Asus P5N-E

[Zelkon]

so i was switching my XFX 680i for the Asus P5N-E http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2853608 and was wondering if

the Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB Hard Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=TSD-320AS

and the

Corsair Dual Channel TWINX 2048MB
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2206874&sku=C13-2022

work with that mobo?

 

[Andrius]

That's a 650i board.
Unless you seriously need to save the extra few bucks go for P5N-D (750i - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3573170&sku=A455-2808&srkey=P5N-D ). The drive and RAM should work without issues on both boards.

All items are cheaper here (with free shipping)
MOBO : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232
RAM : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034
DISK : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148316

 

[Zelkon]

will this cpu cooler http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3127377&body=REVIEWS

fit into the P5N-D mobo?

 

[Andrius]

I see no reason why it wouldn't but the CPU socket is very close to the upper edge of the board. How much room is there between the motherboard and the PSU in your case? You might have clearance issues if there are support brackets under the PSU.

Still cheaper at newegg :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150082

But I would recommend you pick a cooler here:
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

 

[Zelkon]

0.5 inches bout

 

[Andrius]

Might be tight but it should fit.
Sorry about the bad link in the previous post. It's the right one now.

 

[Zelkon]

ok so i will go with the P5n-D mobo. i had already bought a barebone kit from tigerdirect http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3799765&sku=P450-9102%20X

but appearantly the mobo in that was defective

 

[Andrius]

Won't they replace it?

Just make sure the backplate on that cooler is padded with insulator foam before mounting it.

 

[Zelkon]

yeah they would replace it, but i read lots of review saying how bad the mobo is. and i dont understand what u meant back plate is padded?

 

[Andrius]

The cooler comes with a metal backplate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=35-150-082-04.jpg&Image=35-150-082-02.jpg%2c35-150-082-03.jpg%2c35-150-082-04.jpg%2c35-150-082-05.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16835150082&Depa=0&Description=MASSCOOL+8WA741+92mm+Ball+CPU+Cooler
The side facing the motherboard is not shown but it should have some foam padding or sticky tape on it to avoid "bare" metal exposure. There are some "features" on the back side of the P5N-D's CPU socket.

 

[HyperZoot]

I am not understanding why you wouldn't RMA the MOBO. There is nothing wrong with the 680i. It'll push C2D and C2Q to 4gHZ. I run the LT version of XFX 680i board and it does extremely well.

 

[Zelkon]

yeah except the backplate i have looks different from newegg's its plastic

but there are metal holes sticking out, heres a pic of it
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll186/zelkon02/DSC01730.jpg

 

[Andrius]

Did you get any foamy (sticky tape like) material with the cooler?
If not just put it on the back side of the board so that those screwthreads go through the holes around the socket and check if it sits tightly against the board without interference from "features" on the underside (capacitors and resistors). Since it is made from plastic "bare metal" contact won't be an issue. It is recessed in the middle but it could tear off or damage some of those components anyway if they are in the way.

 

[Zelkon]

so i install the backplate with the metal thingys touching the mobo?

 

[Andrius]

The metal tubes go into the holes around the socket, where the screws of the cooler fit. They have threads for the screws.
There's detailed pictures here (the cooler is a different type but the mounting method is the same):
http://hardwarelogic.com/news/137/ARTICLE/1269/2006-11-07.html
You also see the sticky foam covered by 3M logos in this one : http://hardwarelogic.com/articles/reviews/cooling/Zalman_CNPS8000/retention_bracket2.jpg
That's the padding/adhesive material to ease installation and prevent damage.
Mounted, with the threads sticking through the motherboard :
http://hardwarelogic.com/articles/reviews/cooling/Zalman_CNPS8000/mounting1.jpg
And the back side :
http://hardwarelogic.com/articles/reviews/cooling/Zalman_CNPS8000/backplate.jpg

 

[Zelkon]

ah ok thanks for your help, now i just gotta wait til friday or sat for the mobo to arrive (hopefully in good condition)