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Help -- Intel Pentium D 820 LGA 775 Heatsink Install!

Tags:
  • Homebuilt
  • Pentium
  • Heatsinks
  • Thermal Compound
  • Motherboards
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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February 8, 2007 4:40:57 PM

This fan heatsink has four plastic fasteners that are supposed to allow you to press them into the motherboard until they make a "click." However, I can only get two of the fasteners in at a time -- the other two will NOT go in. And, I finally removed the heatsink to try rotating the fasteners, but now the thermal paste is not the nice neat squished square it used to be -- there are a few "gaps" or lighter smears -- it's not uniformly spread.

1. Is there some trick to getting the fasteners in without cracking the motherboard? I've made sure to turn the fastener tops the correct 1/4 turn in the right direction, examined the fasteners to make sure they all look alike, checked the holes in the mobo to make sure they're aligned and the right size -- I can't think of anything else.

2. Do I have to remove the old thermal paste and reapply? (I don't have any -- I hope this is something I can find locally...)

Thanks. mcaren

More about : intel pentium 820 lga 775 heatsink install

February 8, 2007 4:48:53 PM

Quote:
This fan heatsink has four plastic fasteners that are supposed to allow you to press them into the motherboard until they make a "click." However, I can only get two of the fasteners in at a time -- the other two will NOT go in. And, I finally removed the heatsink to try rotating the fasteners, but now the thermal paste is not the nice neat squished square it used to be -- there are a few "gaps" or lighter smears -- it's not uniformly spread.

1. Is there some trick to getting the fasteners in without cracking the motherboard? I've made sure to turn the fastener tops the correct 1/4 turn in the right direction, examined the fasteners to make sure they all look alike, checked the holes in the mobo to make sure they're aligned and the right size -- I can't think of anything else.

2. Do I have to remove the old thermal paste and reapply? (I don't have any -- I hope this is something I can find locally...)

Thanks. mcaren


It sucks, because the heatsink is something a lot of people have problems with, but Core2Duo/Intel fanboys call it "user problems" or "motherboard manufacturer laziness". I'll chalk it up as both of their faults, because honestly I think Intel wasn't thorough enough on the simplicity of the heatsink installation.

I had to go with an after-market HSF combo for my C2D because I knew the stock HSF had installation problems.

The best I can tell you is to just push the limitations of your wit and try to push it into the motherboard, but make sure you support the leverage by putting a hand on the other side of the motherboard and holding it still.

If you keep the board straight and only use pushing force on the part of the motherboard the heatsink goes to, you shouldn't have too much trouble with the motherboard cracking.

Just make sure all four pins are in or your processor is going to heat up like crazy!
February 8, 2007 4:53:16 PM

Thanks NamelessMC -- do you think the thermal paste issue is a problem? Does the stuff have to be absolutely uniformly smeared to work effectively? mcaren
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February 8, 2007 4:54:15 PM

Hi, had a similar problem in early dec when i built my first Pentium comp, I just played until i got it to fit, remember to look for the black bits under the mobo when they are secure

This may also help

Just a tutorial I goggled got a few pics so may help a little good luck,

As for the thermal compound it may be best if you reapplied it. the compound can be bought from most computer shops and is quite easy to do,

Good luck and let us know what happens
a b B Homebuilt system
a b V Motherboard
February 8, 2007 5:17:56 PM

I have heard that you put it in in diagonals. Like this:

X..........Y

Y..........X

I have not done this myself. I know it is tough and you need some serious pressure.
February 8, 2007 6:00:47 PM

Thanks everyone (nice tutorial Chrisb6122 -- I'd searched the Intel site and couldn't find anything that relevant) -- I thought this was an interesting quote, however:
Quote:
Thermal Interface Material Attached to the Heatsink
Intel does not recommend the removal of the thermal interface material located on the bottom of the boxed processor fan heatsink. Removal of this material may cause damage to the processor and will void the boxed processor warranty. If you must remove and re-use the fan heatsink, it will require replacement. Also, if the thermal interface material is at all damaged, you must also replace the fan heatsink. Contact Intel Customer Support to receive a replacement fan heatsink.


If the "thermal interface material" is in fact thermal paste, are they seriously suggesting that since I couldn't get the @#$% thing installed and needed to remove it in order to try another position -- that I actually replace the heatsink? They're kidding, right?

I hope so. I'm going to try (assuming this is correct) removing the old paste with a not-too-wet alcoholed q-tip and reapply (I just went out and bought some).

BTW, I did try the "diagonal fastener" method of pressing them in -- didn't seem to help. I'll keep trying -- and see if I can keep from throwing the entire thing across the room...
February 8, 2007 6:15:48 PM

Quote:
Thanks everyone (nice tutorial Chrisb6122 -- I'd searched the Intel site and couldn't find anything that relevant) -- I thought this was an interesting quote, however:
Thermal Interface Material Attached to the Heatsink
Intel does not recommend the removal of the thermal interface material located on the bottom of the boxed processor fan heatsink. Removal of this material may cause damage to the processor and will void the boxed processor warranty. If you must remove and re-use the fan heatsink, it will require replacement. Also, if the thermal interface material is at all damaged, you must also replace the fan heatsink. Contact Intel Customer Support to receive a replacement fan heatsink.


If the "thermal interface material" is in fact thermal paste, are they seriously suggesting that since I couldn't get the @#$% thing installed and needed to remove it in order to try another position -- that I actually replace the heatsink? They're kidding, right?

I hope so. I'm going to try (assuming this is correct) removing the old paste with a not-too-wet alcoholed q-tip and reapply (I just went out and bought some).

BTW, I did try the "diagonal fastener" method of pressing them in -- didn't seem to help. I'll keep trying -- and see if I can keep from throwing the entire thing across the room...

No probs about the linkage,

You won't need to replace the whole h/s because of the paste that just seems like money making b*******. If it helps i installed my cpu with h/s before putting it on my case,

I used the form that came with the motherboard box on a cushioned char, and used pressure and persistance. but remember if you do this to properly earth yourself! static bad!

Good luck
February 10, 2007 1:22:58 AM

Thanks again Chrisb6122 -- I tried the tape method for applying the thermal paste and it seemed to work very well. I (we -- needed my husband's help) finally got the heatsink in (I applied upward pressure while he pushed down) -- what an absolute pain that was.

However, now I can't get anything to work (well, I get a green light on the MB and initially got a blue light on the front of the case). No fan movement. Then disconnected everything except PSU, fans and CPU (don't want to do THAT again) -- and nothing. Even removed the PSU and had it tested at a local computer shop -- it's working, so I've either neglected something important or have a dead MB. I just hope I can tell which... Am going to remove the MB now to see if there's something grounding it...

But, at least now I know how to apply thermal paste! Thanks! mcaren
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