Intel DQ965co motherboard and Core2heatsink Problem

[Stunned]

Hello everybody,

I have an emergency problem: I bought an Intel DQ965co motherboard and Intel Core2 Duo CPU E6400 and for some reasons the heatsink that comes in the CPU’s box doesn’t fit into holes on this motherboard. It appears that the distance between those holes is too big and the heatsink’s wings are not wide enough or maybe the heatsink is not big enough. Could it be that I don’t need to install any heatsink/fan on this motherboard at all? I need to find a solution ASAP. I used to have tons of motherboards in the past and never had such ridiculous problems. I feel like an idiot!!! : 8O 8O
Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Stunned]

Is it possible that the Core2 E6400 is not even compatible with Intel's Q965co motherboard?

Thanks for your response!

 

[Mex]

BTX boards do not use standard heatsinks, but rather a giant hunk of metal called a thermal module. Did you buy a Core 2 Duo that was advertised to work with BTX? If you didn't, you recieved Intel's standard ATX heatsink, which won't work.

This is a thermal module - much bigger and heavier than a standard heatsink.

Let me reiterate - the processor is fine and will work in the board, but you need a different cooler such as this one.

 

[Stunned]

The casing that I have is Antec Sonata II and I think I'll have to find some kind of BTX upgrade kit that would be compatible with Sonata.
Thanks!

 

[Mex]

On that note, you need a case specifically designed for BTX as well. The BTX design changes the locations of certain features, specifically the output connections on the back of the case.

Antec makes a BTX case:
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=82640

The way this is shaping up, you may just want to return the motherboard for an ATX board - then you could use your Sonata and the provided heatsink that came with your E6600.

 

[Crashman]

You have an ATX case and the proper CPU cooler for an ATX motherboard. You have a BTX motherboard. The proper solution is to ditch the motherboard for an ATX motherboard.

 

[Crashman]

If he gets a BTX case he still needs the BTX thermal module. Which means a better solution would be to ditch his BTX board and buy a proper ATX board.