Zimacube Pro - CPU Cooler Compatability

Insight & Feedback
1

Overall I have been a bit disappointed by the CPU cooler and frankly overall cooling of the Zimacube Pro. I was going to add some fans to the case through the one system fan header but also wanted to swap out the CPU cooler. Would an LGA 1700 cooler fit this CPU? I know I have seen a post that the backplate is glued and will require a heat gun to remove but if anyone is aware of one that would not require removal of the backplate I am definitely interested in that too.

Any insights or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

2

Before swapping, see this post: Changing the direction of ZimaCube Pro's fan for better heat dissipation? Worth a try! - #3 by giorgio

3

Putting a better quantity of thermal paste on the cooler will help as the factory amount is poor and super thick!

However if you want to take it up a notch I used a Noctua no-l9x65. You do not need to remove the backplate from the motherboard if you buy 4x m3x20 screws from the hardware store.

4

Is this a simple swap? Just remove the old cooler, reapply thermal paste, and reinstall (with the correct screws)?

How does the cooler fit in the case with the existing lid? I was thinking of 3d printing a new lid with an opening in the center so that the fan would expel the hot air out the top of the case.

Did you doing and before and after testing to see how much more effectively, the Noctura cooler worked?

thanks

5

There is around 5mm of space between the lid and the fan so plenty.

I applied the thermal paste to the cooler plate to make sure it was in the right place and orientated the fins to the ram has airflow.

Temps below

Factory 38’c idle, above 60% load pegged at 100’c
Factory with a repaste brought load temps down to low 90’s

Noctua 33’c idle, 70-80’c under load. Managed 82’c under whilst doing a Plex library scan.

I’ll take photos tomorrow when I’m home for you

1 Like
6

Thanks,
This looks like the best solution for me in terms of cost and effort vs. heat dissipation.

If you get a chance, can you test the CPU temperature under load both with the lid on and off? I am curious how hot the volume of air in the upper chamber gets under load.

7

I’ll see what I can do. I have 4 40mm noctua’s in the front cover but I can disconnect

1 Like
8

Hi Giorgio, my ZC Pro came with the fan in the updated direction, and still clocked up to 100 degrees C while idle. I think a better heat sink when shipped from the factory would be a good idea

9

Gav - thanks for the info. I’m giving it a try. Just ordered the same. But the number of the cooler is https://noctua.at/en/nh-l9x65

This will work?

10

That’s the correct cooler. If you want to take a look at my build there is a link below.

https://community.zimaspace.com/t/zimacube-cooling-solution/3470/2

11

Hi,

Please upgrade your ZimaOS to version 1.2.3 to address software bugs that may cause heating issues.

12

By “You do not need to remove the backplate from the motherboard…”, do I still need to get the motherboard out of the chassis and put in the m3x20 screws from the back of the motherboard (I think that is the normal installations of the cooler as I see from some video instructions)?

Or just need to put in the screws from the top down with the “blue risers”?

Thanks.

13

No need to remove motherboard

Old cpu cooler off
Place the 4 blue risers on the motherboard.
Grab the two intel brackets
Put the m3 screw through this into the blue riser and screw into the backplate. Repeat on other side and mount cooler.

3 Likes
14

Great! Already ordered the cooler. :smiley: