Noctua NH-D15 G2 Installation Manual

Thank you for choosing the Noctua NH-D15 G2. This manual provides step-by-step instructions for installing the cooler on Intel and AMD platforms, as well as for the NM-ISW1 shim washers for LGA1700.

For compatibility checks, detailed FAQs, and multilingual versions of this manual, please visit the Noctua website.

Intel Installation

This section covers the installation for Intel sockets: LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200 & LGA115x.

Required Mounting Parts:

• 1x NM-IBP4 backplate
• 2x NM-IMB3 mounting bars
• NM-SD1 Torx® T20 screwdriver
• 4x NM-ICS1 clip-on spacers
• 4x NM-STS1-TX thumb screws
• 4x NM-IBT5 bolts
• 4x NM-IPS1 black plastic spacers (for LGA1200/115x)
• 4x NM-IPS3 blue plastic spacers (for LGA1851/1700)

Step 1: Removing the Motherboard

If your case lacks a motherboard tray cut-out, remove the motherboard to install the backplate.

Step 2: Setting Up the Backplate

Identify the motherboard-facing side of the backplate (marked with caution signs ⚠️). Choose the correct hole spacing for your socket (Position 1 for LGA1200/115x, Position 2 for LGA1851/1700) and insert the four bolts from the opposite side.

Step 3: Attaching the Backplate

Caution: The supplied backplate installs over the motherboard's stock backplate; do not remove the stock backplate. Place the backplate on the rear of the motherboard so bolts protrude through mounting holes.

Step 4: Installing the Mounting Bars

Select the correct plastic spacers (NM-IPS1 black for LGA1200/115x, NM-IPS3 blue for LGA1851/1700) and mounting bar holes based on your socket. Ensure the curved sides of the mounting bars point outwards. Fix the mounting bars using the four NM-STS1-TX thumb screws. Caution: Gently tighten screws until they stop, do not use excessive force (max. torque 0.6 Nm).

Step 5: Applying the Thermal Paste

Clean any residual thermal paste or pads from the CPU. Apply Noctua NT-H2 thermal paste:

• For LGA1851/1700: 5 small dots (4 near corners, 1 in the center).
• For LGA1200/115x: 1 single 4-5mm dot in the center.

Caution: Applying too much thermal paste reduces heat conductivity and cooling performance.

Step 6: Fastening the Heatsink to the CPU

Remove the center fan. Position the heatsink onto the CPU. Screw it to the mounting bars, tightening screws in 2-3 turns per screw, alternating until fully tightened. Caution: Gently tighten screws until they stop, do not use excessive force (max. torque 0.6 Nm).

Step 7: Fan Setup

Carefully remove the protective paper from the fan frames. Reattach the center fan. For increased RAM clearance, the front fan can be moved upwards, but this increases total cooler height beyond 168mm. The cooler can also be used with only the center fan for better RAM compatibility.

Connect fan(s) to motherboard CPU fan headers. Use the supplied NA-YC1 splitter cable ? if connecting both fans to one header. Low-Noise Adaptors (NA-RC14 L.N.A.) ? can be used to reduce fan noise. Caution: Never use one adaptor for both fans before the splitter. When using L.N.A.s, monitor CPU temperatures to prevent throttling. If cooling is insufficient, increase case ventilation or remove L.N.A.s.

AMD Installation

This section covers the installation for AMD sockets: AM5 & AM4.

Required Mounting Parts:

• AMD stock backplate (pre-installed)
• NM-SD1 Torx® T20 screwdriver ?
• NM-AMB14a mounting bar (NORTH)
• NM-AMB14b mounting bar (SOUTH)
• 4x NM-APS4 grey plastic spacers
• 4x NM-ALS1-TX long screws

Step 1: Removing the Stock Retention Module - Putting the Backplate in Place

The SecuFirm2+™ mounting system installs directly to the stock backplate. Remove the motherboard's stock CPU cooler retention module. On AM4, hold the stock backplate in place as it may become loose. On AM5, the stock backplate is screw-fixed and should remain in place.

Step 2: Installing the Mounting Bars

Place the plastic spacers onto the backplate screw threads. Fix the NM-AMB14 mounting bars using the four NM-ALS1-TX long screws. Ensure "CPU →" markings point towards the CPU. Install the "NORTH" bar on the north side and the "SOUTH" bar on the south side of the socket.

Choose the mounting bar orientation:

• Offset position (-7mm): Recommended for AM5 and Ryzen 5000/3000 series AM4 CPUs for optimal contact.
• Standard position (0): For APUs, other AM4 CPUs, or if clearance issues exist with the offset position.

Caution: Gently tighten screws until they stop, do not use excessive force (max. torque 0.6 Nm).

Step 3: Applying the Thermal Paste

Clean any residual thermal paste or pads from the CPU. For AM5, place the NA-TPG1 thermal paste guard onto the CPU to prevent excess paste build-up in heat-spreader cut-outs. Apply Noctua NT-H2 thermal paste:

• Apply 5 dots: 4 small dots (~2mm diameter) near the corners plus 1 dot (3-4mm diameter) in the center.

Caution: Applying too much thermal paste reduces heat conductivity and cooling performance.

Step 4: Fastening the Heatsink to the CPU

Refer to Step 6 of the Intel installation manual.

Step 5: Fan Setup

Refer to Step 7 of the Intel installation manual.

NM-ISW1 Installation (LGA1700 Shim Washers)

These 1mm shim washers can improve contact quality and performance on LGA1700 sockets by reducing ILM pressure and CPU deformation. This can yield typical temperature improvements of around 2-3°C. CPUs used with full ILM pressure for extended periods may see benefits.

Caution: Modifying the socket is at the user's own risk. Noctua is not responsible for any damage.

Procedure to Install NM-ISW1 Washers:

1. Place the motherboard flat on an antistatic surface. Open the socket and insert the CPU to protect pins, but do not close the socket.
2. Remove the 4 screws from the ILM using the supplied Torx® T20 screwdriver ? and take off the ILM.
3. Place the 4 shim washers over the 4 mounting holes of the ILM.
4. Put the ILM back into place and fix it using the original 4 screws. Gently tighten screws until they stop, do not use excessive force (max. torque 0.6 Nm).

Important Information

Transporting Your System

For safety reasons, Noctua generally recommends removing the cooler before transporting your system, as forces acting upon it during transport are unpredictable. Noctua is not responsible for damage caused by excessive stress during transport if the heatsink remains installed.

Warranty, Support, and FAQs

Noctua offers a 6-year warranty and direct RMA service. For any issues with your NH-D15 G2, contact support@noctua.at. Consult the FAQ section on our website: faqs.noctua.at.

Compatibility

Prior to installation, consult the compatibility centre on the Noctua website (ncc.noctua.at) to verify compatibility with your motherboard, CPU, RAM, and case, and ensure no issues with other components.

Double-check that the heatsink and fan clips do not interfere with VGA cards, PCIe cards, motherboard heatsinks, or other components.

Noctua cannot be held responsible for damage or losses caused by compatibility issues.

Multilingual versions of this manual are available at www.noctua.at/manuals. A QR code ? is provided on the manual to access multilingual versions on your phone.