Noctua NH-D14 - Which way to install it?

phillai

phillai

phillai

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20 Jan 2004
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374
Just building my new rig as below now...
Never thought the Noctua NH-D14 was so massive!

Has people been installing this on the mobo before or after mobo is slapped in the PC case?

Fractal Design Define R3 Midi Tower Case - Black Pearl
Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
XFX 750W XXX Edition Power Supply
2 x Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
Intel Core i7-2600K 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor
Noctua NH-D14 Dual Radiator and Fan Quiet CPU Cooler
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6950 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
OCZ Agility 3 60Gb
 
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After its in. That way you can orientate to make it fit easier.

You should have gone for the Silver Arrow though. It is slightly smaller, cheaper yet gives better performance.
 
Noctua is better imo, have used both extensively.. however with varying case design sometimes the SA wins but i've have to say its by a degree or two and in most cases the Noctua comes out better.
 
I put mine in after but only because I couldn't measure properly. It would have slid in ok.

I did remove the cable you get with it to moderate the fan speed as the fan wouldn't turn on boot up.
 
Some of you guys must have very small hands/wrists and incredibly dexstrous fingers as i couldn't even begin to install either the SA or the Noctua in situ/the case.

Kudos though, i wish i could have saved myself the hassle of removing the MB - as getting the MB in with the SA attched was probably its equal in 'bitchiness' as fitting it in situ.
 
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I found fitting my current megahelims to be a bit akward as well, even though my new case is massive. In my old akasa eclipse 62 with a TRUE, it was so much easier. Slide out mobo tray.

Picture012.jpg
 
setter said:
Slide out mobo tray.
Click to expand...

I really miss this feature - really enjoyed updating and experimenting with my old cooler master praetorian case.

I know Heatsinks have gotten taller and almost negated the need (with smaller cases) - but tower cases (even midi) have gotten bigger, so why aren't they more prolific in high end cases? :/
 
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It's a feature i really miss with my current Lian Li A70F. Though when i send it off to get powdercoated, im gonna enquire if the company can reassemble the case and leave it so that the tray is removeable. Below is a comparison pic of both cases that have housed my current rig.

IMG_1472.jpg


The eclipse is a bit wider, therefore better at coping with tall cpu coolers. The system will be put in it again while the Lian Li is away.
 
setter said:
my current Lian Li A70F.
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You have the 'big brother' to my study case - the Lian Li PC-7FN.

I’m thinking of modding mine so that it has wheels like your Akasa - as that again is a feature i would like the option for/on most cases.

I think case makers are missing a trick by not including these as an ‘included’ extras within the price structure.

Lian Li offer Metal Casters @ ~£20, and I’ll probably buy them (if I don’t buy another Silver Fortress), but it would be great for case makers to start adding additional features such as: sliding trays, optional wheels/feet etc within the cost…
 
+1, id like to get a set of casters for the case, it's quite heavy to move around. It's a beautiful case externally, but the bare interior spoils the look, hence im gonna get it powdercoated. For the price id have wished for a prefinished interior, thinking of going with a dark blue interior, motherboard tray in black, black pcie clamp system, (which i already have, black braided cables and black frame fans with blue blades.
 
setter said:
thinking of going with a dark blue interior, motherboard tray in black, black pcie clamp system, (which i already have, black braided cables and black frame fans with blue blades.
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I like the read of that, as I like ‘dark upon dark’ look – with perhaps the odd flash of colour or gleaming metal (i'll even forgive the odd illuminated fan - especially if it's understated).

The SA you were considering (had it fitted) may have spoiled the look you were after as it covers most of the upper MB plus the fans wouldn't compliment your colour scheme (although these are easily changed but would make it very expensive). But as you don’t have a windowed case (yet[?]) this may not be a concern?..

By the way have you seen the prolimatech genesis as you may find it of interest and RJK rates it highly:

prolimatechgenesis03.jpg


It has the same performance as the SA but the fans are extra which is where it falls down slightly in reviews as it becomes expensive in comparison. But the bonus for you is that it can tolerate high profile memory.
 
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phillai said:
Has people been installing this on the mobo before or after mobo is slapped in the PC case?
Click to expand...

/edit

Oh I installed mine with the fans exhausting out the rear of the case, meaning the 120mm fan was towards the front of the case

/edit

I installed my NH-D14 before mother board installation in to my Fractal R3.

I wouldn't even think about putting a cooler this large in after mobo' installation, not enough room to ensure proper fitting.

Just be very aware of the cooler weight and be sure to support the cooler and motherboard properly to prevent any unnecessary stress.

Lastly, this cooler easily fits in a R3, so any suggestions about smaller coolers are meaningless. Get whichever cooler you want.
 
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I had no problems installing my NH-D14 in a Fractal Design Define R2 after installing the motherboard in the case. In fact, I reseated it with some IC Diamond just the other day. For me, having the cooler installed would make installing the motherboard a PITA. But each to his own. :)
 
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