Don’t let RAM clearance wreck your PC build

Anyone planning to install a large-volume CPU cooler with a fan alongside RAM modules with heat spreaders or RGB lighting will quickly encounter a problem: lack of space. The technical term for this is “RAM clearance,” and it can make the difference between a smooth PC build and a frustrating one.

Large tower coolers in particular often protrude beyond the RAM banks. If the fan is positioned low or the heat sink is particularly bulky, tall RAM modules may not fit at all or can only be installed with significant effort.