Heatsink Installation Problem

[apprentice25]

First time builder needs help.
I just installed the heatsink/fan. AMD AM2 with retail heatsink.
I clipped both sides of the heatsink on to the bracket but I cannot get the lever on the heatsink to move down and lock into place as shown on the AMD video. If I force it, I think that it will break. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[Cabletwitch]

You wont break it, belive me. Those things have to clamp on pretty tight so they dont move about when you move the machine around, and to make sure they have thebest contact with the heatspreader for maximum thermal transfer. Oh, and make sure you have thermal paste! Too many people seem to think they dont need it...

Just be lucky you have a heatspreader on those CPUs... you'd be paranoid if they were like the old Athlons. One too many cracked cores for my liking...

So go ahead, clip the ah heck on properly.

 

[apprentice25]

Thanks for the information. Being my first build I am still nervous.
By the way the it comes with a thermal pad installed.

 

[yourmothersanastronaut]

...

I cleaned the pad off my heatsink using rubbing alcohol and applied Arctic Silver V to the CPU. Much more effective. But I think I may have let air into it, because it idles around 54C. Metal transfers heat much better than air.

I may reseat the HSF this weekend.

 

[bluntside]

as steady as she can be, dont want excessive for on your mobo, Thats what happened to my old athlon xp
PLus have a good attitude about it and be patient.
I know I wasnt

 

[qwertycopter]

Well generally you install the CPU first into the socket, lower the ZIF lever, then install the heatsink on top. Are you sure you did it in the right order? I hope you didn't lock down the heatsink before locking down the CPU with the ZIF lever 8O

 

[apprentice25]

Boy! did I f**k up. I called AMD technical support. The problem was that I did not seat the heatsink properly. It is in so tight that I cannot get it off. I can think of only one solution. I will cut off one of the clips, then get a new heatsink. Boy this has really been a bad first time build experience.
Thanks for bearing with me.

 

[s3anister]

Boy! did I f**k up. I called AMD technical support. The problem was that I did not seat the heatsink properly. It is in so tight that I cannot get it off. I can think of only one solution. I will cut off one of the clips, then get a new heatsink. Boy this has really been a bad first time build experience.
Thanks for bearing with me.

that's too bad about your heatsink, oh well. I guess this gives you an excuse to get a nice zalman heatsink/fan :lol:

 

[apprentice25]

What would be the advantage of a Zalman heatsink, and would I have less installation problems?

 

[chuckshissle]

Don't worry it's covered by warranty.

 

[s3anister]

a nice zalman heatsink like this would be 1. less likely to break your cpu during install (if you follow the directions on their site) 2. More effecient at getting heat away from the CPU 3. be quieter (i think) and most importantly 4. it looks cool lol

here is the link to the socket AM2 zalman heatsink

(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118004)

but if you were to go for a different brand i would say go for ' Thermalright' OR 'Thermaltake'