Noctua Introduces NM-DD1 Direct Die Kit for Delidded AMD AM5 Processors

[btarunr]

Noctua today introduced its new NM-DD1 direct die kit. Developed in cooperation with professional overclocker and direct die cooling expert Roman "der8auer" Hartung, the NM-DD1 is a mounting spacer kit that makes it possible to use a wide range of Noctua CPU coolers on delidded AMD AM5 processors. Removing the processor's integrated heat spreader (delidding) and putting the heatsink directly onto the dies allows for much more efficient thermal transfer and can thereby lower CPU temperatures significantly, with typical gains in the range of 10-15°C.

"Delidding and direct die cooling will void your CPU's warranty and bear a certain risk of damaging it, so this certainly isn't for everyone," explains Roland Mossig (Noctua CEO). "However, the performance gains to be had are simply spectacular, typically ranging from 10 to 15°C but in some cases, we've even seen improvements of almost 20°C in combination with our offset mounting bars, so we're confident that this is an attractive option for enthusiast users. Thanks to Roman for teaming up with us in order to enable customers to implement this exciting tuning measure with our CPU coolers!"



Removing the CPU's integrated heat spreader (delidding) and putting the heatsink directly onto the dies using liquid metal thermal compound significantly improves thermal transfer and can typically reduce CPU temperatures by as much as 10-15°C. This increased thermal headroom can either be used to drastically reduce fan speeds and noise levels or, if the CPU allows, to achieve higher turbo boost frequencies.

For further performance gains, the NM-DD1 can be combined with Noctua's new offset AM5 mounting bars (NM-AMB12, NM-AMB13, NM-AMB14, NM-AMB15) that allow users to achieve lower temperatures not only on regular AM5 CPUs, but also on delidded ones as the pressure will be more concentrated over the CCDs. Typically, using the offset mounting option with direct die cooling can yield additional gains of up to 2°C.

The NM-DD1 contains spacers that are put underneath the heatsink's fastening bracket(s) in order to make up for the height of the removed heat spreader as well as custom, longer screws that make it possible to reinstall the fastening brackets with the spacers in place. All other parts that are required for delidding and direct die cooling (delidding tool, direct die frame for protecting the CPU, liquid metal thermal compound) must be purchased separately.

The NM-DD1 can be ordered exclusively via Noctua's website for a service charge of EUR 4.90. Alternatively, customers can 3D-print the spacers contained in the NM-DD1 kit at home using the STL files shared at Printables.com (NM-DDS1 spacers for coolers with two-piece fastening brackets and 83 mm mounting-pitch, NM-DDS2 spacers for coolers with a single-piece fastening bracket and 78 mm mounting pitch). Installing the fastening bracket(s) with the printed spacers will require four M3x12 screws (for NM-DDS1) or a single M4x10 screw (for NM-DDS2).

For more information, visit this page.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Chaitanya]

Good old AMD K7 days of bare die CPU cooling.

 

[delshay]

I've been soldering IHS directly to Noctua coolers for years, effectively this is direct die cooling. Retaining the IHS prevents crushing/cracking the the die.

EDIT: I just want to add. Would it not be easier for AMD to sell some of they CPUS without an IHS. ie create a different SKU one with & one without the IHS. This will bring down the cost of the CPU.

 

[VTK85]

Whoa, this was unexpected !

 

[Gameslove]

May it also work with AM4?

 

[CosmicWanderer]

I've been soldering IHS directly to Noctua coolers for years, effectively this is direct die cooling. Retaining the IHS prevents crushing/cracking the the die.

EDIT: I just want to add. Would it not be easier for AMD to sell some of they CPUS without an IHS. ie create a different SKU one with & one without the IHS. This will bring down the cost of the CPU.

Even though they're cheaper to make, If I were AMD I would charge for more for the delided SKU's. Ultra-enthusiasts don't want cheap things.

 

[ymdhis]

EDIT: I just want to add. Would it not be easier for AMD to sell some of they CPUS without an IHS. ie create a different SKU one with & one without the IHS. This will bring down the cost of the CPU.

No, because consumers would end up cracking the die when applying the heatsink, and then they would have to handle returns. It was pretty common in the original Athlon days to end up with a cracked CPU, they tried to alleviate it by adding supports in the four corners of the PCB but that only helped so much.

 

[Quake]

No, because consumers would end up cracking the die when applying the heatsink, and then they would have to handle returns. It was pretty common in the original Athlon days to end up with a cracked CPU, they tried to alleviate it by adding supports in the four corners of the PCB but that only helped so much.

They should put warranty remark for such CPUs, saying something like "Physical damages are not covered"... If you are not competent installing the CPU, then don't. There are many shops where you can get your CPU installed.

I would support AMD/Intel in doing such SKUs and assume there would be many others that would buy such CPUs.

 

[delshay]

No, because consumers would end up cracking the die when applying the heatsink, and then they would have to handle returns. It was pretty common in the original Athlon days to end up with a cracked CPU, they tried to alleviate it by adding supports in the four corners of the PCB but that only helped so much.

Yeah, but I would think user's that are buying CPU without the IHS would not be novice. They would know what they are doing from the outset, unlike in the past when all CPU did not have IHS it applied to everyone to know what they are doing.

 

[TheDeeGee]

The fact that this is needed proves how shit the IHS design of AMD is.

 

[Gungar]

The fact that this is needed proves how shit the IHS design of AMD is.

I have a 7800x3d and i don't need this at all.

 

[Wirko]

Even though they're cheaper to make, If I were AMD I would charge for more for the delided SKU's. Ultra-enthusiasts don't want cheap things.

That's also how you get rid of people who would buy a delidded CPU just because it's cheaper.

 

[delshay]

Even though they're cheaper to make, If I were AMD I would charge for more for the delided SKU's. Ultra-enthusiasts don't want cheap things.

It's easy for AMD to make changes, just don't fill the automated machine with glue/solder & IHS. Better still they could just turn that part of the assembly process off.. Now AMD is not only saving on material but also electricity, in turn helps saves the planet.

 

[R0H1T]

Yeah, but I would think user's that are buying CPU without the IHS would not be novice. They would know what they are doing from the outset, unlike in the past when all CPU did not have IHS it applied to everyone to know what they are doing.

Well you never know, we have many of them trying to clean their laptop to reapply/apply better TIM & end up effing that too. As compared to that mounting a massive cooler on desktop CPU could be a huge issue for them!

 

[ZoneDymo]

The fact that this is needed proves how shit the IHS design of AMD is.

you are not actually serious with this remark right?

 

[dgianstefani]

you are not actually serious with this remark right?

You realise the IHS is very thick on AM5 to maintain backwards compatibility with AM4 coolers. From a design and performance standpoint without that compatibility consideration it shouldn't be anywhere near as thick, and this is the main reason for the cooling issues.

I have a 7800x3d and i don't need this at all.

You have a chip that barely draws 50 W in most loads.

 

[Dirt Chip]

I guess it's nice to see this exotic technic find the way to the common public.
Question is, why only for AMD?
Intel CPUs doesn't see good enough reduction in temp? Much harder to delidde?
Cus they are widespread as much as AMD CPU (if not more).

 

[ymdhis]

Yeah, but I would think user's that are buying CPU without the IHS would not be novice. They would know what they are doing from the outset, unlike in the past when all CPU did not have IHS it applied to everyone to know what they are doing.

You greatly underestimate how stupid consumers are. They just see this as the the thing that is supposed to be better / is more expensive / was covered in that youtube video, and will buy that.

There's a reason why basically no CPUs come without an integrated heatsink nowadays.

 

[dgianstefani]

I guess it's nice to see this exotic technic find the way to the common public.
Question is, why only for AMD?
Intel CPUs doesn't see good enough reduction in temp? Much harder to delidde?
Cus they are widespread as much as AMD CPU (if not more).

The IHS doesn't provide as much of an obstruction to cooling with 12th/13th gen Intel, the temps can actually be better despite using more wattage.

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

The fact that this is needed proves how shit the IHS design of AMD is.

Who said it was needed? And, aren't AMD chips significantly easier to cool than raptor lake?

 

[maxfly]

In before the flame tards start their buffoonery.

I'm honestly shocked that Noctua would go in on something like this! This is unexpected to say the least. If I were running an AM5 rig I'd definitely give it a try just to see what kind of temp improvement it offers both with and without liquid metal.
Of course It's just a matter of time before the copycats flood AliExpress with cheap knockoffs that undercut Noctua but they may make a few bucks before then.

 

[delshay]

In before the flame tards start their buffoonery.

I'm honestly shocked that Noctua would go in on something like this! This is unexpected to say the least. If I were running an AM5 rig I'd definitely give it a try just to see what kind of temp improvement it offers both with and without liquid metal.
Of course It's just a matter of time before the copycats flood AliExpress with cheap knockoffs that undercut Noctua but they may make a few bucks before then.

Have to agree with you here. Encouraging user(s) to delid they CPU is not professional, which begs another question, why are they not supplying deliding tool with this kit. There will be user(s) that will end up with dead CPU.

 

[Redwoodz]

The IHS doesn't provide as much of an obstruction to cooling with 12th/13th gen Intel, the temps can actually be better despite using more wattage.

View attachment 302593

That is false. The only reason Intel 12/13th gen is showing lower temps in the TPU tests is because they used the stock Intel power profiles which throttles after a few seconds.

 

[claes]

Of course It's just a matter of time before the copycats flood AliExpress with cheap knockoffs that undercut Noctua but they may make a few bucks before then.

Given that it’s $5 and they offer the STL files for free I don’t think that’s much of a concern as much as an expectation

 

[zlobby]

Delidding and air cooling? WTF?