Hey everyone! I recently picked up a Ryzen 9 9950X CPU paired with a Gigabyte X870 Eagle WiFi 7 motherboard, but I'm having some clearance issues in my case. I also got a Noctua NH-D15 cooler, and it completely blocks my first PCIe slot, making it impossible to install my graphics card. I'm looking for a motherboard that would avoid these kind of compatibility issues primarily with air coolers like the NH-D15. My usage is mostly gaming and streaming, and I'm hoping to stay within a $200 budget. Any suggestions?
4 Answers
Have you tried using the offset mounting for your Noctua cooler? If it’s not working, switching to the standard mount might resolve the issue and give you the clearance you need for your GPU. Just a thought!
This shouldn’t be happening. Any chance you could share a photo of your setup? It might help pinpoint the issue better!
Honestly, if you're just gaming and streaming, the 9950X might be overkill, especially considering its price relative to the 9700X. Also, the NH-D15 isn’t the best match for the latest AM5 CPUs like the Ryzen 9. I’d recommend swapping out for the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE instead; it’s smaller, cheaper, and performs just as well! If you really want to stick with the NH-D15, check out other motherboards like the Asus PRIME X870-P WIFI that won't block the PCI slot, or even a Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX V2 for better compatibility.
It seems like you've run into a common issue with the NH-D15 and the X870 Eagle motherboard—the first PCIe slot is in a tricky spot! Instead of switching motherboards, why not consider returning the NH-D15 for a Thermalright Phantom Spirit? It's designed with offset heatsinks to avoid covering the PCI slots, and it's much cheaper, too! If you still want a Noctua cooler, look for the NH-D15S or the NH-15G2; they have better compatibility because they’re designed with offset heat pipes.
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