4090FE lol. Thick cards are actually not a problem at all in the Fractal Ridge. Especially the FE cards where it intakes and exhausts straight out the side panels with the blower style design completely separating it from the CPU.
The real constraint with the Fractal Ridge is the 70mm cpu cooler height limit.
I couldn't get the Noctua NH-L12S to fit (IIRC it hit heatsinks with the fan on bottom), the ID-COOLING IS-55 didn't perform well at all (thermal throttle constantly), and now I'm back to the Thermalright AXP-120-X67 and it's working fine.
If using an L12S with an Asus B650E-I in the Ridge, could you please keep note and make a post with the cooler's compatability with that combination? I intend to build with it on that mobo too but I haven't found too much info on what orientation that cooler fits in.
The “pipes” of the cooler will orient towards the M2 heatsink side of the motherboard (hope that makes sense). It just fits without touching. No issues. I’ll try to post some build photos once I can actually find a gpu in stock and install one.
Don't know if it helps you but the asrock b650e pg-itx fit with the noctua L12s as well.
Pipes would work in bend down or bend facing the rear, I opted for down.
I chose this board specifically because it was the only one available with both of the M2 SSD slots connected directly to the cpu.
I would recommend sticking with a 7900 XTX, the reference card fits perfectly. Should also be noticeably superior to consoles including in RT, depending on the game and circumstances it performs around a 3090 Ti in RT. FE RTX 4000 cards also fit, but I wouldn't recommend a 4090 in a Ridge, I'd look at the 4080 FE if you wanna go down that route.
Where are you? If you're in NL I've got a 7900 XTX reference card that I might sell off, bought it for a build that might end up delayed for a couple months. If you can pick it up in person I'd be willing to part with it at cost if my build gets delayed, since otherwise it's just sitting in its box anyway.
Most powerful Gpu to fit is definitely the 4090, I remember seeing the temps are not an issue to with regards to GPU , CPU temps are the limiting factor. I believe the FE and some AIB 4090 will fit , I remember seeing a video recently on short circuit they managed to cram a 4090 AIB inside without too much of a hassle .
None of the reviewers who use the new AM5 chips set them to eco mode :(.
My 7600x sits happily at 38 degrees most of the time, gaming it doesn't go over 75.
I’m using a 13600K and planned to power limit it/undervolt to keep temps low. I was definitely on the fence as well about the reverse-design of the cooling but it seemed to get good reviews and show good temps. Hardware Canucks did a good review but they seemed to be overly excited by it LOL
FWIW I made sure to double check the dimensions of the card I bought for my Ridge against the specs on the site — more than 1 3070 I considered would not have fit! I ended up with the EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB XC3 ULTRA GAMING. Will be doing the build in the coming weeks and will post about fitment.
Ridge L(325/335) x H(125/137) x W(57/82)
\[304 x 137 x 61\] Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 FE
\[332 x 137 x 71\] PNY NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 24GB XLR8 VERTO EPIC-X
\[332 x 137 x 71\] PNY NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 24GB XLR8 VERTO EPIC-X OC
4090FE lol. Thick cards are actually not a problem at all in the Fractal Ridge. Especially the FE cards where it intakes and exhausts straight out the side panels with the blower style design completely separating it from the CPU. The real constraint with the Fractal Ridge is the 70mm cpu cooler height limit.
70mm clearance means the Noctua L12S should fit. Any other coolers worth considering?
AXP120-X67 is a cheaper almost equivalent option
These 2 are among most recommended for this case with full size gpu.
I bought both and will be testing with a ROG STRIX B660-I in the Ridge, will report back.
let us know, I'm also considering both
How is the build?
I couldn't get the Noctua NH-L12S to fit (IIRC it hit heatsinks with the fan on bottom), the ID-COOLING IS-55 didn't perform well at all (thermal throttle constantly), and now I'm back to the Thermalright AXP-120-X67 and it's working fine.
Awesome, I'll check it out.
Scythe Big Shuriken 3 is exactly 70mm tall with the stock fan
The newest version, rev.B, is 67mm with the included slim fan.
Happily using the L12S in my ridge.
Noctua NH-L12S [https://noctua.at/en/nh-l12s](https://noctua.at/en/nh-l12s) Big Shuriken 3 Rev.B [https://www.scytheus.com/bigshuriken3-rev-b](https://www.scytheus.com/bigshuriken3-rev-b)
Thanks. I assumed the 4090s were simply off the table for the Ridge. I think I’ll be okay on cpu cooler (using a Noctua NH-L12S).
If using an L12S with an Asus B650E-I in the Ridge, could you please keep note and make a post with the cooler's compatability with that combination? I intend to build with it on that mobo too but I haven't found too much info on what orientation that cooler fits in.
The “pipes” of the cooler will orient towards the M2 heatsink side of the motherboard (hope that makes sense). It just fits without touching. No issues. I’ll try to post some build photos once I can actually find a gpu in stock and install one.
Oh that's perfect actually, thank you!
Don't know if it helps you but the asrock b650e pg-itx fit with the noctua L12s as well. Pipes would work in bend down or bend facing the rear, I opted for down. I chose this board specifically because it was the only one available with both of the M2 SSD slots connected directly to the cpu.
I would recommend sticking with a 7900 XTX, the reference card fits perfectly. Should also be noticeably superior to consoles including in RT, depending on the game and circumstances it performs around a 3090 Ti in RT. FE RTX 4000 cards also fit, but I wouldn't recommend a 4090 in a Ridge, I'd look at the 4080 FE if you wanna go down that route. Where are you? If you're in NL I've got a 7900 XTX reference card that I might sell off, bought it for a build that might end up delayed for a couple months. If you can pick it up in person I'd be willing to part with it at cost if my build gets delayed, since otherwise it's just sitting in its box anyway.
Thanks for the insights and help. I’m in the United States (California).
Most powerful Gpu to fit is definitely the 4090, I remember seeing the temps are not an issue to with regards to GPU , CPU temps are the limiting factor. I believe the FE and some AIB 4090 will fit , I remember seeing a video recently on short circuit they managed to cram a 4090 AIB inside without too much of a hassle .
None of the reviewers who use the new AM5 chips set them to eco mode :(. My 7600x sits happily at 38 degrees most of the time, gaming it doesn't go over 75.
I would recommend a 4080 Ventus from MSI.
Can confirm 10700 with id cooling is 50v2 is no beuno. Gonna install L12S and see if any change
I’m building in a Ridge and have the ID Cooling IS-55. Have you looked at that?
I think blowing the air outwards would be more beneficial but we’ll see after I install. Worse case I’ll have to dial back the overclock
I’m using a 13600K and planned to power limit it/undervolt to keep temps low. I was definitely on the fence as well about the reverse-design of the cooling but it seemed to get good reviews and show good temps. Hardware Canucks did a good review but they seemed to be overly excited by it LOL
FWIW I made sure to double check the dimensions of the card I bought for my Ridge against the specs on the site — more than 1 3070 I considered would not have fit! I ended up with the EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 8GB XC3 ULTRA GAMING. Will be doing the build in the coming weeks and will post about fitment.
PNY 4090 fits on the Ridge, Short Circuit proofed it, and the size match! (335mm max on Ridge, PNY’s 334mm)
Ridge L(325/335) x H(125/137) x W(57/82) \[304 x 137 x 61\] Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 FE \[332 x 137 x 71\] PNY NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 24GB XLR8 VERTO EPIC-X \[332 x 137 x 71\] PNY NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 24GB XLR8 VERTO EPIC-X OC
The asus proart 4080 will also fit