CPU aftermarket cooler/heatsinks

[smkordis]

On 2 recent builds I have had problems using aftermarket CPU coolers that I have previously used with good results. Several Zalman and Thermaltake units will NOT fit because of the RAM heatsinks which is pretty much standard on high end RAM these days. Corsair Hydro units have solved the problem, but anyone else having these issues? Any other solutions?

 

[sosofm]

A high end RAM is not nevesary to have big heatsink. The people RAM with big heatsinks because they are good loocking.

 

[mcnumpty23]

corsair and a few other manufacturers do low profile ram--works exactly the same but fits under the cooler

http://www.corsair.com/memory-by-product-family/vengeance/vengeance-low-profile-8gb-dual-channel-ddr3-memory-kit-cml8gx3m2a1600c9.html

 

[zander1983]

Using a D14 here and no issues, got about 2mm space between ram & cooler.

 

[Rockdpm]

Well a Corsair A70 will do nice as long as you have "Low Profile Ram". The Corsair A50 will do quite nicely for air coolers. the Corsair Hydro Series puts the Water Block on the CPU and keeps the Fans away from the Ram, thus canceling the need for Low profile ram. Eh just a option. There is many Tall Air coolers. You just needa check the pictures of the cooler. see how tall the block part of the Heatsink how tall up it is and how the fans mount.

 

[hella-d]

I Had A Clearance Issue With My Last Machine I Just Carefully Pryed Off The Heat Spreaders.... No Problem.

 

[davcon]

A little homework is required when mating a HSF to ram kits/mobo/case.
Common sense really!

 

[smkordis]

A little homework is required when mating a HSF to ram kits/mobo/case.
Common sense really!

Most manufacturers give overall dimensions of the HSF, but not clearance of unit to the MoBo.

 

[davcon]

Most manufacturers give overall dimensions of the HSF, but not clearance of unit to the MoBo.

Yes they do it's called base height.
Determines ram clearance and mobo vrm heatsink clearance.
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3053&product_name=Hyper 212 EVO = 37mm base height
http://www.thermalright.com/products/index.php?act=data&cat_id=27&id=96 (Specs tab) = 40.87mm base height
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1417&ID=2044#Tab0 = 32.8mm

 

[matt2155]

If size comes to a matter, I would recommend getting the Corsair H70 cooler.

I have the H50 and it performs really well, and does not use much space at all.

 

[ebola28]

for noctua coolers:

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=faqs_single&faqs_id=44

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_ram_gen&products_id=34&lng=en

And you cannot go wrong using a noctua

 

[aviconus]

What motherboard to you have? If its a mini-atx, thats gonna be kinda crammed for the bigger air coolers.

 

[smkordis]

Yes they do it's called base height.
Determines ram clearance and mobo vrm heatsink clearance.
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3053&product_name=Hyper 212 EVO = 37mm base height
http://www.thermalright.com/products/index.php?act=data&cat_id=27&id=96 (Specs tab) = 40.87mm base height
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1417&ID=2044#Tab0 = 32.8mm

Thanks!

 

[matt2155]

for noctua coolers:

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=faqs_single&faqs_id=44

http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_ram_gen&products_id=34&lng=en

And you cannot go wrong using a noctua

I had a Noctua NH-D14 cooler
and I was getting horrible temps, I'm not sure if it was a bad cooler and was not functioning right but yeah, I have gone with the Corsair H50 now, and I wouldn't mind trying out the Coolermaster V10

 

[smkordis]

I've used the Corsair H60 and the H80 with good success.

 

[smkordis]

What motherboard to you have? If its a mini-atx, thats gonna be kinda crammed for the bigger air coolers.

Asus 99FX ATX