I recently upgraded my PC with a B650 motherboard, DDR5 RAM, and an H100i cooler. After finishing the build, I found that the RAM is too tall for the cooler to fit on top of the case, so I had to mount the cooler at the front. Unfortunately, this has caused problems as my RTX 3070 is now just 1 mm too long to fit in the case. I'm considering my options—should I get a new case for better compatibility, or would it be more cost-effective to change the RAM? The RAM can't be returned since it was part of a bundle with the motherboard and cooler. Right now, I'm using a Corsair 220T case. I've also shared some pictures of the issue for better context.
2 Answers
It sounds like you're in a bit of a tight spot! If the case allows for it, you might want to check how the front of your case is set up. If there’s any room behind the front panel, you could potentially relocate the fans there. That could give you an extra bit of space for your GPU. Long radiator screws might work in this case. It’s worth a shot before shelling out money for a new case!
Another quick fix could be to use slimmer fans instead. You mentioned the cooler comes with QX120s, which are 25 mm thick. If you could swap those with fans that are 20 mm or thinner, you might solve the issue without changing your case. Do you have any brands in mind for those?
I don't have specific brands yet, but I’d love any recommendations for quieter slim fans while I'm at it!
That's a good idea! I did a similar thing with my setup and it opened up the space just enough. Just make sure to securely attach anything you move!