Easy to install air cooler Velox 5600x Dark Hero

I made the same decision recently.

Originally posted by 17blue17 I have not installed one for over 10 years and I want something easy to install that will fit.

Similar... I hadn't done it since the days of retention mounts being standard. Ha!

Anyway...

With their reputation, I decided to go with Noctua -- which I indeed hadn't used before.

My NH-U9S review

OCPD was probably the root cause of mentioning the mounting trouble. I put extra time into very carefully spreading the paste and the fact I needed to shift the cooler even the slightest after contact to have the screws line up was depressing. It didn't affect the rating.

If you go with Noctua, I think the NH-U12S would do well.

The NH-D15S could run even quieter. However, I'm not sure it would fit, namely height. I assume so, but cannot guarantee. I am unable to find the CPU cooler height clearance for the Velox X.

Edited by MrCheetah - 05 Oct 2021 at 11:14pm

Thank you for the replies.

I have heard about the ram stick issue but I don't know enough to measure. I don't want to try to install and find out there is a problem.

I also don't want to crack the board or have to pull the whole board to install a cooler.

Both of which is why I was hoping someone with the same setup could recommend something.

Does it make sense that when the fan speeds up the game would pause/temp freeze?   This only happens with the one game and I think a lot of math is going on with fleets attacking each other but still why a slow down due to fans speeding up?

Thank you! Interesting when I asked several months ago Digital Storm refused to install after market coolers. I appreciate the information.

Ok I appreciate all the feedback. I have ordered a NH-D15S chromax black and Noctua cleaning wipes.

I have also watched a few videos. It appears I do not have to pull the board to install.

I saw one review claiming the brackets will not work with a dark hero and other saying it worked fine. Never can trust reviews any more so I appreciate the feed back here.

Thanks again.      

Well Update   

I carefully watched videos and then started the operation.

1) the wraith cooler that came with the 5600x is not like the videos.

2) the cpu came out with the wraith and then when I tried to separate the two the cpu fell in the case and bent a whole line of pins - REST IN PEACE 5600X. You lived almost 4 months.

3) before I realized the bent pins I tried to install the Noctua NH-D15S. It is a pain in the @!$%%$## in trying to line up the 2 screws to attach to the bracket. Every time I had to lift up a little the cpu came out again. Maybe if I had removed the whole board??? Why do the cpu slide out so easy???

I now have a new 5950x coming from Amazon and I have sent a email request to the local computer repair store to see if they will install for me. Hopefully they know what they are doing......

Atleast it was a 5600x that died and not a 5950x.

Life goes on........ and it gave me an excuse to upgrade to the 5950x.

Its strange as I am currently using my 10 year old digital storm and other than slower boot and slower backups there is not that much difference for the games I play compared to the 5600x   

Edited by 17blue17 - 10 Oct 2021 at 9:25pm

Originally posted by 17blue17 the cpu came out with the wraith

I don't know if it'll make you feel better. That has happened to most of us at one point.

Originally posted by 17blue17 It is a pain in the @!$%%$## in trying to line up the 2 screws to attach to the bracket.

Interesting... As I mentioned earlier, I thought it was mostly my pickiness. Because, I lined it up perfectly the first time. However, that was a practice run without thermal paste. After spreading the paste, the cooler did require a half-dozen or so shifts to line up both screws.

Edited by MrCheetah - 10 Oct 2021 at 11:05pm

Originally posted by 17blue17 Like I said the wraith cooler with the 5600x had no latch or clips. It had 4 spring loaded screws.

Yeah. The latch-type mechanism is old school now. That was the last type of cooler I worked with before the Noctua swap. So, this latest cooler install was a somewhat new experience for me as well.

Originally posted by 17blue17 I loosened the screws and the springs pop it up with the cpu attached. Boom Instant.

I just rewatched the video and... Yeah... He does forget to mention another key/helpful action. It isn't obvious, but he's (no doubt) applying a little pressure while undoing the first latch to prevent the cooler from popping up. Additionally, thermal paste can create a good suction, even after twisting the cooler. With the four screw square layout, it's best to perform a few rotations on each screw in diagonal fashion (e.g., top-left then bottom-right then top-right then bottom-left and repeat).

Originally posted by 17blue17 When you installed did you have to remove the entire board first in order to see to line things up?

Fortunately, no -- was a tight fit though. I did lay the PC down for the entire process. I also had a folded, thin towel underneath to hold the underside mounting bracket in place (i.e., tight enough to the back of the motherboard) while fastening the front brackets. To attach the cooler to the bracket, I needed to shift and twist the tower a little before either of the two screws would catch.

Edited by MrCheetah - 11 Oct 2021 at 4:07pm

It certainly wasn't fun and required far more time than expected -- between 1 and 1.5 hours total (disconnect setup, prep, swap coolers, reconnect setup)

That's awesome. I'm glad to hear you're up and running again. Let us know how you like the NH-D15S. :)

Incredible thread!

It was really an interesting read, it had stuff happen like always happens to me then suddenly everything worked out in the end.

Took a few dollars but you appreciated it beyond the simple dollars and show your gratitude that showed real respect for the Tech!

17blue17

I know the pucker factor you described. I am glad your upgraded system is up & operational now.