2500K/Asus P8P67 board - cooler compatibility issues

[Dadofamunky]

So I finally got started in earnest on my Sandy Bridge 2500K build. I've been holding on to a Zalman CNPS10x Performa cooler for awhile and decided to use it with this build. I also have Corsair Dominator 3 sticks with the high-profile coolers. This is the basic Asus P8P67 mobo.

I'm here to tell you that this is an unworkable combination. There is no way this cooler will ever fit with this board model. I am struck by how cramped the space immediately around the CPU socket really is on this board. In fact, the stock Intel cooler is a tight fit!

The biggest problem is the RAM. Even with low-profile DDR3 RAM, reasonably large coolers will never fit on this board. I plan on doing some reasonable OCing with this setup - it's one of the big reasons why I'm building this thing.

I really don't want to give up the RAM or the mobo and go through the hassle and possible additional expense involved in replacing them. Nor, unless I was absolutely left with no choice, am I interested in watercooling.

Is there ANYTHING that will fit this thing? Say, the CM Hyper 212+ that everybody seems to be buying for this type of rig?

I swear, it feels like I'll never get this thing done. I've rarely been so frustrated.

 

[Patmage]

I'm using a Tuniq 120 Extreme. It blocks out the 4th ram slot though to any high profile ram. I'm just using 2x4gig sticks though so it works. The top left corner was a bit cramped, but it does fit. Still disappointed that they put the cpu so close to the ram slots though, my old evga 775 socket board seemed like it had so much more working space.

I haven't messed around with overclocking to extensively yet, but at 4.4ghz the highest coretemp has shown for me is 51c. So I'm very happy with it so far.

edit: I should mention I have the P8P67 PRO, but I think the overall placement is the same. Could be wrong though.

 

[Dadofamunky]

It sounds like you're using DIMM A2 and B2 and not putting a stick in DIMM slot A1 at all. Am I correct? (DIMM A1 is the closest one to the CPU.)

Looks like I'll have to get a Prolimatech Megahalems or something like that, go passive cooling.

 

[Patmage]

Correct. The board recommends that you use A2 and B2 for a 2 stick setup. It seemed odd, but worked with my setup.

 

[Dadofamunky]

Ah, darn it, with the fan on the heat sink both A1 and A2 DIMMS are physically dominated. I was hoping to go with a dual-fan push-pull arrangement but this setup won't allow it.

***EDIT*** Oh heck, here's a funny thing. The Zalman-packaged 120MM fan is too wide to fit in its prescribed position, and dominates the two closest DIMMs, but the 120mm fan I bought as the "pull" fan actually DOES fit with the DIMM A2 slot filled. And you're right, the manual does mandate an A2-B2 setup with 2 DIMMs. So I'm golden, I'l just swap their positions, lucky me buying a second fan at Fry's a couple hours ago that will actually fit. Sheesh. thanks for the tip.

I'm NEVER getting this done tonight, tho.

 

[markbond]

I am hoping to use a hyper 212 on a p8p67 pro with Gskill RipJaw RAM (2x2Gb). Some of the pics on the web look a bit of a tight fit. Can this cooler be fitted the the RAM easily be pulled in and out? I don't want to remove the cooler to get a RAM stick out!

Any tips?

Thanks

Mark

 

[Diogenes2]

I have P8P67 Pro with 212+ and have no problem getting RAM in and out of all 4 sockets.. Plenty of clearance ..

However, my RAM does not have any of those cool looking fins sticking up either.. ( Mushkin Silverline )

 

[1cito]

I am hoping to use a hyper 212 on a p8p67 pro with Gskill RipJaw RAM (2x2Gb). Some of the pics on the web look a bit of a tight fit. Can this cooler be fitted the the RAM easily be pulled in and out? I don't want to remove the cooler to get a RAM stick out!

Any tips?

Thanks

Mark

It will be a tight fit, but you should be good. I have a P8P67 with a 212+ and Ripjaws X Series RAM. Taking a RAM stick out of the closest slot to the CPU can be a pain (I got fatty fingers), but I just take the fan off the heat sink if needed.

 

[DrBoss]

I would recommend the Thermalright Archon.
It was developed for the exact issue you are having.
The Archon also has stellar performance.
http://www.thermalright.com/products/?act=data&id=172&cat_id=27

 

[magomago]

i have this board with a mugen 2 rev B and i haven't had any issues. i'm just using regular run of the mill ram with no special heat sinks, and things fit just fine....

if you are going to use ram sinks that increase the overall height of the ram, try to do your research ahead of time...not a board problem imo

 

[OmMeE]

I have a ZALMAN CNPS10X Extreme and P8P67 PRO... My cooler fits just fine... Im using slot A2 B2.

 

[stevexyz]

i have this board with a mugen 2 rev B and i haven't had any issues. i'm just using regular run of the mill ram with no special heat sinks, and things fit just fine....

if you are going to use ram sinks that increase the overall height of the ram, try to do your research ahead of time...not a board problem imo

is the mugen2 fan hanging above the first memory slot? if it is, then what's the height clearance below the fan? regular ram stick might fit under it. but how about ram stick with a little taller heatsink like the g.skill ripsaw? its heatsink is about 1cm taller than regular ones. do you think it has enough clearance to fit 4 ripsaw ram sticks?

i currently have a CM212+. 4 ripsaw ram sticks have a tight fit on the board with the CM212+. the heatsink of the first ram is just sticking up next to the fan (NOT under it). the fan and the heatsink are very close to each other but not touching. i'm wondering if the mugen2 fan is in the same position or not.