Question 1

Does it come in a box and is thermal paste included ?

Accepted Answer

Yes to both. It comes with a syringe of the Noctua thermal paste, which is pretty high quality. The box is actually pretty nice as far as boxes go.

Question 2

Does this come with thermal paste?

Accepted Answer

When I purchased it they included a syringe of Noctua thermal paste.

Question 3

Would this fan be sufficient enough to cool an i7 7700k (not overclocked)?

Accepted Answer

Noctua's website says this cooler is not suitable for overclocking and should be used with care on CPUs with more than 65W TDP. The i7 7700K has a 91W TDP and the i7 7700 non-k model has a 65W TDP.

Question 4

Will this work with an AM4 socket?

Accepted Answer

No, as it is this will only work with Intel Socket LGA 1150, 1151, 1155 and 1156. But Newegg does sell a Noctua NM-AM4-L9aL9i Mounting Kit which does make it compatible with the AM4 socket.

Question 5

Can I replace the fan with a different one?

Accepted Answer

I believe you can.  The fan is mounted on the radiator unit with screws.  It's a good Noctua quality fan.  Keep in mind that doing so would void any warranty and invalidate the cooling spec's for the unit since it is tested with the current combination.  I used it on a previous build and had no issues.  A good cooling solution for compact spaces.

Question 6

Will this a keep the CPU pretty cool, and is it somewhat quiet under load?

Accepted Answer

It keeps my i3-3220 nice and cool. Although they don't get very hot to begin with it is in a very, VERY tight case with almost no good ventilation. My GPU gets well over 90 Celsius in there and you can hear that fan wind up like crazy. The CPU on the other hand stays cool, reliable and quiet despite the excess heat from the GPU clogging the already tightly packed case with excess heat.

Noctua is a great brand, a premium brand, you won't be disappointed.

Question 7

install this?

Accepted Answer

the images may be a bit off putting as to how to install but it is very simple and I found it to be easy. if you have ever done a cooler install before, you will have no problem wit this. you will need to apply the thermal grease that is supplied. I have this on an asus matx motherboard and it does clear all memory sticks and all heatsinks with room to spare.
this is a GREAT cooler. extremely quiet and effective. well worth the money and highly recommended. good luck

Question 8

is this compatible or can fit with MSI Z87I Gaming AC Mini-ITX gaming motherboard??? Thanks in advance.

Accepted Answer

I'd say it probably will.  This heat sink doesn't go outside the processor restricted zone, (the little square drawn around the processor on the motherboard).  I don't have an ITX motherboard, but it's not a huge heat sink.  Very quiet, high quality product.

Question 9

Will this cooler fit my i3-2120 socket 1155?
I need something to reduce noise, but I am not having any real cooling issues with stock cooler.
Thanks,
tsteph2625

Accepted Answer

Yes and it never hurts to have added cooling. Most aftermarket CPU Coolers are of a much higher quality than what comes with your CPU. Noctua is one of, if not the best on the market. This one works great in smaller mITX cases/builds because of it's slim/low profile

Question 10

Can the fan be installed so that it 'pulls' air away from motherboard and cpu, and if so, how effective is it in this 'pull' configuration compared to a 'push' downward configuration? Thanks

Accepted Answer

Push/Pull doesn't make that much difference really, though push is slightly better for cooling and pull is slightly quieter.

Majority of systems with single fans are "Push" configured. More direct airflow onto more fins from the heatsink. "Pull" configured fans could bring in slightly more air from the side and hit fewer fins. The fins on the edges will be cooler, but the ones in the center will stay warmer.

Are you cooler when you stand in front of a fan or behind a fan?

Questions & Answers