CPU Cooler blocking PCIe port - what can I do?

[Signor65]

So, I'm building a PC and made a slight miscalculation....

I've got a Noctua NH-D15 that I was planning on using with my 5800X3D. Only problem is, that the NH-D15 blocks my PCIe port...

So what are my options here? I was considering selling off the Noctua at a loss and replacing it with either a NH-D15S or something similar, but I'd rather not wait potentially months to recoup my losses. Would a PCIe riser cable allow me to move the GPU a few slots lower in my case?

 

[limadelta26]

Cost wise you might end up spending more on PCI-e riser (a proper one) than the replacement cooler (considering the cost of selling the current one vs the cost of a new one)

Why not invest in a decent AIO?

 

[odtech]

Is a fan in the way or the fins?

 

[goldfritter]

So, I'm building a PC and made a slight miscalculation....

I've got a Noctua NH-D15 that I was planning on using with my 5800X3D. Only problem is, that the NH-D15 blocks my PCIe port...

So what are my options here? I was considering selling off the Noctua at a loss and replacing it with either a NH-D15S or something similar, but I'd rather not wait potentially months to recoup my losses. Would a PCIe riser cable allow me to move the GPU a few slots lower in my case?

A riser cable will only allow you to move the position of the GPU if you also install a vertical mount. That said, I've been wanting to do an air cooler/vertical GPU mount build for ages, and what I have found is that it's a matter of millimetres. Even with a 120mm air cooler, nevermind a 140mm. So there's a good chance this won't solve your problem.

Are you fixed on Noctua? The Deepcool AK620 seems to perform at least as well as the NH-D15, if not better, and is in stock locally, so you won't have to wait months.

 

[Signor65]

A riser cable will only allow you to move the position of the GPU if you also install a vertical mount. That said, I've been wanting to do an air cooler/vertical GPU mount build for ages, and what I have found is that it's a matter of millimetres. Even with a 120mm air cooler, nevermind a 140mm. So there's a good chance this won't solve your problem.

Are you fixed on Noctua? The Deepcool AK620 seems to perform at least as well as the NH-D15, if not better, and is in stock locally, so you won't have to wait months.

I think this might be my best option honestly. I'll try resell the NH-D15, but damn I hate wasting money.

Is a fan in the way or the fins?

The fins 😭

 

[goldfritter]

I think this might be my best option honestly. I'll try resell the NH-D15, but damn I hate wasting money.


The fins 😭

Yeah it's a pain, sorry

For future reference, Noctua has detailed lists on its website of which motherboards are compatible with each CPU cooler. It's really in-depth. But yeah with the D-15 most mATX and ITX boards are incompatible because the top PCIe slot uses the case's top-most expansion slot, where on ATX boards it's usually the second expansion slot.

They also give recommendations for each CPU, to indicate which coolers have enough cooling capacity. They are by far the cooling company that takes their job the most seriously.

 

[Signor65]

Yeah it's a pain, sorry

For future reference, Noctua has detailed lists on its website of which motherboards are compatible with each CPU cooler. It's really in-depth. But yeah with the D-15 most mATX and ITX boards are incompatible because the top PCIe slot uses the case's top-most expansion slot, where on ATX boards it's usually the second expansion slot.

They also give recommendations for each CPU, to indicate which coolers have enough cooling capacity. They are by far the cooling company that takes their job the most seriously.

Yeah I didn't do my homework, that's on me.