Big problem with new build :( Please help!

I got about 1/4 of the way through putting my first build together when I hit a major snag. It happened after I installed the CPU and started to install the heatsink. First of all, my board is a Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P. The heatsink is a Thermalright Ultima-90.

So I went to fit the backplate of the heatsink onto the back of the board, as per the instructions. However, one side of the backplate was sitting higher than the other side. I couldn't get it to sit flush against the board. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that a row of "pins" sticking out of the back of the motherboard was keeping the backplate from inserting properly.

Pictures can explain it better.

These pins on the motherboard,


are hitting one of the "pads" on the backplate,


and keeping it from sitting against the board.


You can see how the pillar to the right of the pins won't go through the board. If the pins were a millimeter or two to the right, everything would be fine.

As far as I can tell, this is a major problem for me and anyone else who buys this combination of mobo/heatsink. At the same time, I'm certain I've seen people with this combo, and I never read about any problems like this. But I don't see how I can possibly install this heatsink. Unless I can somehow "snip" off the offending pins. Otherwise, the heatsink will be slightly lopsided and pressing against those pins...

As I said, this is my first build, so if anyone can pleeeaase help me out I'd appreciate it. This really has me frustrated. I've been preparing for months to build this thing, and these bloody pins stop me dead in my tracks.

You might be able to put in hollow stand-offs, to effectively pull the backplate away from the bottom of the motherboard. I'm not sure this is the best option, but it's something to consider. I would double check that your installing the backplate on right. I would think that maybe your off by 90 degrees, so I'd rotate the backplate by that much and see if you are just installing it incorrectly or not.

Might need longer screws, though, so you would have to consider that too. Only problem I'd see with rubber washers is that they give too much and probably wouldn't hold their shape too well. Plastic washers sound like a good plan though.

Excellent photography.

YVW, glad we all could help you out. Sometimes manuals don't always paint the picture correctly for all situations. Your pictures were very good and very accurate.

Did you even read the thread and uh... look at the pictures? Your advice does not relate to the opening post in any way whatsoever. Don't believe me, read it again for the very first time.

True that, with no standoffs you can guaranty serious problems.