CPU Cooler Installation Help

Josh_209

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May 28, 2017
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I will try to explain this best I can. I first got my PC about 5 years ago pre-built. It had the stock CPU cooler in it. About a year down the line I replaced the cooler to a Xigmatek one and it was huge. It also used a custom backplate and screws where the screws go in through the back of the motherboard and have tighteners inside (not sure if this can be reversed). Jumping to about a month ago I decided to get a new CPU (AMD FX-8350 am3+) along with a new cooler (Arctic freezer A11) but when installing it I realised that the mounts and stuff were really not working too well. The screws that came with the previous fan only had threads to about halfway so the tighteners don't go all the way down so the fan is a bit loose and this is where my problem lies. I have had to put spacers on both sides of the motherboard on the screws to ensure that the fan is sturdy and actually making full contact with the CPU, however while this fixed the problem of contact, the screws now protrude further than the cases side panel so it won't fit properly.
To get to my question, how can I fix this. I have seen a backplate on amazon that comes with screws and should fit but I'm not sure if it'll fix my problem. Would I just need new screws or are there some sort of push pins that I can buy? Also I'm on a pretty tight budget due to being a student and all that so a solution that costs me less than £4 would be great. Thanks in advance!

Also I'm unable to use the original backplate or whatnot that came with my stock fan as I through the original out and the new cpu didn't come with any sort of bracket or anything like that.
 
Solution
You could request a replacement stock bracket from either the motherboard vendor, or Arctic. I'd avoid getting anything other than the stock bracket unless I had literally no other choice.

Otherwise, you could take the screws to a local hardware store and try to find shorter ones with the same threading. Just be sure to get some that have a decent coating or that are stainless steel. Otherwise they can flake and produce metal shavings that are capable of bricking the build.

Lastly, you could attempt to reverse the screws. You can only do this if you are able to move the nut around to the back. If the nut is too large, you can take the spacer that's currently on the back, and move it to the front between the nut and the mounting arm...
This sounds like a damaged mounting bracket. Has the computer taken any bumps/drops? Also, that style of mounting setup usually has some play in it. A small amount of play is usually fine if you apply the thermal paste properly. I've never seen a crossbar mounting mechanism with a rigid attachment. That risks over-stressing the individual mounting holes. The small amount of play evens the load out across the backplate.

Can you post some photos of the mounting hardware (i.e. individually, not installed)?

If possible, can you get a photo of the cooler mounted in it's original configuration as well?
 

Josh_209

Reputable
May 28, 2017
8
0
4,510


There isn't any damage as far as I'm aware. My problem lies with a 3rd party CPU cooler being installed with a bracket/mount from another 3rd party CPU cooler and need to know what I can do to have it installed properly. These are the best images that I could get. Image 1 Image 2
 
You could request a replacement stock bracket from either the motherboard vendor, or Arctic. I'd avoid getting anything other than the stock bracket unless I had literally no other choice.

Otherwise, you could take the screws to a local hardware store and try to find shorter ones with the same threading. Just be sure to get some that have a decent coating or that are stainless steel. Otherwise they can flake and produce metal shavings that are capable of bricking the build.

Lastly, you could attempt to reverse the screws. You can only do this if you are able to move the nut around to the back. If the nut is too large, you can take the spacer that's currently on the back, and move it to the front between the nut and the mounting arm (part that runs vertically in pic 1). Again, this assumes the nut is not soldered to the mounting arm.

I'd seriously recommend simply requesting a replacement bracket and corresponding screws, though. It's the safest bet.
 
Solution