Help with CPU cooler please!?

[samwise78]

Hi there

I need some advice/recommendations on a CPU cooler to use on my new build please??

Will be cooling a 4790K on a Gigabyte Z97X-SOC Force..

On my last build I used a TRUE Spirit 140 Power and without double checking, I thought it would be fine on this build.

The heatsink massively overhangs the first PCIe slot (the only 16x on the board) so much so I wouldn't be able to install the GPU in it.

Wanted something that could cool as effectively (and quietly) as the Thermalright and not overhang the first PCIe slot.

Cheers

 

[samwise78]

Hi toodoo9011

I've already tried the fit and the heatsink definitely overhangs the slot..

Wondering whether to just use the bottom slot (8x) but I'm not sure there'd be any performance hit from doing so.
Ideally I want to use the 16x slot though..

 

[samwise78]

Its a Fractal Design R4..

Thought about going AIO but think I'd have some issues with mounting top rad

Cheers

 

[samwise78]

Nope - left it blanked off
Wondering if I could use an AIO (quietly) in this case, I'm unlikely to be overclocking if it makes any difference

Cheers

 

[samwise78]

Use the 2nd orange PCI-E slot.

That runs at 8X.

Lose 1-2% in performance - http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GTX_980_PCI-Express_Scaling/21.html

Thanks Stulid - that's good to know..

 

[samwise78]

someone else had an issue with the same cooler covering their pcie ( more info here http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=22891670)

but if you wanted to get a noctua it would look like this http://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/board-installed-11.jpg

http://www.kitguru.net/components/motherboard/luke-hill/gigabyte-z97x-soc-force-motherboard-preview/

Interesting to see that some coolers can fit just fine and leave the 16x free (just not the one I have)

 

[samwise78]

Interesting to see that some coolers can fit just fine and leave the 16x free (just not the one I have)

Looking into this closer even the Noctua's I've looked at (according to Noctua themselves) will overhang the first PCIe slot..

Guess I'll run my 970 on the 8x slot for now.. If I wanted to go SLI I'd still want to free up that first slot..

Any other ideas?

 

[samwise78]

Hi forteh

Pretty sure you can't with this heatsink due to the mounting mechanism..
This wouldn't be an issue with a NH-U14S for example as the mounting plate orientation can be picked depending which way you want it..

Out of interest, with your horizontal mounting are you blowing air up or down?

Cheers

 

[samwise78]

Thanks forteh..
Getting a 403 message from that Dropbox..

Thermalright have just released an offset cooler that doesn't block the first PCIe slot:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=27101211&postcount=29

Can't see any UK stockists at the moment though, tempted to have a punt on one from Germany..

 

[samwise78]

Cheers, looks crazy that build!

I'll have a go tonight

 

[samwise78]

Yeah I saw this yesterday but couldn't/can't find any UK stockists, looks ideal

 

[samwise78]

Yeah I found an e-tailer in Germany for around that price - probably the same one..
Will see how I get on with the horizontal orientation of the 140 Power I've already got though.

Regarding an AIO cooler - I'd want a 280mm radiator for the larger fan size but mounting could be a problem in the R4, they seem to have divided opinion on (pump + fan) noise and effectiveness versus air coolers.

 

[samwise78]

Update: All built and fitted the original Thermalright horizontally..

Not done any overclocking as yet - everything at stock on F6 bios..

Seems ok so far, looks like motherboard is putting 1.239v through the chip at boost though..
Is this a bit high or ok?

Been way out of the loop with overclocking and even checking a few of the guides out, there are a lot of variables now to tweak..!

My current idle temps are 17-18 degrees across all 4 cores - I know this isn't indicative as the room is pretty cold right now and it's only running at 800mhz and 0.738v..