Coolers with clearance for RAM with heat-spreader

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ram_shackled

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Long-time reader/first-time poster looking for some help:

TL;DR - I'm looking for an HSF that can handle a mild overclock, and has enough clearance to accommodate Corsair Dominator RAM with heatspreaders. Alternatively, does anyone have any experience removing the heatspreaders (suggested here: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=faqs_single&faqs_id=45)?

System specs:
Case: CoolerMaster HAF 932
CPU: i7 950 (3.06 GHz overclocked to ~3.6)
Motherboard: MSI X58A-GD65
Memory: 3x2GB DDR3-1333 Corsair XMS3 Dominator

The liquid cooler that came with the machine I bought from ibuypower recently stopped working. It's been over four years, so the machine is past the support/warranty period. I'm interested in getting an HSF, as they appear to perform just as well as liquid coolers for most uses (I have a relatively mild overclock 3.06 -> 3.6). Perhaps just as important, it's easier to tell when an HSF has failed. I think my liquid cooler broke down a few weeks ago, as load times have been sluggish and certain games became choppy. I only recently thought to check my system temps and found my cores were running 97-100 c while idle or under load. I want to avoid repeating this in the future.

The performance of the Noctua coolers are appealing, but I've seen concerns about clearance for the RAM slots. This would be an issue on my motherboard and my RAM, which has heatspreaders mounted on top. Does anyone have any suggestions for good coolers that allow clearance for taller RAM?

Alternatively, Noctua's website suggests I can remove the heatspreaders on my RAM (link above). Has anyone done this before? Does this affect the performance of the RAM? Is there a pretty good chance I could destroy my RAM while performing this operation?

While I know my way around the inside of a computer, I'm still a relative novice when it comes to home-built machines. I have no problem replacing HDs, RAM, and video cards, but I don't have much experience with the other components, or performing any mods. I appreciate any help or suggestions you can offer. Thank you in advance.

P.S. I still have a tube of Tuniq TX-2 thermal paste that came with the system. Is this still a decent choice, or should I pick up something else when I get the new cooler?
 
Solution
Karsten75


You have a significant overclock, if I read your specs right. That'll probably generate a substantial amount of heat. I'd carefully read the specifications to see what a cooler is rated for - and not all manufacturers will tell you. :(

The H100i is immensely popular here from what I read. You may also want to replace your cooler with a similar model as the one you had - it has the added benefit of knowing that it works in your circumstances.

I do not overclock my computers, so I do quite well with the Intel AIO coolers. Alternatively I have used the NZXT Kraken...
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Karsten75

Karsten75

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I can't speak to the issue of fitting RAM under or next to air coolers. I stopped using those around 2011 due to their size and weight. I prefer AIO liquid coolers and I would suspect that if you were to acquire another one, it would last until the end of the lifetime of your computer. It would also have a separate warranty. However...

On the matter of thermal paste, what you have is sufficient. There is hardly any difference in the different brands when tested by review sites. At most 2-3 degrees. Most people vastly overestimate the beneficial effect of switching between different brands. Correct application is far more important.
 
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ram_shackled

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Are there any particular AIOs that you'd recommend? I've seen good things about the corsair h100i, though the associated software appears to be a bit of a train wreck.
 
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Karsten75

Karsten75

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Oct 15, 2009
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You have a significant overclock, if I read your specs right. That'll probably generate a substantial amount of heat. I'd carefully read the specifications to see what a cooler is rated for - and not all manufacturers will tell you. :(

The H100i is immensely popular here from what I read. You may also want to replace your cooler with a similar model as the one you had - it has the added benefit of knowing that it works in your circumstances.

I do not overclock my computers, so I do quite well with the Intel AIO coolers. Alternatively I have used the NZXT Kraken in some builds and they are great and well-reviewed as efficient and silent by SilentPCReview. So are Swifthech's large cooler.

Be aware that in many cases the efficiency of an AIO cooler is dependent on the thickness (surface) of the radiator. So radiators with 38mm thickness is more effective than a 25mm radiator, but it needs more fan power to force air through it.

I once had a cheapish 120mm radiator corsair AIO cooler and I didn't like it at all. It was better once I replaced the fans. I think that might have been an H50 or H75, I don't recall.

 
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Solution
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ram_shackled

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Mar 8, 2015
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This update is way late, but I ended up going with the h100i. Installation was a breeze and my CPU is now running where it should be. Just a reminder to anyone who happens upon this thread: check your case dimensions against the products you're considering. I would have preferred the h110i, but my case doesn't have the screw holes in the right places to mount it correctly. Had I not checked into that first, I could have wasted a lot of time (and money).

Thanks to both Karsten and ZeroGravity for their answers. I wish I could give both of you credit for the solution.
 
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