Securing a heatsink

[Gallo]

I have a question to all you people out there that have built computers. I just built my Q6600, 4gb RAM, 8800GT system (my 3rd computer build ever) and I noticed that the heatsink on these LGA775 sockets attach to the motherboard differently that the computer that I have made in the past. When the computer was laying on its side, it seemed like I attached it correctly... but when I ran Prime95 (a program designed to stress test the CPU) my CPU temp went above 90C (which is bad). So I peaked into my computer and saw that when it was standing up, the heatsink tilted a little so that it wasn't flush with the CPU.

So, I ran Prime95 again... watched the temps go to 90C, then I used my hand to press the heatsink flush with the CPU and watched the temp drop to 45C. I let go of the heatsink, and they rose past 90C again and I stopped the test.

Finally to my question: If I take my motherboard off, and attempt to re-secure the heatsink, and it still doesn't stay put... would I be a horrible person if I used some sort of string over the top of the heatsink to pull it toward the motherboard/cpu ? The top of the heatsink doesn't even get warm, so that wouldnt be a problem.

Anyways... toss me a reply if you've had problems with seating the heatsink.

[Diamndzngunz]

I had a problem with putting in my LGA775 Headsink. Its a pain to get it in. You have to use some force to pop the pins into the board, and I mean force. So very carefully apply force to each pin. I would do a cross pattern to apply it. Meaning

1X---------------3x


4x---------------2x


I would not suggest a rubber band or anything like that to hold it up.. It will not work and you will mess up your CPU

[Gallo]

Diamond.. I don't know where you live, but whenever I post on the night shift, you always reply in like 5 minutes... I love it.

Yeah, it did require some force getting in, and I even bent one of the little plastic pins (I bent it back). I think my main problem is that I did this when the motherboard was already secure to the case. I guess a lot of people try to do this when the motherboard isn't yet attached so that they can check it from the back to see how its seated.

I guess I'll give it another go tomorrow.

[Oswyn]

There is a certain amount of pressure that is required between the heatsink and processor. If the heatsink is loose, then something is wrong with the installation or maybe the bracket or retention assembly is broken. So, I agree with Diamnd and would not recommend using a string/rubberband or anything other than the retention mechanisms that came with the heatsink and motherboard.

In case you dont' have instructions or they are not clear, this site has some good pics: http://www.hardwarezone.com/guides/intel-socketT/?pg=6

Heck, there's even a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFEOd7nQbuQ

[Wilbur]

What thermal paste are you using, if any?

[Gallo]

I was using the thermal paste that came with my Artic Heatsink, but I'm gonna hit up Bestbuy for some different stuff now that I'm re-seating it.... and I don't want to wait for some to come by mail.

[Diamndzngunz]

Diamond.. I don't know where you live, but whenever I post on the night shift, you always reply in like 5 minutes... I love it.
I live in the SF Bay Area. My day is night. I get off work at 10pm then Im up until 4am. So I have time to browse the forums.

[Gallo]

Nice. I'm in the DC area, but I work a rotating shift. Silly gov't contractors and their 24x7x365 contracts :(

[zanthor]

If you continue having issues getting this one attached I would suggest purchasing a 3rd party heat sync that comes with it's own mb mounts. I'm a big fan of Zalman products, they aren't horribly expensive and they are well designed.

[Gallo]

If you continue having issues getting this one attached I would suggest purchasing a 3rd party heat sync that comes with it's own mb mounts. I'm a big fan of Zalman products, they aren't horribly expensive and they are well designed.This IS a 3rd party heatsink. It's a "Artic 7" brand. I read good things about it, but some people did report problems with the pins that secure it.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

I'm getting a Zalman with my parts later this week. If I can remember, I'll let you know how that goes vis-a-vis mount points.

[elo]

Last November I had to build some 30+ machines in about a week for my company. I had exactly the same problem you're describing, it was excrutiating.

After playing with all the nice new hardware though I couldn't resist the urge to upgrade my system to a Core 2 Duo but I purchased a different board than the company used. They had used EVGA (I have NO idea why) and I purchased a Gigabyte board. I cringed when I got to mounting the heatsink on something I'd spent my own money on.... pressed down on the pins and click click.... hrmm... pushed down on other 2, click... click... No muss, no fuss, perfect mount.

Morale of the story? Somehow certain board manufacturers are screwing this up. I did however, during the 30 pc run, discover that if I used a small screwdriver and pressed down on the plastic casing of the pins below where the top is then they would tend to click in and mount securely. So, if you've fixed the problem - awesome - otherwise you might try this trick. After I figured it out the next dozen or so were cake.

[Gallo]

I've technically fixed the problem, but I am very wary of moving or knocking into the computer. It may dislodge the work that I did. I did however purchase a $5 set of spring loaded heatsink fasteners that are apparently made for exactly this problem of a heatsink that isnt secure.

I'm going to put those in sometime this week. I'll post on how they did.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

Update:I installed my Q6600 on a Gigabyte X38-DS4 this past week. The heatsink I bought is a Zalman 9700. If you look at this link to the parts pictures ('http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=35-118-019-05.jpg&Image=35-118-019-02.jpg%2c35-118-019-03.jpg%2c35-118-019-04.jpg%2c35-118-019-06.jpg%2c35-118-019-05.jpg%2c35-118-019-07.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&Depa=0&Description=ZALMAN+CNPS9700+LED+110mm+2+Ball+CPU+C ooler') , you'll see the X clip that goes behind the motherboard, the circle positioning clip that goes on top of the mobo, and in the plastic bag is a 1/16" (2.5mm?) thick stainless steel clip that screws it down. Overall, this thing is solid. I used the fan to pick up the entire motherboard while installing it into the case and it did not wobble at all.

I'd say, as someone above mentioned, that this is almost entirely dependent on the manufacturer's quality as to how well the clips hold. This is the second huge-ass zalman heatsink I've used and both have been very well engineered from what I can tell.

[Heenan]

I highly recommend getting an upgraded HSF. I never liked the standard Intel "push-pin" style fans. I particularly like Thermaltake (but Zalman also rocks). You need something with good hardware, and most companies skimp when it comes to this. Check out the hardware that comes with the Big Typhoon from Thermaltake (this is an old build, but still a great HSF). This thing weighs over 2 pounds and doesn't budge!

http://www.paulheenan.com/worklog/small%20images/IMG_0229p.jpg ('http://www.paulheenan.com/worklog/large images/IMG_0229p.jpg')

http://www.paulheenan.com/worklog/small%20images/IMG_0230q.jpg ('http://www.paulheenan.com/worklog/large images/IMG_0230q.jpg')

http://www.paulheenan.com/worklog/small%20images/IMG_0234u.jpg ('http://www.paulheenan.com/worklog/large images/IMG_0234u.jpg')

http://www.paulheenan.com/worklog/small%20images/IMG_0236w.jpg ('http://www.paulheenan.com/worklog/large images/IMG_0236w.jpg')