Low profile heatsink that doesn't require backplate?

[nekrosoft13]

Some Mini-itx boards can't be used with heatsinks that require a backplate.

I been trying to find a decent low profile heatsink with a fan that can be mounted on mini-itx board that won't require me to use a backplate.

any recommendations?

 

[Deleted member 258125]

Noctua's NH-L9i has only got four screws which you can see on the lower right:

 

[AFD]

The Prolimatech Samuel 17 has a similar mounting system (has top plates for different Intel/AMD sockets, but spring-loaded bolts and nylon washers for the bottom). Pro: one review had it at 5C cooler than the L9. Con: costs $5 more than the L9 (at Amazon), and doesn't include a fan.

http://www.prolimatech.com/en/products/detail.asp?id=157

 

[wtourist]

What height low profile? Also wouldn't choosing a case that allows backplates make life easier?
Not my build yet, just curious..
Minimalism seems to often become obsessive.

 

[DrakonSan]

What height low profile? Also wouldn't choosing a case that allows backplates make life easier?

Reading is essential. First question is fair, but the OP is asking due to his choice in mainboard. Several mITX boards have ICs or other components on the back side, sometimes very close or right beneath the socket, making the use of HSF with backplates risky or outright impossible.
L9i/a or Sam17 is probably the best bet, given general availability.

 

[nekrosoft13]

What height low profile? Also wouldn't choosing a case that allows backplates make life easier?
Not my build yet, just curious..
Minimalism seems to often become obsessive.

several mini-itx boards, especially asrock amd based boards will not support backplates.

 

[nekrosoft13]

Reading is essential. First question is fair, but the OP is asking due to his choice in mainboard. Several mITX boards have ICs or other components on the back side, sometimes very close or right beneath the socket, making the use of HSF with backplates risky or outright impossible.
L9i/a or Sam17 is probably the best bet, given general availability.

right now I have MSI FM2 board with Cooler Master Gemini 4. so that's 137 x 122 x 59mm (5.4 x 4.8 x 2.3 in).

Eventually I would like to change to asrock FM2+

 

[Raziel1845]

Take a look at Thermalright's Muscle version of the AXP-100 (58mm tall) and AXP-200 (73mm tall). They drop the backplate in favor of four mounting posts.

http://www.thermalright.com/html/products/cpu_cooler/axp-100_muscle.html
http://www.thermalright.com/html/products/cpu_cooler/axp-200_muscle.html

No fancy heatpipe endcaps, no backplate mounting, and different fan color are the differences between the regular and muscle versions.

 

[SRTie4k]

The Scythe Big Shuriken 2 Rev. B has a backplate, but it clears the components on the back of the ASRock AMD mITX boards. That is what I'm using in my HTPC.

 

[AFD]

Take a look at Thermalright's Muscle version of the AXP-100 (58mm tall) and AXP-200 (73mm tall). They drop the backplate in favor of four mounting posts.

Just keep in mind that the AXP-200 will leave the confines of an ITX board (at least on most ASUS boards), which may or may not cause fitment issues in some smaller cases.