Best Noctua CPU cooler for Ryzen 7 3700x in a Corsair Air 240 case?

[umbralknight]

There is very limited information on this build combination as the Ryzen 7 3700x is a fairly new CPU whilst this case is over 4 years old.

The maximum CPU cooler height for the Corsair Air 240 case is 120 mm. The CPU chip is a Ryzen 7 3700x which I will not be doing any overclocking on.

I am choosing a Noctua CPU cooler and from my research the best options that are available due to height restrictions are the Noctua NH-L12S, Noctua NH-D9L (with dual 92mm fan configuration) and the Noctua NH-L9a.

(I understand that the new Corsair 280x has superseded this Air 240 case. However, I purchased this case in 2018)

Any recommendations out of these CPU coolers would be highly appreciated!

Many thanks.

[johnny5c]

I personally would go with a NH-C14S with the fan mounted underneath.

[umbralknight]

5 minutes ago, johnny5c said:

I personally would go with a NH-C14S with the fan mounted underneath.

Thank you for your reply johnny5c. This was not even a consideration, I will have to do some more research on this cooler compared to the others. Thank you

[Mateyyy]

The C14S mentioned by @johnny5c would perform better than both of the solutions you mentioned.

I'd also suggest the Dark Rock TF from be quiet. It should perform similarly to the C14S though arguably it looks better, and might be a little quieter out of the box too.

[johnny5c]

Just now, umbralknight said:

Thank you for your reply johnny5c. This was not even a consideration, I will have to do some more research on this cooler compared to the others. Thank you

You're welcome.  I have one in my Silverstone HTPC case and it and it's about the best one under 120mm, just make sure it will clear your RAM.

[umbralknight]

@Mateyyy I just researched the C14S and found this reddit link (as reputable as reddit is) ha!

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

 

From this link, the user suggested the Noctua C14S with the implementation of a Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM as the fan mounted underneath. 

 

[umbralknight]

16 minutes ago, johnny5c said:

You're welcome.  I have one in my Silverstone HTPC case and it and it's about the best one under 120mm, just make sure it will clear your RAM.

However, according the PC part picker the Noctua C14S is not compatible as a selection for the selected Corsair Air 240 case

 

[johnny5c]

5 minutes ago, umbralknight said:

However, according the PC part picker the Noctua C14S is not compatible as a selection for the selected Corsair Air 240 case

 

That's only because it's over 120mm with the fan mounted on top, my GD05 has exactly 120mm of clearance and the C14S fits perfectly with the fan mounted underneath.  If you have RAM clearance issues you can use a 120mm fan but stick with the 140mm unless you absolutely have to.

[umbralknight]

4 minutes ago, johnny5c said:

That's only because it's over 120mm with the fan mounted on top, my GD05 has exactly 120mm of clearance and the C14S fits perfectly with the fan mounted underneath.

Thank you! Is there anyway to check RAM clearance?

 

I am currently looking at this set of RAM.

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Memory/VENGEANCE-LPX/p/CMK16GX4M2D3600C18#tab-tech-specs

[umbralknight]

From even more research, the Noctua C14S has 40mm clearance with the fan mounted underneath.

 

The RAM that I linked above has a height of 31mm as they are low profile.

 

Thank you @johnny5c for your help. Now to decided on a mobo haha!

[johnny5c]

6 minutes ago, umbralknight said:

Thank you! Is there anyway to check RAM clearance?

 

I am currently looking at this set of RAM.

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Memory/VENGEANCE-LPX/p/CMK16GX4M2D3600C18#tab-tech-specs

Same RAM I have, fits with room to spare