noctua nh-l9i with 4690k

[kufi]

Hi,
In your opinion, can the Noctua nh-l9i handle the 4690k (or 4670k, for that matter) if I don't plan to overclock it? Assume normal PC use, no gaming and light programming/photo editing.
Other specs are: Node 304, preferably on lowest fans speed, and with LNA for the cooler.

Cheers!

[lodestar]

This cooler is designed for less powerful CPUs. Noctua say that an 88W TDP processor like the 4690K is feasible provided that "...good case ventilation (is used), Intel Turbo Mode disabled and typical workloads only (not recommended for continuous 100% load on all CPU cores)." There are no such restrictions on Haswell CPUs of 65W or less TDP. So you could consider an alternative CPU such as the Core i3 4370 which is a 3.8 Ghz 54w TDP part.

[Abula]

Hi,
In your opinion, can the Noctua nh-l9i handle the 4690k (or 4670k, for that matter) if I don't plan to overclock it? Assume normal PC use, no gaming and light programming/photo editing.
Other specs are: Node 304, preferably on lowest fans speed, and with LNA for the cooler.

Cheers!

Why a NHL9i for a case that can fit monster towers? its just a matter of choosing the correct motherboard, most asus mini itx, most asrock mini itx, and now even some gigabytes. You can fit a cooler like Noctua NH-U14S and drop the rpms to 300 or less (depending on the motherboard fan control.

[kufi]

Originally I was supposed to put a 4590s Inside, but it was DOA so I returned it and got my money back. Now when I wanted to order
another CPU I realized that the the 4690k is just 10 Euro more than any other i5.
As I said I don't plan on overclocking in the near future, but as I already have a z87 mini-ITX motherboard (bought on sale, otherwise I would
have chosen a lower spec board) I thought that for such price difference it would be nice to keep all options open. I know that I might need to
change the cooler in the future if I start to demand more of the CPU, but I am asking whether it's sufficient for non-demanding uses also with higher TDP processors .

[lodestar]

If you already have the cooler then I would say don't use the LNA which makes not much difference at slower speeds but does make a difference at higher CPU temps. Similarly rather than using the case fan controller and setting all the fans to Low it would make sense to plug at least the 140mm into the motherboard and allow that to be controlled by CPU temperature. The 92s are not particularly high speed units so maybe a higher setting that Low would be better. The issue may be what happens when the most demands are put on the CPU. The worst case scenario is that you might have to disable the Turbo modes.

[quest_for_silence]

but I am asking whether it's sufficient for non-demanding uses also with higher TDP processors .

Just lower the turbo ratio and undervolt, so that you'll be able to clone any sub-84W SKU.

[CA_Steve]

Just lower the turbo ratio and undervolt, so that you'll be able to clone any sub-84W SKU.

Probably don't need to under volt. All i5 Haswells follow the same voltage@frequency curve. Just lower the freq to the 4590S spec and have a 65W TDP part.

[quest_for_silence]

Probably don't need to under volt.

Can't Haswell undervolt?

[Abula]

IF all fails you can also limit the CPU% under windows, and it will reduce the temps.

[kufi]

Thanks for your replies.
Basically, you're saying that the only things that differentiate the 2 processors from each other are the base clock rate (turbo is identical at 3.9 GHz for both) + unlocked multiplier? If I lower the base clock rate to from 3.5 GHz to 3.2 GHz I get a 4590s while still keeping my options open for the future? At 10 Euro it sounds like a good deal!
Can underclocking cause the CPU to become unstable in any way?

[quest_for_silence]

Can underclocking cause the CPU to become unstable in any way?

No.

[kufi]

Thanks all, you've been very helpful

[CA_Steve]

have fun.