The height of your CPU cooler may not be the sexiest specification to consider in any PC build, but consumers and case manufacturers should be paying more attention to it, according to Noctua. According to the firm’s recent testing, there are a surprising number of chassis out there that can either accommodate larger coolers or, more worryingly, can’t fit the size they specify.
In a recent blog post, Noctua explains that it has discovered discrepancies between manufacturers’ listings for maximum CPU cooler height and its own measurements. In some cases (pun intended), the difference could be as large as 10mm (1cm), potentially robbing you of the chance to use a more powerful cooling option.
Nowhere are differences like this more important than in the world of SFF (small form factor) PC cases, as Noctua rightly highlights. The firm points to the NZXT H2 Flow as a popular example, in which there’s a 75mm ceiling for CPU cooler height on paper. However, there’s actually enough room here to support models measuring 79mm tall, allowing previously off-the-table options, such as the NH-L12Sx77, to enter a build.
While unfulfilled cooling potential is inarguably irritating, it’s much better than a failure to deliver promised compatibility. Noctua gives the Lian Li B4-mATX as an example of a case that falls short of catering to its claimed support for 168mm coolers, topping out at 164.5mm instead, meaning an NH-D15 G2 wouldn’t fit, despite on-paper specifications suggesting otherwise.
Noctua has tested over 100 cases so far, and has discovered 56 examples of deviation. The firm has since implemented a new tooltip into its existing case compatibility database that highlights any deviations that were found versus the manufacturer’s claims.
Without thoroughly understanding both Noctua’s measuring methodology, and those of individual case manufacturers, it’s unclear how the two parties have arrived at different values. Regardless, this data should make finding the right Austrian cooling goodness for your system easier, saving you from nasty shocks, while also sometimes opening up doors to more-powerful options.
Have you ever wondered how Noctua landed on its trademark beige-brown colour scheme? Well, you can learn the answer yourself by reading our recent interview with the company.
