Problems with U14S and MSI G45 mobo (w/ 4 DIMMs)

[Flash]

So after installing the U14S, the fan is touching the 1st RAM heatsink. If I try to squeeze the ram, it is visibly pushed (the space between the 1st and 2nd is smaller than the space between 2-3-4th ram)
http://imgur.com/DCSzWTb
http://imgur.com/DCSzWTb

http://imgur.com/Vl11yYH

I was lead to believe that since D14 has clearance for all 4 DIMM's using G.skill Ripjaws, and that on noctua webpage it lists full compatibility with the MSI Z87-G45, I would not have any problems.

Right now I was forced to move the fan on the other side, towards the back. Ofc that gives terrible performance since I have the case exhaust fan there. My idle GPU temps went up by 3ºc and CPU idle temp by 8ºc.

Any suggestions what to do? I was thinking I could make the rear case fan an intake as well, but I believe I can't just simply rotate it, I need to buy another one as an intake?

 

[ruff0r]

What you could do it if it even helps you could remove CAREFULLY the Heatsink of the last ram module and get some more clearance.
Do it Carefully or you will void your warranty!

Dont worry to much about temperature it is more show then actually helping to cool them ram, as long as you dont pus anything beyond 1,65V

 

[marinexu]

it is kind of ghetto mod advice , but you can scrape/grind/abrade (i do not not know the exact english word) the fan (2-3 mm) where it touches the first dimm

 

[ruff0r]

it is kind of ghetto mod advice , but you can scrape/grind/abrade (i do not not know the exact english word) the fan (2-3 mm) where it touches the first dimm

Very good advice dosnt void the warranty on the DIMMs

 

[Flash]

it is kind of ghetto mod advice , but you can scrape/grind/abrade (i do not not know the exact english word) the fan (2-3 mm) where it touches the first dimm

That's one thing I thought, seeing how 2mm would make all the difference. I don't want to go around and start removing ram heatsinks.

What's the best tool to trim the plastic? Would be cool if I can make it look smooth

 

[Kursah]

Mount the fan higher? I have the same cooler and might have a similar issue and that would be my solution. It won't change how effective the cooling is...and 1-2mm is plenty. That or turn the cooler to exhaust vertically...my cooler fins clear my memory...the fan doesn't if mounted centered like it appears you have pictured. My cooler is placed to exhaust vertically in my case..,I'm not familiar with your case though...if it has top exhaust fans it's worth a shot...such an easy cooler to swap positions in 5 minutes or less.

 

[eidairaman1]

Get a Thinner Fan, Move the fan Upwards, Turn in The Cooler for a Scythe Ashura

So after installing the U14S, the fan is touching the 1st RAM heatsink. If I try to squeeze the ram, it is visibly pushed (the space between the 1st and 2nd is smaller than the space between 2-3-4th ram)
http://imgur.com/DCSzWTb

http://imgur.com/Vl11yYH

I was lead to believe that since D14 has clearance for all 4 DIMM's using G.skill Ripjaws, and that on noctua webpage it lists full compatibility with the MSI Z87-G45, I would not have any problems.

Right now I was forced to move the fan on the other side, towards the back. Ofc that gives terrible performance since I have the case exhaust fan there. My idle GPU temps went up by 3ºc and CPU idle temp by 8ºc.

Any suggestions what to do? I was thinking I could make the rear case fan an intake as well, but I believe I can't just simply rotate it, I need to buy another one as an intake?

 

[OneMoar]

its not the fan thats hitting its the shroud cut the shroud back don't mess with the dimms

 

[eidairaman1]

its not the fan thats hitting its the shroud cut the shroud back don't mess with the dimms

yeah cracking the mobo pcb/traces/contacts/slots or cracking the dimms pcb/traces/contacts

 

[OneMoar]

yeah cracking the mobo pcb/traces/contacts/slots or cracking the dimms pcb/traces/contacts

I doubt hes gonna hurt anything dim slots can take a fair bit of abuse I just don't see the need to cut on a 80.00 set of ram when you can just take a grinder or xacto to the fan just trim the bottom of the shroud back

 

[Kursah]

Those brackets allow vertical placement of the fan too, by a decent amount looking at my cooler..it can probably be adjusted enough to clear the memory without any negative effects to the cooling performance. Or like I suggested prior, changing the mount position of the cooler to vertical exhaust...as I have done seems to allow for plenty of headroom for at least semi-tall heat spreaders. I'm curious to see what the OP does.

Honestly I'd like to see it in person. I'm sure as-long-as the dimm doesn't have extreme pressure, little to no harm will come from it how it is. And if push comes to shove, fan modifications could happen, as suggested above a quick grind on the frame of the fan...wouldn't take much and it wouldn't hurt anything overall...

That stock fan is spendy though, and a very good one at that. I love my U14S...best air cooler I've ever owned.

 

[Flash]

Mount the fan higher? I have the same cooler and might have a similar issue and that would be my solution. It won't change how effective the cooling is...and 1-2mm is plenty. That or turn the cooler to exhaust vertically...my cooler fins clear my memory...the fan doesn't if mounted centered like it appears you have pictured. My cooler is placed to exhaust vertically in my case..,I'm not familiar with your case though...if it has top exhaust fans it's worth a shot...such an easy cooler to swap positions in 5 minutes or less.

If I mount the fan higher the side panel won't close. I barely have 1-2mm left as is, so if I want to close the panel I cannot move it any higher.

I don't know if I really want to change the direction, I dont have case fans on top. Not sure what you mean by exhaust, since I'm using the fan as a pull (into the heatsink). If I put the fan down, it would pull the hot hair from my GPU. if I put it up, I guess it will pull the air at the top of my case, which I assume it's quite warm (warm air goes up?), then whatever air passes through the heatsink gets sent into the GPU

 

[Kursah]

As I stated I'm not familiar with your case. Mine has 2x140MM top exhaust fans ( I prefer a case to have at least one top exhuast vent for a fan...heat rises and is accumulated there...why not have one?).

Bummer your case is narrow too...Well you can put a 120mm fan in place of that 150mm fan...and I'm sure a 140mm fan might work too. That might be enough to get you settled.

Mid post edit: I just looked at a Corsair 230T and a picture I found shows top exhaust spots for fans...so....why not have the cooler aim it's exhaust side (the side the hot air flows from..opposite of the single push fan placement) up and put your rear exhaust fan up there? Or even better, take one of the front intake fans and make it a top exhaust fan? Utilize that ventilation. I would honestly move the rear exhaust and upper intake fan to the top exhaust spots on the case, turn the cooler 90 degrees to direct it's hot air/exhaust upward and be done with it.