GA-Z97X-Gaming boards, which cooling system to you use?

Looking for some info from those who are currently using any of the GA-Z97X-Gaming boards. My primary question is around fans and which ones fit nicely without interfering with either the boards components or (more likely) the RAM slots.

It appears that each of the GA-Z97X-GAMING 7, GA-Z97X-GAMING 5, GA-Z97X-GAMING GT, and GA-Z97X-GAMING 3 have similar layouts and prior to purchasing I'd like to know which fans you have and which ones had no obstruction issues mounting.

The actual board I am looking at is the Gaming 5 and will be using a core i5 and NOT overclocking, so my needs are not at the extreme level. But want to know more about something that fits into the board well even if it may be an overkill. I also would be hesitant to go with liquid cooling, again I just don't see the need with an stock i5.

I use the Arctic ARCTIC Freezer 7 Pro Rev. 2 on my i5 systems as shown in the tonymacx86 Buyer's Guide, CPU Coolers section. You can't beat it for the price.

Stork said:

I use the Arctic ARCTIC Freezer 7 Pro Rev. 2 on my i5 systems as shown in the tonymacx86 Buyer's Guide, CPU Coolers section. You can't beat it for the price.

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But I don't see in your sig's any of the gaming boards, I do see the GA-H97N-WIFI board but I don't know if the two are similar enough to answer my question. Which again is, what cooler works in those boards which also will not interfere with any components (especially RAM).

It's so hard to tell what fits and what doesn't and I was hoping to get some detail feedback of coolers actually in use in the GA-Z97X-GAMING 5 which I'm considering.

But thank you for the info on the price benefit of the Artic.

Since you're not overclocking, go with the ARCTIC Freezer 7 Pro Rev. 2. Google for reviews. I based my purchase of the Arctic upon this Tom's H/W site review.
Overclocking On Air: 10 LGA 1156-Compatible Performance Coolers
Note: I didn't realize how old this review is until I check the link. The good news is that the dimensions listed in the review will give you the answer to your question(s). The bad news is that some of the cooler models are no longer available, but their successors are out there.

Since you want definite, 1st hand proof that cooler will "fit/work" with your Z97X Gaming 5 motherboard, I recommend you search the forum titles for "Z97x AND Gaming AND 5" for threads in the User Builds and the various OS Guides forum sections.

Update: I did a little searching and found the following:
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...gabyte-gtx-980-g1-gaming.168389/#post-1069318
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...force-gtx-750-ti-2gb-yosemite-10-10-1.151579/

The layout of the CPU and the spacing of the mounting points is set out by Intel. Some RAM sticks are very tall and are better suited to water cooling options.
Gaming boards have the same basic layout principle as regular and even the cheapest basic boards like the H81 series. Gaming boards are really premium Z97/Z170 boards that utilize with the more premium ethernet and audio chipsets. You should also expect better North/South bridge cooling as standard over more regular designs.
The Arctic freezer 7 Pro REV 2 cooler uses a 92mm fan with a cleverly designed fan housing/guard to allow taller RAM sticks such as the Corsair Vengeance range to be installed without impeding installation issues that other cooling options cannot provide due to using a larger fan and fan housing.
The taller RAM fits between the protective finger bars of the fan housing - the fan blades spin a little further back. I can thoughly recommend these Arctic fans - I use one in a H87 build and another in a Z97 build - they are a significant improvement over the Intel coolers for a very modest investment. There is no additional back plate to be installed with this cooler. Installation is actually a lot like the Intel cooler.

Stork said:

Since you want definite, 1st hand proof that cooler will "fit/work" with your Z97X Gaming 5 motherboard, I recommend you search the forum titles for "Z97x AND Gaming AND 5" for threads in the User Builds and the various OS Guides forum sections.

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Stork,

Didn't mean to imply you weren't being your normal ultra helpful self.

And yes, been at those and basically scoured the field for anyone who had any comments for example like "...had to squeeze this thing in.." or "...nice fit, no problems..." I was just hoping to get a few more folks to post more specifics about their cooler and these boards.

But, yes I'm a "search button" person first, not a "post button" first.



And thank you too Adrian B. I guess my knowledge problems stems from the first Hackintoshes I built many years ago. As I'd always seem to select the wrong (perhaps way overboard) cooler which interfered with ram and thus I've become gun-shy.

gmacman17 said:

Stork,

Didn't mean to imply you weren't being your normal ultra helpful self.

And yes, been at those and basically scoured the field for anyone who had any comments for example like "...had to squeeze this thing in.." or "...nice fit, no problems..." I was just hoping to get a few more folks to post more specifics about their cooler and these boards.

But, yes I'm a "search button" person first, not a "post button" first.


...

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OK. I didn't know you had searched as we get a lot of posters here that never of search. BTW, thanks to Adrian B for stating what I was thinking. (Need another cup of COFFEE!)

It is difficult to envisage from looking at a picture of this cooler just how it works with difficult RAM. I couldn't figure it out either, until I had the hardware in front of me and could actually do a dry install. It was like a eureka moment where everything fell into place and I thought - of course, why didn't I think of that......

You guys convinced me. Ordered it and I'm sure it will be fine. Not like I'm adding in any super high end memory sticks so I don't think they will be too high.

Like I said, I just ran into issues long ago with a build. I'm committed to avoid the mistakes of my past. Well, at least the ones I've made with hackintosh builds.