Noctua NH-D15 on Ryzen 3700x Question

[thvSPARK]

For my new build, I'm planning on pairing a Noctua NH-D15 with the Ryzen 3700x. However, after doing some research into that specific combination, I've seen quite a few posts all around where people are seeing really high temperatures on the CPU. Some people say that the normal grain of rice isn't enough, while others just think that the cooler isn't mounting right on the chip. Should I still go with this cooler and just be careful and add more thermal paste or go with a different cooler?

[Skiiwee29]

The NH-D15 is the best air cooler on the market. Its not them, its more AMD and the way PBO works. At idle, CPUs are idling at 1.45-1.5v on average and is causing temps to be all over the place. Hell, I have the 3700x under full custom loop with a 360 and 280 rad in the loop and I still get up into the 80s under full load as a result. I have mine manually clocked at 4.2ghz at 1.35v to ensure safe operating voltages as even AMD recommends never going above 1.35v on the chips. This video will help explain it.

 

 

[thvSPARK]

Just now, Skiiwee29 said:

The NH-D15 is the best air cooler on the market. Its not them, its more AMD and the way PBO works. At idle, CPUs are idling at 1.45-1.5v on average and is causing temps to be all over the place. Hell, I have the 3700x under full custom loop with a 360 and 280 rad in the loop and I still get up into the 80s under full load as a result. I have mine manually clocked at 4.2ghz at 1.35v to ensure safe operating voltages as even AMD recommends never going above 1.35v on the chips. This video will help explain it.

 

 

What's PBO? Should I disable it when I get my system?

Also thanks for the OC numbers, I would never know what numbers to use. 

[MeatFeastMan]

It's all complete nonsense, they have obviously done something wrong. Not sure how they've managed that considering the D15 is so easy to mount in comparison to the other coolers..but there we go.

 

I use a D15 on the formidable FX 9590, which was known for overheating on anything but the very best cooling. My 9590 has never overheated with the D15 that I have. If it can handle the most brutal desktop cpu of all, it can handle a measly 3700x.

 

[Skiiwee29]

Just now, Th5Pyro said:

What's PBO? Should I disable it when I get my system?

Also thanks for the OC numbers, I would never know what numbers to use. 

PBO is Precision Boost Overdrive.

 

https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/3491-explaining-precision-boost-overdrive-benchmarks-auto-oc

[thvSPARK]

Just now, MeatFeastMan said:

It's all complete nonsense, they have obviously done something wrong. Not sure how they've managed that considering the D15 is so easy to mount in comparison to the other coolers..but there we go.

 

I use a D15 on the formidable FX 9590, which was known for overheating on anything but the very best cooling. My 9590 has never overheated with the D15 that I have. If it can handle the most brutal desktop cpu of all, it can handle a measly 3700x.

 

Alright, thanks for clearing that up. Is the grain of thermal paste what I should go with then?

[MeatFeastMan]

Just now, Th5Pyro said:

Alright, thanks for clearing that up. Is the grain of thermal paste what I should go with then?

I just put a small pea on, that's what most people do.

[thvSPARK]

Just now, MeatFeastMan said:

I just put a small pea on, that's what most people do.

Cool, thanks!

[SolarNova]

33 minutes ago, Th5Pyro said:

Alright, thanks for clearing that up. Is the grain of thermal paste what I should go with then?

If in doubt use the spread method.

[thvSPARK]

1 hour ago, Skiiwee29 said:

PBO is Precision Boost Overdrive.

 

https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/3491-explaining-precision-boost-overdrive-benchmarks-auto-oc

I'm confused. Which voids the warranty: Turning PBO on or off?

Do you have yours off and manually OC'd the CPU?

[Skiiwee29]

9 minutes ago, Th5Pyro said:

I'm confused. Which voids the warranty: Turning PBO on or off?

Do you have yours off and manually OC'd the CPU?

I have my PBO enabled in the BIOS but still have my voltages manually set to 1.35v

[thvSPARK]

12 minutes ago, Skiiwee29 said:

I have my PBO enabled in the BIOS but still have my voltages manually set to 1.35v

Sounds good, thanks!

[St.Nick]

On 8/22/2019 at 12:06 AM, MeatFeastMan said:

It's all complete nonsense, they have obviously done something wrong. Not sure how they've managed that considering the D15 is so easy to mount in comparison to the other coolers..but there we go.

 

I use a D15 on the formidable FX 9590, which was known for overheating on anything but the very best cooling. My 9590 has never overheated with the D15 that I have. If it can handle the most brutal desktop cpu of all, it can handle a measly 3700x.

 

The most likely thing is that they used the older NH-D15 with the AM4 mounting kit. The mounting kit comes with a new set of screwplates that have different springs on them because mounting pressure between AM4 and AM3 is slightly different. If you only put on the new brackets and assume the screw plates are the same between the AM2/3/3+ version that comes with the cooler and the new ones in the kit (because they look the same) you won't get proper contact. If you get the NH-D15 AM4-SE you can avoid this tiny pitfall and save yourself quite a few C's on the mount. Newer versions of the D15 should also not have this issue as the new screwplates work fine on the older socket too.