Hi all, just a lurker finally getting involved...
 
I'm in the middle of acquiring components for a new PC build (air-cooled) and have narrowed the motherboard choice down to the EVGA Z68 FTW 160-SB-E689-K2 and Z68 FTW 160-SB-E689-KR (haven't figured out the major difference between the two yet though, other than $30). My question is to owners (or divine experts) of either of these boards:
 
What type of CPU cooler actually fits these boards WITHOUT blocking one of the RAM slots?
 
I keep settling on a cooler only to be dissuaded by a negative review stating that said cooler blocks at least one RAM slot (this on any given mobo, usually ASUS is mentioned) - or makes it impossible to access the slot unless the whole cooler (or a fan) comes out.
 
This is to go into a new Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced full tower case so I dont think the CPU cooler's height would be too much of an issue - just the overhang of the heatsink and fan themselves is my concern - particularly along the mobo side containing the RAM slots. My current build (3yrs old) uses the Arctic Freezer Pro 7 which has been excellent up to now (quiet, efficient, relatively compact) but I just wanted to see what other options were out there before "playing it safe". I suppose with the HAF 932, I have the option of mounting the CPU cooler front-to-back or bottom-to-top in terms of airflow/component clearance.
 
The CPU coolers I have seriously considered (not in any particular order):
 
Noctua NH-D14
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
Cooler Master V8
Cooler Master Hyper N 520
Arctic Freezer Pro 7 (Rev 2)
EVGA Superclock Cooler
 
The sizes of these things scare me away (save for the Arctic Freezer 7) as I think it will directly dictate what RAM I can use in the build (many of the GSkill sticks, for example, have integrated heatsink spikes sticking up).

I like the EVGA Superclocked or this one. Both are beast.

EliteGeek91

I like the EVGA Superclocked or . Both are beast.

Will either of these block any RAM slots in the EVGA mobos I listed above? That's my major concern (your two suggestions both look great though, I've considered them both up to now).

CommandDork

EliteGeek91

I like the EVGA Superclocked or . Both are beast.

Will either of these block any RAM slots in the EVGA mobos I listed above? That's my major concern (your two suggestions both look great though, I've considered them both up to now).

The EVGA one fit fine on my board, didn't block the RAM. Now for the Mega, I have no idea.

i had the 212+ on mine while i was waiting for my corsair h100.  it was close, but didn't block the ram slot.  it's probably the cheapest of the bunch and they're all right around 5c of each other.

CommandDork 

Gotcha on the board differences, thanks for the info. 

Took a quick look at the Antec Kuhler 920 on Newegg. How does this work exactly? I see the circular heatsink that I assume sits on the CPU itself and then the hoses connect to something that looks like a reservoir/radiator? I dont have much experience with watercooling systems so was just wondering where the big black box actually latches within a case (or outside of it?). I see the box picture shows the "radiator" with the twin fan setup so I can see where the fans would mount. 

Nevertheless, its an intriguing product for me to consider. 

 

Yes, it's a self contained water cooling system which requires little maintenance (you'll want to replace thermal paste after a while, like with any cooler).  A water block with a copper base (and pre-applied, high end thermal paste) makes contact with the CPU and a liquid solution carries the heat to the 120mm radiator.  Lately these things have become superior to many air cooling solutions in performance.
 

CommandDork

Noctua NH-D14
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
Cooler Master V8
Cooler Master Hyper N 520
Arctic Freezer Pro 7 (Rev 2)
EVGA Superclock Cooler

 
NH-D14 is good, but I'd rather get the Silver Arrow for performance reasons (capable of dissipating slightly more heat, especially due to 3x 120mm x 38mm fan support).  The V8 is just inferior, the Hyper N520 is a bit more on the low end side, and the AC Freezer 7 Pro sucks compared to those (I have it).  I recommend one of the following.
 
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo if you're on a tight budget
 
- Thermalright Archon - Designed specifically to not block RAM slots, and also beat the Venomous-X here (with identical fan setups), which is pretty much on even terms with the Prolimatech Megahalems.
 
- Corsair H80 - Currently the best performing 120mm AIO cooler, beating out the Antec Kuhler H2O 920 by a few degrees in this review.  It should beat the Archon fairly easily. 
 
- Antec Kuhler H2O 620 - If the Corsair H80 is too much cash for you, go for this one.  It's a bit thinner, and according to a guy here known as rafale (who tested this + the Antec Kuhler H2O 920 and Corsair H50/H60/H70) it performs as good as the H70 while beating the H60 and H50.  
 
Also note that an easy way to avoid RAM slots would be to use a single fan on the pull side of the cooler (left side, blowing air out of the back).  Temperatures won't be an issue if you choose your fan wisely.  A Scythe GentleTyphoon AP-29 is a great choice - not too loud at 36.5 DBA, and not weak at all with 5.08 mmH2O static pressure and 83 CFM.  Also note that it is important to remove the stock rear case fan since it will just slow down the airflow from the fans on the CPU cooler.

If I were you I would go with the Noctua NH-D14 I personally think it will out perform anything air cooled on the market right now and the fans are fully adjustable.  We recently reviewed this and here is a screen shot of different RAM with this cooler.


 
Don't waste your money on the H80 man.  We have done a review on that as well and I would personally never waste my hard earned dollars on that.

odinlives

If I were you I would go with the Noctua NH-D14 I personally think it will out perform anything air cooled on the market right now and the fans are fully adjustable.  We recently reviewed this and here is a screen shot of different RAM with this cooler.

 
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermalright-silver-arrow.html
 
I'm shocked that most people don't seem to notice the Silver Arrow, when Thermalright made this design popular with the IFX-14 far before the NH-D14 ever came out.  The Silver Arrow performed even better there, while being quieter.  However once you really start pushing overclocks, you'll find that the TY-140's airflow/static pressure (which is nearly the same as the NF-P14 in specification) becomes insufficient for pushing air through the Silver Arrow due to its increased number of fins.  However, the added fins should help its performance with high pressure fans.
 
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/thermalright_silver_arrow_vs_noctua_nh-d14/1

This thing should be aptly named OBNOXIOUS instead of noctua for its omg**** size.
 

odinlives

If I were you I would go with the Noctua NH-D14 I personally think it will out perform anything air cooled on the market right now and the fans are fully adjustable.  We recently reviewed this and here is a screen shot of different RAM with this cooler.



Don't waste your money on the H80 man.  We have done a review on that as well and I would personally never waste my hard earned dollars on that.

The CPU cooler mounting holes for LGA 1156 and LGA 1155 motherboards are the same.

Price and performance i would go with the Corsair H80.
 
Any of the closed loop cooling systems have several advantages over air
1. They move most of the final heat exchange to a radiatior diectly venting out of the case instead of directly above the CPU and memory.
2. they allow for much greater airflow for cooling RAM and make the RAM much easier to access
3. They just look cleaner when installed

The H80 installs in 15 minutes and it is WAY easier to install then just about any other HUGE cooler out there. Google install H80 youll see.

If I was buying a new cooler right now, it would be the H100.  I wouldn't hesitate for the H80 if the H100 didn't exist.  I used one of these AIO water coolers in the past, and while it didn't perform as well as I hoped, it was a very simple installation.

h100 fits in my haf x 942, push/pull , it's a few cm away from the top heatsink on the board, but does not touch.
 
there is NO learning curve on the AIO's, as long as you have room in your case, it's plug and play and maintenance free.
 

Corsair H80, running 4x4GB or Corsair Vengence without any clearance issues.