LGA 1151 Setting the cooler. Proper installation of any cooler on any processor: the secret is revealed

Fan ( ) - a device that provides cooling of the processor. As a rule, the cooler is installed on top of the processor itself. There are various models of the coolers, for different sockets.

There are active and passive coolers. Passive cooler is called the usual radiator. Such a cooler consumes the minimum of electricity, it is very cheap and practically no noise. An active cooler is called a radiator with a fan fixed on it or one that highlights the cold (Peltier chips).

Active air coolers received the greatest distribution. Such a cooler is an active air cooler and consists of a metal radiator with a fan fixed on it. Modern coolers are distinguished by large dimensions and weight. Thanks to the use of coolers, computers have relatively small sizes. The disadvantage of coolers is an additional acoustic noise, which they publish during work.

The fan runs large volumes of air through the ribs of the radiator and this ensures the normal thermal processor mode. To determine the direction of the air flow, there is no need to connect the cooler to the power supply. The blades of the impeller will be slightly concave from the side where the air flow yield. Sometimes the cooler body is marked with arrows indicating the rotation of the impeller and the direction of air flow. As in any mechanical device, driving details of the cooler (rolling bearings, slip) in time you need to lubricate with machine oil. It is prohibited to use vegetable oils (olive, sunflower, etc.) as lubrication. After a while, such an oil dries out, and even disassemble the cooler will be impossible.

You will learn about the insufficient amount of lubricant by gradually increasing acoustic noise from the cooler. If this prevention does not do this, then the bearings are intensively wearing, and it will be necessary to install a new cooler.

Consider the main components of the cooler

The radiator distributes the heat of the cooled object (processor) into the environment. Therefore, it should have direct physical contact with a cooled object. For the heat transfer process from the processor to the radiator, the contact area should be as much as possible. The side of the radiator adjacent to the processor is called the sole (base). From the kernel heat goes to the base, then distributed over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe radiator and dissipates.

Different materials are used for making radiators of coolers.

Aluminum has good thermal characteristics, light weight and relatively cheap.
Copper is much better than aluminum carries out heat , but it is more expensive and has a lot of weight (such models weigh about 1 kg).
Some radiators make combining copper and aluminum plates.

Fans are divided into two types: radial and axial

Axial fans are most common due to small sizes and good performance / noise indicators. Axial fan is a conventional fan with a propeller. The air flow in it is directed along the axis of rotation.

In radial fans (blobrels), the air flow is directed at an angle of 90 degrees to the axis of the motor. In radial fans, the drums (impeller) are spinning instead of propeller with blades. This type of fans requires more power motors. Therefore, the boblors are more in size and more expensive. But radial fans have their advantages. The air flow in them has a greater speed, less turbulence and more evenly.

Fans are still classified by the method of connecting, the structures and size design.

In the marking of the fan there is information about bearings:

Sleeve - Slip Bearing.

Slip bearing are simply a pillow of oil and sliding materials. These bearings are rapidly wear out. The only dignity is low cost.

Ball - rolling bearing.

Ball bearings (ball) are more reliable, durable, and therefore mainly they are used for modern coolers. These are bearings consisting of two radial rings, between which small balls are located.

The most common dimensions of the fans are: 60x60x25, 50x50x10, 45x45x10.

Fans, by the connection method, are divided into SMART (connection via Molex Connector) and conventional (connection via a PC-Plug Connector).

An important fan parameter is the level of noise produced. In the documentation for the cooler it is defined. For normal operation, such noise should not be above 25 dB.

Other an important characteristic Fan is power consumption. It is usually 0.8 -1.6 W.

The frequency of rotation of the blades is also an important parameter. This parameter shows the number of revolutions per minute (rpm). The greater this parameter, the more air is distilled in a minute, but noise is more produced. The documentation indicates the amount of air distilled in a minute (CFM). For the power supply of all computer fans, a permanent current is used.

Installation of a cooler on the processor

The installation process of the cooler on the processor is very simple, if everyone should do neatly and without a rush. Install the cooler on the processor is preferably before installing the motherboard in the case. And for additional convenience and safety, it is recommended to install a cooler on the box of suitable sizes, for example, from the motherboard. If you have a purchasing processor in the box (box version with a cooler), then looking at the sole of the cooler, you will see a thin layer of special material - thermal interface. It is installed by the cooler manufacturer.

When buying a cooler separately from the processor, you need to buy a thermalcolon (KTT-8, Alcal). One tube pasta is enough for several settings of the cooler.

Consider installing a cooler for a socket 754, 939, AM2

Turn the cooler and see if the thermal interface is applied by the manufacturer. If there is, you can go to 3 points. If you have a cooler without thermal interface and with protective film, then you need to remove it.

Take the thermal paste. Carefully squeeze the paste to distribute it with a uniform layer throughout the processor's contact site. Consider the fact that when the cooler is installed, the paste of pressure will smear over the entire surface, and therefore there is no need to apply it with a thick layer. So that the cooler can feel more closely to the processor contact site, apply a thermal path with a very thin layer. The thick layer will worsen the heat dissipation (paste the thermal conductivity is worse than the metal).

Chunk plastic evenly distribute the paste throughout the surface. If a little falls on the edges or for them, then it is not scary.

Carefully install the cooler in the processor socket. It is necessary to install without distortion and shifts. When you put the cooler on the crystal - do not remove and do not tilt it, do not push and do not rotate. The removal and movement of the cooler on the smeared pasta crystal can cause the appearance of non-filled pubes. In the future, this can lead to system instability and local overheating. If you decide to remove the cooler after installation, you will definitely dispense the paste on the crystal anew.

When you install the cooler on the processor, then you need to fix it.

First, hook a bracket for a protrusion of a socket from the edge where there is no plastic lever. After you do this action from the edge where the lever is located.

Turn the lever and lock it.
Look so that there is no distortion, and check the fastening reliability. If so, discover, then open the cooler fastening lever and remove the skew. After that, fasten the cooler again.
Connect the cooler power connector to the power socket on the motherboard. Such a jack is usually denoted by CPU_FAN. To operate the cooler, it is necessary to submit a DC voltage of 12V on its windings.

In addition, there are other options for fixing the cooler.

Cutting coolers

To install such coolers, you need to insert each leg into the appropriate hole on the motherboard and press the characteristic click.

When the head turns the legs counterclockwise on the ninety degrees, the spring is unlocked, and the cooler is easily removed.

Screw mount coolers

In Intel coolers, there is a problem of high load applied to four attachment points to the motherboard. Some manufacturers use a special fastener plate, fixed on the back of the motherboard for the load distribution. In this case, the coolers have to be installed using screws.

Such coolers can only be installed until the board is fixed in the housing, since the fastener plate is installed on the back of the motherboard. The plate must be installed in the right side, and then you can navigate the contacts.

An example of the installation of a cooler to the processor:

Selection of cooler

According to the functional purpose, the coolers do not differ, their difference consists only in performance and method of fastening to the radiator. The performance of the cooler directly depends on the speed of rotation and the diameter of the impeller. The speed of rotation of all coolers differs little and is equal to about 5000 rpm. Therefore, if you choose a cooler for replacement, you can only focus on the diameter of the impeller. It should be the same or more.

Processors of different production are heated differently. For example, products from AMD will warm up the products from Intel. Therefore, the stronger the processor is heated, the more powerful the cooler is required for its cooling.

The main mass of processors is quite enough to the cooler supplied in the kit. In some cases, for example, if the processor has failed or was purchased without a fan, you will have to choose a cooler separately.

We highlight the basic requirements of which the cooler for the processor should be:

low thermal resistance and ensuring sufficient cooling.
good cooler compatibility. It should be put on as many types of processors as possible.
good cooler mount. It should be easily put and easy to remove.
must ensure sufficient cooling cache chips.
must be wear-resistant.
when working should not be made any vibration.
large coolers should be placed on all famous motherboards.

In any case, a good cooler is one that copes well with the cooling of the processor. The most famous are the following coolers: Aavid, Zalman, Elanvital, AVC, Tennmax.

Coolers for processors

Consider popular CPUs compatible with modern sockets.

Akasa Venom Voodoo.

Two fans are added to Venom Voodoo. You can control their speed using the PWM splitter through the motherboard connector. The set of supply of the cooler allows you to install and on earlier platforms. A grid is located at the top of the Venom Voodoo cooler. It does not affect cooling, and is made simply taking into account the design.

Akasa Venom Voodoo.

Akasa cooler has a fairly effective design. It contains six heat pipes in checkers, quickly distinguished heat from the processor. The AKASA installation kit includes everything you need to install on different platforms, from AMD AM2 socket to Intel LGA 2011.

Mounting for akasa.

Special Akasa racks are screwed into the built-in support bar located on the LGA 2011 socket. The installation process goes quickly and easily.

The retractor fan is installed on a concave side of the radiator, and on the other hand, it is made of final.

Best cooler

Arctic Cooling Freezer i30

The AC company operates in the market of inexpensive equipment and supports only a few interfaces, which makes it possible to keep an acceptable price. Includes two fasteners for LGA 2011 and LGA 1155/1156 sockets. There is also an additional fastening kit that allows you to fasten the top bracket directly to the LGA 2011 interface.

Arctic Cooling Freezer i30

To reduce the cost, only four thermal tubes with one fan located on a large cooling radiator are used in this model. Thermal tubes are installed close to each other to increase the area of \u200b\u200bcontact and reduce gaps.

The installation kit of this model is very simple and does not support LGA 1366, only for LGA 2011 and LGA 1155/1156 sockets.

Before installing the two transition brackets of the Freezer I30 cooler set, metal gaskets are installed on the LGA 2011 Socket LGA support plate for bolts. On the Crusades, you need to fasten the transition bar using two short screws.

Arctic Cooling Freezer i30

To complete the installation of the cooler, you need to attach the fan to the radiator and connect the power.

Arctic Cooling Freezer

CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO

The Hyper 212 EVO cooler set includes: a small tube thermal staple, installation bracket for LGA 2011 and cooler. The Hyper 212 EVO design includes four thermal tubes.

cooler Hyper 212.

Thermal tubes in contact with the processor are located as close as possible with each other. This technology is called Continuous Direct Contact. The base is well polished. The installation bracket is foldable, which gives good access between radiator and base. The decomposed bracket must be easily screwed into the LGA 2011 built-in plate. The cooler is fixed with a steel pin on the top plate.

Continuous Direct Contact

The fan is installed on the radiator and connects to the board.

Continuous Direct Contact

COOLINK COOTOR DS

Cost Corator DS made it possible to reduce the minimum set set, only for LGA 2011. But there are three holes on the installation brackets, and then the cooler can support smaller processor interfaces.

The fan is located in the middle of the cooler

The cooler has semi-shut-off tubes located under a homogeneous piece of copper.

Radiator

When installing, first in the support plate, you need to screw the support bolts, and install the Crosses of the installation brackets and hold on top of nuts. The factory bracket is screwed to the cross brackets from the set.

The fan must be installed between two radiators and connect the power to the board.

Installing the radiator on the motherboard

Corsair A70.

In this cooler, two fans is created by the "Tanya-Pull" system. Corsair has added a splitter to connect them to one power connector on the board. Fans do not support PWM adjustment (PWM) and speed control is carried out through the firmware.

The Corsair A70 radiator on one side has a concave form to improve air output from the center. Thermal tubes are separated by a layer of aluminum, from which the basis is made.

When installing for AMD interfaces, a snatching bracket is used. In this cooler, the fastener screws are screwed from the inside of the base A70. The reference panel and the cooler bracket are pulled by nuts and screws.

aMD interface

To complete the installation, you must install the fans and connect the power.

aMD interface

ENERMAX ETS-T40

The aluminum strip on the fan has been added to ETS-T40. This is an advantage among coolers with equal performance.

The installation kit is designed for AMD and Intel platforms. A set of bolts does not require the presence of a support plank of the LGA 2011 socket. The radiator roam support the "pull-push" system of two fans, for this there is a second set of clamps. The foundation of ETS-T40 is made using direct contact technology.

GELID GX-7

GX-7 supports two fans. Intel, AMD, AMD interfaces are supported by AMD. You can choose the direction of the air flow by turning the GX-7 cooler 90 °.

The concave shape of the face of the cooler creates the direction of air to the radiator center. The blades of the fan are highlighted by LEDs, although the frame itself is not transparent.

Mount for Gelid GX-7

To ensure optimal contact with the processor, the base was made in the form of a matte, thoroughly processed, copper block.

To ensure the support of two fans, the central part of the radiator was reduced, which reduced the cooled surface. I had to add the fifth heat pipe.

Cooler for Gelid GX-7

Silenx EFZ-120HA5

Silenx provides collectors most silent cooling. The installation set provides support for AMD AM2 / 3 and Intel LGA sockets. The second set of screws allows you to install a bracket for LGA 1366 on the built-in LGA 2011 reference bar.

The presence in the EFZ-120HA5 set of installation rubber pads makes it possible to assemble the configuration of "pull-push" using two fans. But the kit comes only one fan having a diameter of 120 mm. Three heat pipes are located V-figuratively, which is necessary to remove more air through the radiator center.

Radiator for Silenx EFZ-120HA5

The Silenx setup set contains a bracket suitable for all popular sockets (from AMD Socket 939 to AM3 +, from LGA 775 to 2011), a basic bar supporting most common interfaces (except LGA 2011), set of installation screws for LGA 2011.

Cooler for Silenx EFZ-120HA5

Installing this model is the most difficult to install a fan. First, four rubber T-shaped buttons are pushed into special holes on the fan located on the reverse side. After that, the top of the button slipped into the radiator hollow.

Xigmatek Venus XP-SD1266

Xigmatek Venus provides support for all recent interfaces. intel processors and AMD. In this model, the radiator is slightly increased and it is equipped with a 120-millimeter fan, providing high-performance cooling at an affordable price. This model The AMD platform creates the correct direction of the air flow. The set has special bolts to support LGA 2011 socket.

The xigmatek uses a transparent frame with LEDs that highlighted the case well. You can adjust the degree of lighting. The cooler uses six heat pipes.

Radiator for xigmatek Venus XP-SD1266

The combination of small size and good heat capacity is an excellent option for small systems. In the installation set of XigMatek, the brackets are marked for Intel and AMD. Although AMD braces have holes also for the Intel interface. For fan, rubber buttons are used as the XigMatek fastener.

Cooler for xigmatek Venus XP-SD1266

Cooling central processor It is a fundamental factor in the performance and speed of the computer. What would powerful processor You did not stand, with bad cooling, the system will slow down, issue errors and spontaneously reboot (off). Earlier, the processors did not provide a special controller, which, when a certain verge of temperature, gave a reboot command or shutdown, which subsequently led to a breakdown, without the possibility of repair.

And at least now such controllers are embedded, the increased temperature of the processor can significantly affect functionality And do not issue the stated characteristics. That is why high quality installation of a cooler on the processor very important.

There are two types of cooling: active, passive.

The passive is the installation of only the radiator, which is energy efficiently, but has less high-quality characteristics, compared with active.
The actively applies the installation of the radiator to which the fan is fixed. Also, the active are the radiators that independently distinguish the cold, the so-called Peltier chips.

The most popular cooling system is a radiator with a cooler. This system provides quite maximum efficiency and is relatively inexpensive. The only defect can not be noted. It's no secret that the fan produces not only the cold, but also the noise is quite loud, the same goes and the computer fan. But, running the cold air in the radiator slots, there is a constant cooling, which is necessary for the processor. Also, when an abundant noise appears, it is always recommended to lubricate the fan rotor with machine oil. In no case do not use vegetable oil for lubrication, because after drying it, the fan will stop working, and the subsequent analysis may be impossible

The structure of the cooler and the main components

As already mentioned, the main task of the cooler is the distribution of heat that highlights the processor, thereby cooling the component. For this, the flat side of the radiator, which is called the sole, is tightly fixed to the processor. All heat that is allocated to the processor falls on the base of the radiator and diverges through the entire body.

Aluminum, copper and combined alloys from copper and aluminum are used as a material for the manufacture of the radiator. It is worth noting that the copper cooler provides the most, but its cost is quite high, and the mass can be up to one kilogram.

For the greatest effect, the fan is fixed to the top of the radiator. They are axial or radial.

Axial fans are usual, with a propeller of the air flow of which is directed along the axis of rotation. In the radial coolers, the air flow is directed perpendicularly. It consists of several impellers. This type of fans is much larger in size, and also consumes significantly more energy, but the quality of cooling is much better, compared to axial.

Installing Coolers for AMD Processors

The process of installing the cooler is quite simple, but requires care and a hurry in this process will be anything. To place a cooler on the processor, follow these steps:

If you purchased a new cooler, most likely, a thermal paste is placed on the radiator sole. In this case, you can move to clause 3, but if the thermal paste is not applied, it must be placed;
issimate some thermal paste on the fixed processor (as a rule, this paste is placed in the syringes). The abundant layer of this material will not lead to a greater effect, and may also harm, because the cooler in this case will be placed away from the processor. Distribute it all over the area;

Apply the thermal chaser for the processor

Installing a cooler on Intel processors

On the principle of fixing the cooler, it does not differ from the installation on the AMD crystal. The only difference is the fastening itself. It consists of four pins, which are inserted into special grooves and when turning 90 degrees is made a dense fix.

Pin is taken to the groove

Many experts argue that such a mount is not reliable and recommended to use a screw mount, which can be separately purchased or supplied directly with the cooler. In this case, a special plate is placed on the back side. Next, a lining of four plates placed on the cooler are made and then it is necessary to twist the bolts and a full-fledged fixation.

Selection of cooler

The coolers differ only only by the method of fastening, as well as cooling efficiency. The more productive processor, the more powerful cooler needs to be purchased.

If you decide to purchase a fan, try to choose more slow to reduce the noise, as well as identical sizes so that it can be tightly fixed.

Updated - 2017-02-16

Installing a cooler on the processor is not so much difficult as a very responsible operation when assembling a computer. Any processor needs good cooling. Therefore, it is necessary to correctly choose the cooling system. Not all cooler will suit your motherboard. It should also correspond to the socket (connector) on the motherboard, otherwise you simply do not install it.

Different microprocessors are produced different cooling systems. This is not done certainly not for our convenience, but in order to survive firms in fierce competition. Therefore, computer equipment "with a whistle" is changing.

Instead of improving the already made, invent all new and new ones, so that competitors did not capture the sales market. And we only have time to change computers, because all components are not so much outlawed as they change their forms and methods of connection. You will start to change one detail, and it already pulls over everything else.

Therefore, before changing something well, read or ask the specialists that you will have to change the "steam locomotive".

If you decide to repair or assembling a computer, then read these articles:

So, if the motherboard has a Socket 775, then the cooler must be Socket 775. True, universal coolers have already appeared. They are much more expensive, and the installation of them is so puzzling that not every newcomer cope with it.

We choose a simple and cheap cooler.

Cooler Socket 775.

Motherboard with Socket 775

Look carefully on this photo of the motherboard. See the corners from a socket with a white point processor? These are holes for fastening the cooler. In them, he will be attached to the motherboard.

Again, I repeat, if you doubt that you can easily choose the necessary cooler, it is better to consult a specialist or seller. Immediately ask if there is a necessary thermal chaser for him.

It is necessary for dense adjacent radiator to the processor crystal. Without it, you can not do. Often it is attached to the cooler, and happens, and no. So, it is better to immediately ask about this seller than at the last moment to look for it.

Before you do repair or upgrade your computer - do not forget to de-energize everything first.

It happens that the paste is already applied to the radiator. Anyway, I advise you to carefully wipe it with alcohol or cologne and apply a new one.

This review is a generalization. personal experience, well-known information and data from empirical measurements. If you are not interested in author's theoretical fabrications and well-known facts, you can go immediately to the second and third parts, where compatibility data is directly given. specific models Boards and coolers with each other. Either look into the findings where the basic theses of this article are summarized in short.

Formulation of the problem

After reading the name, you can think that all compatibility problems between coolers and motherboards are tritely exhausted whether the mounting of a cooling system is supported by one of the few relevant processor connectors today. In fact, most of the non-stock coolers are now universal in terms of compatibility. Why? Everything is very simple. AMD has changed at all in the attachments since the AM2 socket. That is, all subsequent AM2 +, AM3, AM3 +, FM1, FM2 and FM2 + connectors are completely identical in terms of installation of coolers.

The most progressive Intel LGA1150 connector completely inherited an amplifier plate and the location of the mounting holes (75x75 mm) from the sockets of LGA1155 and LGA1156.

The mansion is only intel LGA2011, which is far from all cooling systems there will be suitable fasteners (and not all coolers come to it in efficiency).

Many still use Intel LGA775 or Intel LGA1366 connectors, but they gradually come out of operation due to the venerable age. Thus, in the "desktop" segment of solutions, we, in fact, there are only three types of connectors: Intel LGA115X, Intel LGA2011 and AMD. Make a universal fastening at all. But let's still figure it out more detailed, because the motherboard has many other elements on itself, in addition to the processor connector. In addition to capacitors, transistors and chips, there are expansion slots, memory slots, transistor radiators and chipset, a variety of wire connectors. With each of these elements, the cooler is able to conflict in dimensions.

As a result, supporting the radiator mount of a processor connector is not a guarantee of cooler compatibility with motherboard. There are no uniform standards that manufacturers hold motherboards and cooling systems? Of course, they are, but there are many aspects that are simply stipulated. And the only manufacturer of cooling systems, which immediately approached the issue of compatibility of the cooler and the motherboard, is the Austrian brand Noctua.

For each of their products, appropriate information is provided on the official website. But this does not always happen enough. Therefore, I propose to consider all possible problems separately.

Compatibility of a cooler with a processor connector

As mentioned above, the first thing to see when choosing a cooler is the official support of a particular processor connector. This information It is indicated on the manufacturer's official website and is a 95% compatibility guarantee. What falls into the remaining 5% of cases that can lead to return of goods in the store? There come to:

1) conflicts on dimensions on the front side of the motherboard during installation.

As a rule, the main troubles deliver massive power chains radiators that conflict or directly with the processor radiator, or with the elements of its fastening.

Or some condenser located too close to the processor connector rests on any of the elements of the cooler. There may still be the impossibility of the proper installation of the cooler due to limited access To the fastening elements, in other words, it will not get to them.

2) conflicts when installing an amplifying plate with elements located on the back of the motherboard.

If the cooler is equipped with a non-standard amplifier plate, it can deliver a number of inconvenience to the user. It can be like physical contact with chips or fragments of soldering on the back of the motherboard and the excess of the permissible dimensions of the plate thickness, which prevents the motherboard to secure the motherboard.

Therefore, when installing a cooler, it is better to make sure that the mentioned conflicts are missing. Otherwise, at best, there is an insufficient fit of the cooler or overheating, in the worst - damage to the motherboard.

Features of the processor design with respect to the device and orientation of the cooler

Although this question does not apply directly to the topic of the article, it is still worth mentioning. It so happened that the size of the processor crystal decreased year after year, following the decreasing process of its manufacturing. The linear dimensions of the protective cover of the central processor that protects the crystal from damage remained the same. For example, for aMD processors And Intel LGA2011 The size of the processor cover is 38x38 mm, a rather large crystal is under the lid. And for Intel LGA 115x sockets, the lid size is only 22x22 mm, while the size of the crystal under it is less. Now we produce a simple calculation: the standard diameter of the heat pipe is 6 mm. Therefore, for the complete overlap of the Intel LGA115X cover, there are enough thermal tubes.

And on the AMD processor, all six will fit.

From here, it is necessary to understand the difference between the base of the cooler of direct and solid contact. The advantage of direct contact is that there are no extra obstacles to the spread of heat. The disadvantage is that if the heat pipes do not fall directly in the warm zone on the processor, their effectiveness becomes extremely low. That is, direct contact is not the most the best choice For small-scale Intel LGA15X, especially if the heat pipes in the cooler are more than four - all the others are simply idle without work.

But it is pretty a good option For larger AMD and Intel LGA2011. The advantage of the solid base of the cooler is a uniform, albeit a slower heat distribution to a greater number of tubes. Therefore, it is somewhat universal.

Another aspect that affects compatibility is the orientation of the cooler. Many models, especially when installed on Intel sockets, allow you to choose one of the four orientations. In this case, not only the quality of heat transfer changes (since the heat pipes change their position relative to the crystal), but also the direction of the air flow, and the possible conflict points with the main elements of the motherboard.

Compatibility Cooler with RAM

Conflicts between the cooler and the RAM are determined by how close they are located. Total three options. First, the dimensions of the cooler can cover the memory slot completely either partially, limiting the allowable height of the plank or making impossible installation Memory without dismantling a cooler.

Secondly, the radiator can overlap the memory slot completely when it is impossible to install any memory with this cooler in the slot. Thirdly, the cooler may not touch the plane with the memory slot, and this is the best option.

Problems most often arise from the first from the processor slot, somewhat less often - with the second. Large two-section cooling systems tend to cover at once all four memory slots. It is especially difficult to unhappy owners of Intel LGA2011, because there the memory is located immediately from both sides of the processor and the problem with the choice of the cooler will arise in the overwhelming majority of cases.

If you do not go into disputes about the practical value of high scallops of radiators for the memory of the DDR3 standard, then standard strips random access memory can be divided into three categories:

1) low-profile (LP) - height is slightly less than 19 mm (there are options with low radiators);

2) Standard (SP) - the height is exactly 30 mm (can be both with radiators and without them);

3) High (HP) - all that is higher than 30 mm.

It is possible that on DDR4 and DDR5, due to increased heating, the benefits from additional cooling will be greater. But so far, it is the memory with the Radiators of the HP category does not bring anything other than the problems to users, limiting them in choosing suitable cooling systems.

Couple compatibility with expansion slots

As you know, different sizes of the boards have a different amount of PCI slots of expansion. MINI-ITX is only one.

Micro-ATX and its derivatives have up to four slots.

ATX and E-ATX have no more than seven slots.

XL-ATX and HPTX can take up to nine expansion slots. Moreover, the first two slots sometimes are sometimes missing, and the installation of the expansion cards can begin immediately from the second or third slots.

Expansion slots are interesting to us primarily by the fact that their position and size (each slot has exactly 20 mm in width) is clearly spelled out in the ATX standard, unlike the processor connector, the location of which is by no means fixed relative to the motherboard form factor. The risk of conflict with a cooler in dimensions, as a rule, is subjected to the first slot and very rarely the second, because there are only a few such monstrual cooling systems. How to predict a conflict? If the cooler has a width of more than 130 mm, you should double-check compatibility. If it has a size of more than 140 mm - it is already with a high probability of the first slot will be closed. But it is worth remembering that the socket still can be too close to the first PCI-E slot. This constitutes a small problem for ATH boards, because there, as a rule, there is only PCI-E X1 on the site of the first slot, and the full PCI-E x16 starts from the second slot and further. But for MicroAtx and Mini-ITX boards, the current moment may pour out in great inconvenience with the selection of the cooling system. In addition, some video cards have a very large amplifier plate on the reverse side (for example, massive pieces of metal on ASUS video cards) or superstructure (remember the non-thin quiet word GPU Reactor on MSI video cards), which makes the conflict with the processor cooler even more likely.

Exotic compatibility issues

Sometimes there are also extremely rare options for conflicts of the cooler and the motherboard, such as the inability to connect the power of the processor, the closed connector of the processor fan, the exit of the cooler for the dimensions of the motherboard and the impossibility of its installation in the case and so on. Unfortunately, such moments are predicted extremely difficult, and they already find out during the installation process. In addition, on some motherboards under AMD processor The connector is rotated 90 degrees - perpendicular to the rear panel. This circumstance requires special attention when choosing a cooling system, because not only the position of possible "conflict" points changes, but also the direction of air flows.

Cooler Height and Case

Another parameter that indirectly relates to the problem of compatibility of coolers, there is a correspondence of their dimension in height from the width of the PC housing. There is a fairly simple way to establish this compliance, having a body on hand and knowing the official declared height of the cooler. The fact is that the size and position of the back of the motherboard is standard, regardless of the body format. The right edge of the plug is at a height of 37 mm, relative to the plane of the processor cover. Therefore, measuring the distance from the specified edge to the nearest obstacle (for example, the side wall of the housing) and adding 37 mm to it, we obtain the permissible height of the cooler in the housing with an accuracy of +/- 1 mm.

Thus, we reviewed all possible conflict points when installing and using a processor cooler. Now let's turn to the practical verification of this theory, in order to determine whether such conflicts are really found often. Zalman Coolers and Intel LGA1150 Socket

This section provides listes of compatibility of eleven actual Zalman's air coolers and ten MSI motherboards based on the Intel LGA1150 socket and the Intel Z87 system logic set. Lists were compiled taking into account all those mentioned in the first section of the possibilities of compatibility conflict. All coolers were directly installed on motherboards, in all possible orientations to exclude incompatibility. Interpretation of the results includes: possible orientations of the cooling system, the position relative to the first expansion slot, the position relative to the memory slots, marked conflicts on the facial and reverse side of the board. Green marked non-conflict positions, yellow - conflicts that do not interfere with the installation of the cooler or the use of the system, red is marked in the impossibility of installing the cooling system or system launch.

MSI Z87 XPower (XL-ATX)

Apart from the three younger Zalman models, everything else is set without any problems. The first memory slot is traditionally closed in the overwhelming majority.

MSI Z87 MPOWER (ATX)

Despite the standard form factor, large radiators on the transistors of power circuits make the installation of three coolers impossible and strongly complicate the installation of all other models. Stably turn out to be closed two slots of memory. Probably, the fee is more suitable for installing hydrodlocks than air cooling systems.

MSI Z87 MPOWER MAX (ATX)

Even larger radiators of transistors than on the usual MPOWER, prevent the installation of five coolers from 11 tested. However, the most running models, for example, Zalman CNPS10X and 11X are mounted without problems. The first memory slot is often covered with a radiator or a fan of a processor cooling system.

MSI Z87-G43 (ATX)

The most problematic for this fee was Zalman CNPS14X, Zalman CNPS 8900QUIET and Zalman CNPS 8000B. In addition to the conflict of fasteners and heat pipes, a problem in the form of a capacitor appeared for the first time, located too close to the processor connector and interfering with a cooler.

MSI Z87-G45 Gaming (ATX)

It has practically the same problems that MSI Z87-G43.

MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming (ATX)

Conflict with the first memory slot, as well as with the mounting of Zalman CNPS14X and the socket strapping in the case of Zalman CNPS 8900QUIET. Otherwise, everything is standard.

MSI Z87M Gaming (Micro-ATX)

The most problematic cooler - Zalman CNPS14X, although all the other large with stably closes the first PCI-E slot, and most coolers close the first slot of RAM. Installation recommended average single-track models of processor coolers.

MSI Z87M-G43 (Micro-ATX)

The compatibility has a lot in common with MSI Z87M Gaming. The surprise was the impossibility of installing the Zalman CNPS 5X Performa cooler in a vertical position. The attachment screw rested into the radiator of the motherboard.

MSI Z87I Gaming AC (Mini-ITX)

Although the processor connector is too close to the memory and the only PCI-E slot, it turned out that playing with the orientation of the radiator, most coolers can be installed on the fee. But large radiators, in any case, will close the connector for the video adapter. The compatibility outsider traditionally became Zalman CNPS14X. The exotic conflict also appeared at Zalman CNPS8000B - in one of the positions, its thermal tubes did not allow the possibility to connect the power of the processor fan.

MSI Z87I (Mini-ITX)

Compatibility scheme is completely similar to MSI Z87i Gaming AC, since the essence of the board is the same.

Zalman coolers and AMD FM2 + Socket

This section provides listes of compatibility of eleven actual Zalman air coolers and six MSI motherboards based on AMD FM2 + socket. Lists were compiled taking into account all those mentioned in the first section of the possibilities of compatibility conflict. All coolers were directly installed on motherboards, in all possible orientations to exclude incompatibility. Interpretation of the results includes: possible orientations of the cooling system, the position relative to the first expansion slot, the position relative to the memory slots, marked conflicts on the facial and reverse side of the board. Green marked non-conflict positions, yellow - conflicts that do not interfere with the installation of the cooler or the use of the system, red is marked in the impossibility of installing the cooling system or system launch.

MSI A88X-G43 (ATX)

In general, the board is compatible with most coolers, provided that the first PCI-E X1 will not be used. As always, the occasionally closes the first slot, and the radiators of transistors are not best combined with horizontal radiators.

MSI A88X-G45 Gaming (ATX)

Compatibility with processor coolers, the board is completely similar to the MSI A88X-G43 model.

MSI A88XM Gaming (Micro-ATX)

Large CNPS12X and FX100 are not suitable for this board, but the rest of the coolers become normal. Occasionally it turns out to be closed the first slot of memory, and large coolers cover the second slot and the first PCI-E connector.

MSI A78M-E45 (Micro-ATX)

This fee is badly combined with large-sized CNPS12X and FX100, but the rest of the coolers become normal. Sometimes the first memory slot is closed.

MSI A55M-E33 (Micro-ATX)

Despite the minor sizes, this motherboard is compatible with most Zalman coolers, except CNPS12X, which closes the first PCI-E slot. The first memory slot is located close to the processor connector, therefore it is also often closed.

MSI A88XIAC (MINI-ITX)

The smallest and most problematic motherboard. Since chips on the reverse side of the processor connector conflict with a non-standard amplifying plate, only two coolers have managed - Zalman CNPS 5X Performa and Zalman CNPS 7X. Although they do not interfere with RAM, but overlap the PCI-E connector in any orientation.

conclusions

As the study showed, officially declared support for the processor cooler of one or another connector is not a guarantee of its unhindered installation on the motherboard. The overwhelming majority of manufacturers of cooling systems are equipped with universal attachment sets, but verification of the actual compatibility of motherboards and coolers is considered by the user's dating. Therefore, we will try to formulate several universal tips capable of simplifying the selection of the processor cooler:

Do not strive to install the most powerful cooling system on the processor, pay attention to it. constructive features - The number and location of heat pipes. Their configuration must correspond to the type of processor used. Ideally, in the central, the most warm zone of the processor cover should get the maximum number of thermal tubes. The direct contact of the thermal tubes is more suitable for AMD and Intel LGA2011 processors than for Intel LGA115X, and the solid base of the cooler soles is a more versatile solution.

Pay attention to the features of the cooler and the dimensions of the complete amplifier plate. They can conflict with the elements of the motherboard on the facial or reverse side.

Most cooling systems can be focused on Intel sockets in any of the four directions. AMD socketsAs a rule, such an opportunity is devoid of economy on fasteners by coolers.

The position of the socket relative to the remaining elements of the board is "mobile", so the visual similarity with a similar fee on which the cooler placed does not make sure that he will become on yours.

If you wish to use memory with high radiators, think over the sets of two, and not four planks. Then the conflict first slot will be empty, and pick up the cooler will become much easier.

The most frequent on the motherboards of ATX format are cooler conflicts with the first slot of RAM and transistor radiators.

The owners of MICROATX motherboards should be avoided too large in the width of cooling systems, otherwise the first PCI-E slot will be closed. In relation to radiators of transistors and RAM, the situation is the same as with ATX form factor.

MINI-ITX motherboards are most facilitated in terms of compatibility with large coolers. Apparently, such fees were initially calculated only under stock coolers, from where all other problems arise. Picking up the cooler to them, you need to pay attention to the location of the processor connector, the presence on the reverse side of the "extra" elements that can conflict with an amplifier plate, the presence of large power circuit radiators on the front side, the ability to exceed by cooler of the size of the board and conflict with the case when installed. The use of low-profile RAM can help solve a choice dilemma of both a large vertical and low horizontal cooler.

The following features were noticed in relation to the tested coolers Zalman. The most loyal to the memory (in most cases it simply does not touch it) and the Zalman CNPS11x Performa is convenient in the installation. Older Versions of Zalman CNPS10X Optima and Performa are still the best choice on a combination of price, compatibility, power and ease of use. If you need to do with a smaller cooler, then Zalman CNPS7x is also suitable, which almost never intersects with memory or first PCI-E slot and, unlike Zalman CNPS5X Performa, has a quiet and replaceable fan. The most problematic compatibility coolers Zalman steel: CNPS14X (large size, universal mount), CNPS12X (displaced radiator symmetry axis, direct contact tube), FX100 (large size) and Zalman CNPS 8000B (flat shape, discover thermal tubes).