I'm having some trouble with my build! I ordered an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, but it doesn't fit into the PCIe x16 slot on my X870 Eagle motherboard because my Noctua NH-D15 cooler is just too big. I didn't realize this would be an issue when I used PCPartPicker to select my components. Does anyone have suggestions for CPU coolers that will work better with this setup, or tips on websites to check for compatibility?
4 Answers
Have you tried using the offset mounting bracket with your NH-D15? It can sometimes help with space issues! But if that doesn't work, the NH-D15S is designed for tighter fits and might be a solid option to stick with Noctua. Alternatively, the U12A is another great cooler you might want to consider!
The NH-D15 with the offset mount usually means it can only be used with motherboards that have the PCIe slot shifted down. If you decide to install it without the offset mount, be prepared for higher temps on AM5 CPUs. Maybe try the Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120? It could keep temps comparable or even lower than the NH-D15 with the offset!
Honestly, I’ve never seen the NH-D15 interfere with the top PCIe slot before, but it looks like the layout of your motherboard is unusual. If the PCIe slot is right above the M.2 slot, that's going to create some clearance issues. You're definitely going to need a different cooler to fit your RX 9070 XT in that top slot.
I was going to suggest using one of the lower PCIe ports for your GPU, but I checked the specs of that board, and it's not great—only a 3.0 x1 slot?! That's pretty limiting. Honestly, I think you're going to want to measure carefully for any new cooler. A single tower like Be Quiet's Dark Rock 5 might just do the trick for you.
Yeah, a lot of newer motherboards put the M.2 slot in that position, which shifts the first PCIe slot down. So, if it's really crammed up there, a different cooler is definitely the way to go.