Cooling [SFF Network] The Noctua NH-L9a - Luxury in uSFF

[confusis]

The L9a definitely uses shouldered screws - I can't personally vouch for the L9i variant though.

 

[iFreilicht]

The L9a definitely uses shouldered screws - I can't personally vouch for the L9i variant though.

It uses shouldered thumbscrews, too, similar to the ones of the L9a, but with a small plastic washer and a wider knurl part. That doesn't prevent them from being overtightened, though.

 

[confusis]

The length of the threaded portion would limit the tightening of the screw to a predetermined level (you cannot tighten past the end of the threads!). I would say the distance between the bottom surface of the board and the top of the CPU heatspreader would be the same (within tolerance) for all Intel boards.

 

[iFreilicht]

That is correct, it is something between 8 and 10mm, IIRC. The mounting brackets of the NH-L9 coolers have shoulders as well, I'd say with those we are arriving at at least 5mm distance from the top of the board, which results in a bending angle of about 15° for the 75mm distance between mounting holes that sockets 15xx have.
I wouldn't call that healthy at all. Still, you immediately notice this during assembly.

 

[CC Ricers]

Sorry to bring up an old topic but does anyone with an NH-L9i know what thread size and length for the screws that mount the fan?

 

[iFreilicht]

I used M3x8 screws to mount the NH-L9i in the past, but I used rubber rings as a bit of padding, so M3x7 should be the minimum screw size you can safely use.

 

[TinyAudio]

NECRO!

My Google-fu has failed me tonight. Does anyone know the the size of the IHS contact pad (between the brackets) on the NH-L9i?