Advice on the right air cooling solution for mini-itx build with tall ram

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thrax_of_order

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Feb 3, 2014
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So this is my very first pc build and I'm trying to make sure I've got the right cooling solution for the job. I'm trying to build a pc with the following considerations/objectives in mind:

1. Play Borderlands 1, 2, and Pre-Sequel at 50-60 fps with max quality settings (including Phys X at high if possible) at 1080p resolution)

2. Run internet browsing etc. through a VM to keep browsing relatively malware/spyware/adware free. So far I think I will use Virtual Box with an Ubuntu OS on the VM (computer will have Windows 7 Pro)

3. Need to use wifi for connectivity (no ethernet drops and router is on the floor above and on the other side of the house)

4. Avoiding overclocking

5. Trying to keep noise of the machine low (wife will be using the machine as well for general Internet, photos, and MS Office activities)

6. Trying to reduce power consumption if it’s feasible but would trade off for a lower price point

7. The case will sit on my desk at approximately 1.5 feet away from where I'm sitting

I’ve created the following draft build as a starting point:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/thrax_of_order/saved/VMfxFT

Most of the parts have been purchased, as I thought there were some decent deals on parts during Black Friday week. I didn't find any deals on a Z97 mini-itx motherboard or an air cooled CPU cooler. I would like a good air cooling solution and have the Noctua NH-U9B SE2 cooler selected but I'm unsure if the ram I purchased (G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory) is too tall to fit with such a large cooler. I believe the Noctua NH-L9i should easily fit but I don't know if it will adequately cool a 4790k running at stock speeds. What cooling system would you recommend for this situation?

I really don’t have a clue about the motherboard choice but went with the ASUS Z97I plus because it received good reviews. I liked that it can use my RAM at 2400 speeds and the built in WiFi seemed good as well. I'm definitely sticking with a Z97 board for the built in WiFi. I've also heard good things about the MSI Gaming board, along with the ones from ASRock and Gigabyte, so I could use any thoughts on the motherboard as well.

Could you please let me know your thoughts on this build or suggestions for other parts/builds that would be more effective in meeting my needs? I apologize in advance for any rookie comments made in this post but could really use some help from people who have built systems before.

Thank you
 
Solution
TheMagicalWallaby
PS, the reviews on newegg for the NH-d14 are greater because its been out for ever. The NH-D15 is the one that works with tall ram, not the NH-d14.


Anyways, have fun building.
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thrax_of_order

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Feb 3, 2014
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Thank you for your suggestion on using an AIO liquid cooler.

The Bit Phoenix case allows for a really large cooler but I think the tall RAM makes most of them not fit. I'm shying away from AIO liquid coolers at the moment because I'm new and have been concerned about a couple of things (which I am probably wrong about):
1. AIOs could leak over time (having my components get killed with liquid would be a bummer)
2. Hard to install vs fans?
3. Radiators may make sounds which could be more noticiable while doing desktop activities vs regular fan noise
4. AIOs may draw more power than air coolers

I'm highlighting these concerns and realize that I'm ignorant of liquid cooling. If someone thinks there's a better liquid cooling solution I would love to know (particular if there's a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale).
 
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thrax_of_order

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Feb 3, 2014
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Thank you for the response. When I looked at the description from the build you highlighted, it listed the MOBO being a micro-ATX as opposed to the mini-itx form factor that I have for my case. Will the placement of the cpu slot and memory slots be the same on both of these boards?
 
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MuchResearch

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Nov 22, 2014
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oh, I could of sworn I went to your build, and clicked your mobo to see others builds.... my bad idk how I managed that, its a different mobo lol.

http://pcpartpicker.com/b/FVdCmG

Looks like clearense issues with the first ram slot. Sorry to get your hopes up that was my mistake.

http://pcpartpicker.com/b/M92RsY

Similar noctua cooler, but smaller. If your ram isn't taller than the ram in this build then this would be do-able. This ram is the absolute tallest you can do with this similar cooler. The fan is practically sitting on the top of the ram.

You don't have many options for large coolers like that with this mobo, so liquid might be your best bet if you don't think this option is enough cooling.
 
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TheMagicalWallaby

TheMagicalWallaby

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1. They don't leak, the odds are so low. you can always leak test them. If they don't leak in the beginning, there is no reason for them to leak overtime.
2.They are easy to install
3. You can get ones with quiet pumps.
4. Power isn't an issue.
 
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MuchResearch

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I was looking into water cooling, but from what I can tell I've seen a lot of bad reviews of the h100i and comparable water cooling systems. I'd really like to try liquid cooling, but don't want to do a custom loop. I can't seem to find a liquid cooler that is easy and comparable to a simple air cooling solution, with low risk and almost zero maintenance..... Maybe I'm over analyzing here, but air cooling seems to be the simplest way to go, with almost no chance of failure, other than a fan that can be replaced :/ What would you recomend for a reliable liquid cooler with a quiet pump? Preferably capable of the h100i's temp range. I'm sure this would help the OP as well if he did indeed decided to go water cooling.
 
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thrax_of_order

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Feb 3, 2014
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Copy. Your reasoning seems like it hits all the bases. However, I think I still want to stick with an air cooling solution for my first build. Thank you for your help and if you have a recommendation for a silent-ish AIO I would definitely like to put it into consideration.
 
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thrax_of_order

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Nice part pick sir! I'm now looking at both the Noctua NH-U14 or the NH-U12 as possible solutions. Both have good reviews for handling a 4790k and fit on a mini-itx 1150 socket board with tall RAM (based on photos from the completed builds on pcpartpicker.com). Tough decision between the two. Any thoughts between them?
 
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MuchResearch

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http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/noctua-nh-u12s-u14s-review,11.html

I found this, seems like the u14 has a 4 degree difference in preformance idle, and about 6 degrees underload. They both should be good for what you want to do, just a matter of preference. If you don't want it to take up too much space the u12 isn't a bad choice, u14 if you want slightly better performance
 
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TheMagicalWallaby

TheMagicalWallaby

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A lot of bad reviews? I wasn't even going to reccomend the H100i, but that cooler has a lot of good reviews. Air cooling works, but for a small case you can get so much more out of your CPU with a 240mm aio.
 
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MuchResearch

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I didn't imply that it is the one you would recomend, it was just the one I was considering and used as an example. Its reviews on newegg show 16% of people rated it 2 stars/eggs or bellow. Thats almost 1/5 customers that were displeased. In those reviews they ranged from noise issues, crap software (i know not all AIO need software), broken pumps, and leaks. Compare this to a air cooling solution such as the Phanteks PH-TC14PE where only 2% of people rated it 2 stars/eggs or below. These reviews were only about the fact that they didn't make sure they could fit the unit and they're ram was compatible.

I agree that small cases can really benefit from an AIO. I don't have anything against AIO water coolers, I was merely asking if there were any really reliable AIO solutions that were nearly as reliable as an air cooler seeing as you seem to have experience with AIO water coolers. I on the other hand have no first hand experience with them.

I don't mean to bash these coolers, I'd actually really like one if I could find one that I trust, and is pretty quiet :) If you could point out a high quality unit I'd greatly appreciate it, i think they look sexy and would love one in my soon to be build
 
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thrax_of_order

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Feb 3, 2014
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So I went completely crazy and after some more research and looking at completed builds/photos, I went with the big boy: Noctua NH-D14. The newer NH-D15 was also a candidate but I picked the D14 for the following reasons:
1. Trusted with 1,000+ reviews on New Egg with most being 5 stars
2. $70 versus the D15's $100 price tag
3. It should fit with both of its fans on with my tall ram (the D15 would probably require the loss of one fan)

MuchResearch's info definitely put me in the right direction. I'll be assembling the machine next weekend, so wish me luck. Thank you both TheMagicalWallaby and MuchResearch for your help.
 
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