Air cooler for 3950x in NCase M1

[zyc]

Hi, I'm looking for an air cooler for 3950x. My motherboard is ROG C8I and memory is Micron 32GB 2RX8. I'd like to make it with a transparent side panel with some RGB lights. 

 

So, I shortlisted Noctua C14, C14s, Dark Rock TF, and Corsair H5 SF as my options. The first one is very hard to find, and I heard the second one two tall for a second fan. I'd like to make the top fan a RGB one but it seems it's not possible to change the fan of the third one, and I'm not quite sure if the last one is capable to cool a 16c monster like this. Is there any suggestions? 

[WoodenMarker]

Is there any particular rgb fan you're going with? 

The NH-C14S doesn't fit with a standard 25mm fan on top but a slim fan does fit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/sffpc/comments/ahv94d/ncase_m1_c14s_vs_c14_vs_u9s_results/

From the results of the NH-C14 here, it seems like having a top fan close to the side panel at all doesn't perform very well. It probably needs more breathing room for more air intake. The optimal cooler in terms of performance is probably an AIO or a NH-C14S with a single fan underneath pushing towards the side panel. 

Where are you shopping / located? Budget?

 

I don't think the H5 SF would fit but correct me if I'm wrong. 

[zyc]

12 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

Is there any particular rgb fan you're going with? 

The NH-C14S doesn't fit with a standard 25mm fan on top but a slim fan does fit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/sffpc/comments/ahv94d/ncase_m1_c14s_vs_c14_vs_u9s_results/

From the results of the NH-C14 here, it seems like having a top fan close to the side panel at all doesn't perform very well. It probably needs more breathing room for more air intake. The optimal cooler in terms of performance is probably an AIO or a NH-C14S with a single fan underneath pushing towards the side panel. 

Where are you shopping / located? Budget?

 

I don't think the H5 SF would fit but correct me if I'm wrong. 

Hi, thank you for the information. I don't have a preferred fan yet but I heard Corsair HD120 RGB is the best performed 120mm RGB fan, I think any fan comes with aura sync and can fit in my case would be fine. I live in AUS and I think something no more than $ 200 would be fine.

[zyc]

19 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

Is there any particular rgb fan you're going with? 

The NH-C14S doesn't fit with a standard 25mm fan on top but a slim fan does fit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/sffpc/comments/ahv94d/ncase_m1_c14s_vs_c14_vs_u9s_results/

From the results of the NH-C14 here, it seems like having a top fan close to the side panel at all doesn't perform very well. It probably needs more breathing room for more air intake. The optimal cooler in terms of performance is probably an AIO or a NH-C14S with a single fan underneath pushing towards the side panel. 

Where are you shopping / located? Budget?

 

I don't think the H5 SF would fit but correct me if I'm wrong. 

I double checked the thread you mentioned, I think the issue is that that article only used a single fan on both C14s and C14. Which is quite reasonable considering the difference of size. However, the reason why C14 is better is that there is enough space to put another 25mm fan on top of the heat sink. 

[WoodenMarker]

22 hours ago, zyc said:

Hi, thank you for the information. I don't have a preferred fan yet but I heard Corsair HD120 RGB is the best performed 120mm RGB fan, I think any fan comes with aura sync and can fit in my case would be fine. I live in AUS and I think something no more than $ 200 would be fine.

The ML Pro RGB would be better if you're going for performance. I'm not confident in going with a downdraft fan considering the cpu you're aiming to cool. If you're going with the windowed side panel, I'd recommend sticking with an updraft fan pulling away from the motherboard and towards the side panel instead.

15 hours ago, zyc said:

I double checked the thread you mentioned, I think the issue is that that article only used a single fan on both C14s and C14. Which is quite reasonable considering the difference of size. However, the reason why C14 is better is that there is enough space to put another 25mm fan on top of the heat sink. 

There are entries with fans on the side brackets which end up right against the cooler which function pretty similarly to using two fans. That being said, that option isn't feasible with the windowed model since the fan would just suffocate up against the side panel. 

 

FYI, you can use the Edit button to add more info instead of making another post.