Pro 3 also states no room for the Trident X at 35mm memory clearance with the fan centered, but it fits: http://www.tweaktown.com/image.php?...n_terms_of_performance_and_quietness_full.jpg

How? Because people say the CPU raises the block 8mm and the memory slot raises the memory 3mm approximately. If you do the math, you have 5mm extra to fit the memory.

If this is correct, unless the motherboard of the TweakTown test is different from all the rest, I am assuming the Noctua NH-D15 will also have extra 5mm on top of the 32mm it states. The TweakTown photo seems to attest to that. Then I can spare a millimeter or two according to a guy who says the Dark Rock Pro 3 leaves 5mm to spare from the side panel of a Carbide 300R (I have the same case). The Noctua is slightly bigger, but it will have a couple millimeters to spare as well.

I know the Dark Rock Pro 3 is a safe bet and it can handle 4.4Ghz, but I hate to pass on a real performer like the NH-D15. And I might even try to run it with 4.6Ghz, which the Dark Rock Pro 3 might not handle properly. Sometimes I do video rendering and the CPU usage gets pretty high.

Anyone with a Noctua NH-D15 that can attest 37mm clearance for the memory? Or maybe Noctua states 32mm already taking into account the 5mm extra? I am not sure.

-I just bought the Trident X and I am in love with it, stable as a rock at 2400Mhz, so I won't buy another low profile set.
-I don't like water coolers (mostly noise and mechanical / parts problems).
-I don't want to spend money in another case (they are getting quite expensive here, especially bigger cases).

As you guys can see, I did my homework as best as I could, but I have no way of knowing if Noctua is taking into account the CPU bump or not.

Some tests vary the performance of the Dark Rock Pro 3, but maybe I will be on the safe zone from 4.4 to 4.6Ghz. And it is quite cheaper (good deal) than the Noctua. But who knows...

I appreciate any help.
Contiusa.

 

[Carfax83]

I have the Noctua NH-D15, and I had to raise the fan to get it to fit over the TridentZ DDR4 modules that I have which are 44mm tall.. But your RAM has detachable fins, so you might be able to squeeze it in.

Another option is to use a single fan in the middle, or get the NH-D15s which is specifically designed for greater compatibility..

Adjusting the fan is very easy, but I can't say off the top of my head whether yours will make it or not for sure..

 

[Contiusa]

Thanks mate, I think so too. It might fit with not a millimeter to spare from the side panel But I am going to write to Noctua and ask if they are including or not the 5mm clearance the cooler gains after the install. I think not, because then the memory would have to have 28mm.

Noctua should make it clearer, since most memories / cases have trouble with the setup... But DRP 3 does not specify either. It might be a trend

Thanks again,

 

[ClockHound]

They measure from the board and include the 5mm bump:

With my 30.5mm Mushkin Stealth ram, the front fans on my D15 sits 5mm higher than the middle fan. Could go a little lower. Barely.

As suggested, can run the D15 in single fan mode with a modest 1-3 degrees increase in temps. Or get the D15S.

D15 Review by ehume

D15S Review by ehume

Alternately, could use a 120mm fan on the front, like a Noctua P12 or Darkside GT PWM.

Both options are preferable to having to use Be!Q's byzantine mounting process.

 

[Jovec]

You just sit the rear fan higher-up.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2394731&highlight=d15

 

[Contiusa]

They measure from the board and include the 5mm bump:

But this data is at odds with the FAQs, which states RAM up to 32mm. If they are measuring from the board it has to be RAM of 29mm (subtracted 3mm from the memory slot). I wrote them. I just expect they give me a response based on a real test bench.

If you have some 5mm to spare, there might be another 5mm extra to the side panel of my Carbide. I'll research people with D15s and 300Rs. If I do the math with my 9900NT, will be a gamble of 1-2mm. But yes, if it does not fit, maybe it is better to use one fan for now or replace with a 120mm one (the N15S is not available here). I just let go of the DRP3. Too warm in comparison with the competition and it is not that quieter than the N15.

 

[Contiusa]

With my 30.5mm Mushkin Stealth ram, the front fans on my D15 sits 5mm higher than the middle fan. Could go a little lower. Barely.

Ah, I misread your quote before. I thought you had 5mm to spare. It makes sense with the review of OC3D, when his low profile Vengeance 29mm makes the front fan a little bit higher than the middle one. It would not fit a 39mm RAM in a Carbide. Funnily enough, Noctua replied saying 32mm RAM is the actual clearance with RAM slots into account and everything. I knew I could not trust their response

I am considering the D14 or even the NH-U14S with dual fans.

 

[Deders]

I had clearance issues, You can fix the fan a bit higher but then you don't get the bottom part cooled as effectively.

There was about 1c difference in temperature so I decided to use the 2nd fan as a rear fan to cope with the extra air pressure, and my rear fan as a top intake to get cool air directly to the CPU.

 

[Contiusa]

Yeah, it works with only one fan, but then I think the N14 would be better. And I already have six fans on my case (2X top / 2X side panel / 1X front / 1X back). The two on top made a good difference (3-4ºC). I might take off the ones on the side panel (blows too much dust inside).

 

[Contiusa]

As an update, I just got a NH-U14S. Later on I will add another NF-A15 (sold out). This way I can even maintain my Trident X fins and there are some reviews placing it (dual fan) better than the NH-D14, mostly due to the NF-A15 and the new pipes.

I am happy with the purchase. In my opinion the best option by far (in my case) after a week of research.

If I have time, I'll post the difference from my Zalman 9900NT at 4.4Ghz.

I appreciate all the replies and the help.