Cooling mini-ITX low profile heatsink (AM4)

encore2097

Caliper Novice
Original poster
May 13, 2019
26
10
Noctua NH-L9a seems to be the bees knees of low profile cooler, especially for AM4
Wondering if there are recent reviews of modern competitors?
So far looking at:
  • Noctua NH-L9a ~ $40
  • Noctua NH-L9x65 AM4 ~ $50
  • Noctua NH-L12S ~ $50
  • Scythe Big Shuriken 3 ~ $45
  • Thermalright AXP100 ~ ? hard to find
  • JONSBO HP400 ~ $15 + shipping
  • MetalFish Z39 ~ $10 + shipping
  • CoolDesk ITX90 ~ $10 + shipping
Gallery:

I'm also curious if the inexpensive coolers:
  • can be used passively for 35W TDP or less.
  • have better performance with Noctua fans
  • have better performance with no fan + 120mm or 140mm case fan placed above.

There are some awesome posts (https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/cpu-cooler-sffn-round-up-sticky-thread.7668/, https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/s4-mini-classic-s4m-c.96/post-4470) but no recent updates or mega list of coolers, specs and comparable performance : (

P.S. Is the SFF Wiki dead? sffwiki.net goes to some ads..
 

Stevo_

Master of Cramming
Jul 2, 2015
449
304
I'd throw the AMD stock coolers in with those if you're looking at L9x65. Stealth can get down to 44mm and the Spire can probably do 59mm or so with fan(removing feet and outer shrouds from both). The build in the link below has a fanless spire cooling a 35W 220GE, the case has 48mm clearance. I'm using a Stealth stripped down to 44mm and have been pleasantly surprised at how quiet it runs in normal use and it's cooling ability.

https://smallformfactor.net/forum/t...ase-meanwell-support.8588/page-17#post-148466