Air CPU Cooler - RAM Clearance

[DefiantTheLion]

So, I've had the CM Hyper 212 EVO for a while on my 7700k, and want to look into doing a slight OC on it, and I have no confidence in the 212.  I've been looking into towers like the Dark Rock Pro 4 and the NH-D15.  My only question is will my Corsair Vengeance LED RAM (part# CMU32GX4M4C3000C15R) have height clearance with either of those coolers?  If so, any suggestions on other options to look at?  FYI, I am not looking into water cooling, because the idea of water + components scares the hell out of me, and nobody can convince me otherwise.  Also, since I'll be buying a new CPU cooler, any suggestions on non-LM thermal solutions that are easy to get online in the U.S.?

[Jurrunio]

As long as you have enough depth in the case, yes. Both coolers use fan clips to mount their fans, which gives flexibility in their height and room for tall memory sticks.

[wONKEyeYEs]

30 minutes ago, DefiantTheLion said:

Dark Rock Pro 4 and the NH-D15.

Those are my faves, NH-D15S though.

Didn't have the height clearance so went with the Dark Rock TF.

It shows pretty well all the RAM and helps cool the VRM as a bonus.

Not stock fan on top of Dark Rock TF.

 

[DefiantTheLion]

15 minutes ago, wONKEyeYEs said:

Those are my faves, NH-D15S though.

Didn't have the height clearance so went with the Dark Rock TF.

It shows pretty well all the RAM and helps cool the VRM as a bonus.

Not stock fan on top of Dark Rock TF.

Thanks for the reply and the picture!  Are you running any kind of overclock on your CPU, and how does it perform?  Didn't consider looking into the Dark Rock TF!  Going to do a deep-dive into it soon, though.

Edited January 10, 2019 by DefiantTheLion
Shortening quote

[wONKEyeYEs]

11 minutes ago, DefiantTheLion said:

overclock on your CPU, and how does it perform?

Well, with an i7 6700k and a GTX 980 @1440p I don't really need to OC, yet.

But I just put it up to 4.6GHz with MSI Commander, don't like auto OC, it tends to apply too much V. I've had it at 4.8GHz stable with no probs before.

So with it at 4.6GHz and F@H on full it hit 70C.

I have it regularly at 4.0GHz with F@H at full and it's at 57C.

So, yes, very pleased with the  Dark Rock TF.

That F@H on full really hammers the system.

 

Now I do have the cooler oriented in a way not displayed by the manufacturer with the heat pipe ends pointing up.

This gave me the best RAM clearance but I did have to put some black electrical tape on the top of the sound card

so the heat pipes wouldn't short on the sound card back.

[LogicalDrm]

What case? Vengeance LED is 49mm tall. D15 can fit 64mm under the fins, but with fan in normal height, it needs to be raised 17mm (from 32mm clearance) or moved to other side. Trident Z, a 44mm height RAM, can fit under DRP4s fins, but I can't say for sure about Vengeance LED, not just with pics. You can also raise fan. But 1st slot is blocked by fins. DRP4s fan is at 40mm.

 

E: And thermal paste coming with cooler will be enough. There isn't much of difference between that and premium paste. Or actually none, if you get D15. Noctuas NT-1 is premium paste.