Noctua NH-D14 too big what alternatives?

Shooter84

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Jun 1, 2011
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I'm in the process of building a new systems. I purchased the noctua NH-D14 with no prior product experience. I guess I didn't realize how HUGE the thing was going to be. My components I have so far are as follows.

Thermaltake ArmorPlus(Armor+) VH6000BWS CASE -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811133056

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730&cm_re=z68-_-13-131-730-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Corsair|CMPSU-750TX 750W RT PSU -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145312
(this memory comes with a fan)

At this I am planing on over clocking but to what extent I'm not sure. Money isn't much of a problem but I need to be able to justify the cost. I'm not set on the noctua brand if their is something better out there for me. I just need something the fits with the best performance I can get. Please advise!!!
 

Shooter84

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Jun 1, 2011
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I have the NH-D14 here now and there is NO WAY its going to fit. Thus I am looking for a alternative with the best possible performance that will fit. If there is any other information I need to provide I will be happy to.
 

Blazzok

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Mar 31, 2010
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Why won't it fit?What is in the way? The RAM? Or is the case too small?

If it is your RAM, I checked Noctua's website, and if you have Corsair Dominator DDR3 memory, you can remove the top heatspreaders from your RAM, and that will allow the NH-D14 to fit over the RAM. The heatspreaders don't do much anyway, so it would be worthwhile to remove them if it would make the cooler fit.
 

Bigmac80

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Feb 3, 2011
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The NH-D14 might be the best air cooler but not by much...It also depends on how high your overclocking..Part of the reason why i didn't go with the Noctua NH-D14 is because of it's size and it limits the options of what kind of ram to use...So i ended up buying the Prolimatech Armageddon and it doesn't block any of my ram slot...I have 2 140mm fans installed on my heatsink as well...Also if your deciding on the new sandybridge you really don't need the best air cooler imo..A cooler master hyper 212 plus will do just fine...

Here's a video of my setup on youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U2oelrOT1Y
 

Shooter84

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Jun 1, 2011
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Sorry I haven't given an update. What I ended up doing is taking a dremel and "shaving" about 10 of the fins down about an inch just on the side that was interfering with the ram. Its a perfect fit and now hopefully this will draw a bit of air across the ram as well. Thanks for all of the advice anyway!