Noctua NH D15 Gigabyte x99ud4

dannywaugh1 · 5 Sep 2015 at 13:43

Hi all,

Does anybody have experience with the noctua NH d15 and gigabyte x99 ud4? I just want to know it the cooler will interfere with the top PCI x26 slot?

dannywaugh1 · 5 Sep 2015 at 13:43

PCI x16

Or even any gigabyte board. If it does, does having to move the gpu into a different PCI slot do anything to performance.

BrynS · 5 Sep 2015 at 17:33

According to the Noctua website there will be a clearance issue with NH D15 and a UD4:

"The cooler is extending over the first PCI-E x16 slot, so please use the other available PCI-E slot(s) for your video card(s)."

I've got a NH D15-S in my X99 Gaming 5P (E-ATX version of the Gaming 5 and a very similar layout to the UD4/UD4P and there's a good 7-8mm clearance between the bottom of the cooler in its standard orientation and the top of my GPU (which doesn't have a backplate).

There's an e-mail address on the Noctua compatibility page I linked above to query this. The NH D15S is rated for full compatibility with the UD4.

Steveocee · 5 Sep 2015 at 18:04

I have a D15 and on my z77x-ud5h it has stopped me using the top slot despite their site saying it wouldn't.

doyll · 5 Sep 2015 at 20:08

You have approx. 73mm from center of CPU to near side of PCIe socket, so you need a cooler no wider than 140mm or with an offset base like the Thermalright Silver Arrow IB-E, TRUE Spirit 140 rev.A, Archon IB-E, NH-D15S. Even then if GPU has much on back side of PCB it might not clear.

dannywaugh1 · 6 Sep 2015 at 11:49

BrynS said:
According to the Noctua website there will be a clearance issue with NH D15 and a UD4:

I've got a NH D15-S in my X99 Gaming 5P (E-ATX version of the Gaming 5 and a very similar layout to the UD4/UD4P and there's a good 7-8mm clearance between the bottom of the cooler in its standard orientation and the top of my GPU (which doesn't have a backplate).

There's an e-mail address on the Noctua compatibility page I linked above to query this. The NH D15S is rated for full compatibility with the UD4.

Will putting the gpu in another pci slot affect performance?

BrynS · 6 Sep 2015 at 17:42

dannywaugh1 said:
Will putting the gpu in another pci slot affect performance?

Will you be running a 5820K or 5830K or above? As per the specs page for your board the second PCI-E slot will run at PCI-E 3.0 x8 speeds if you have a 5820K (28 lanes rather than 40 on the 5830K and 5960) installed. It should run at 16x if you have 5830K or above.

1.2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x16 (PCIE_1, PCIE_2)
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIE_1 slot; if you are installing two PCI Express graphics cards, it is recommended that you install them in the PCIE_1 and PCIE_2 slots.

2.2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x8 (PCIE_3, PCIE_4)
* The PCIE_4 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIE_1 slot. When the PCIE_4 slot is populated, the PCIE_1 slot will operate at up to x8 mode.
* When an i7-5820K CPU is installed, the PCIE_2 slot operates at up to x8 mode and the PCIE_3 operates at up to x4 mode.
(All PCI Express x16 slots conform to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)

Credo · 6 Sep 2015 at 18:09

I initially had a NH-D15 for my new Asus X99-S system. It was down as compatible, but was stupidly close to the GPU PCB, so I swapped for a D15S. Much better option, and no change in temps.

dannywaugh1 · 6 Sep 2015 at 21:21

BrynS said:
Will you be running a 5820K or 5830K or above? As per the specs page for your board the second PCI-E slot will run at PCI-E 3.0 x8 speeds if you have a 5820K (28 lanes rather than 40 on the 5830K and 5960) installed. It should run at 16x if you have 5830K or above.

I dont have the mother board yey I am trying to make sure all is well at the moment. More so a 5820k

BrynS · 6 Sep 2015 at 21:32

Aah righto. As Credo mentioned I think the best course of action is to opt for NH-D15S (which will definitely not result in any clearance issues) instead. If you have (or have bought) a normal D15 then either try and return it or sell it.

Technically, I believe that you should be able to run a single GPU from PCI_2 of the UD4, but you will be limited x8 speeds with a 5820K. The safer course is to go for a cooler with wider compatibility (like the NH-D15S).

dannywaugh1 · 6 Sep 2015 at 21:36

Credo said:
I initially had a NH-D15 for my new Asus X99-S system. It was down as compatible, but was stupidly close to the GPU PCB, so I swapped for a D15S. Much better option, and no change in temps.

isn't the cooler same in size but will only 1 fan?

dannywaugh1 · 6 Sep 2015 at 22:02

dannywaugh1 said:
isn't the cooler same in size but will only 1 fan?

BrynS · 6 Sep 2015 at 22:18

The D15S has the same dimensions I believe, but the asymmetrical layout results in the fin stack being off-set (check the 360 degree views on the Noctua website). I can only mount mine "upside down" in the standard orientation because of the fin stack. If I flipped it over 180 degrees it wouldn't fit.

You can add another fan to the NH15S if needed.

doyll · 7 Sep 2015 at 12:54

Here is top view of NH-D15 and NH-D15S showing how the 8mm offset of NH-D15S improves PCIe socket clearance.

NH-D15%20amp%20NH-D15S%20top_zps8j8gollp.png

dannywaugh1 · 7 Sep 2015 at 13:34

Cool thank guys I understand now. Better to go for the NH D15s and add a extra fan if needed. I doubt another fan will be needed if you didn't see much difference in temps. Now it's time to decide on a case. phanteks enthoo luxe, fractal design define xl r2 or define s.
Too many choices!

LoadsaMoney · 7 Sep 2015 at 20:15

Credo said:
I initially had a NH-D15 for my new Asus X99-S system. It was down as compatible, but was stupidly close to the GPU PCB, so I swapped for a D15S. Much better option, and no change in temps.

Its close on my Asus x99-A too, but its no problem at all.