installing a Cooler Master

[mofo]

I just got this new Athlon 1.2 cpu with a Cooler Master fan/heat sink. How do you install the fan?? I attach the first clip, but the 2nd one i need to put a LOT of pressure on it and i'm affraid to break it and putting too much pressure on the cpu while pressing on it. What's the trick?

[mc2phat]

http://direct.mwave.com/mwave/doc/tbirdfan.html


There is a ridge on the heatsink that lines up with the socket. Install the clip that does not have the swinging hinge on it first, then the side that has the hinge. You'll have to put some presure on it to get it to go, but don't stand up and smash it with both hands.

Also, it is recommended that you use thermal compound instead of the thermal pad that comes with the Cooler Master. You can remove the thermal pad with isopropyl alcohol, then wipe it clesan with a paper towel.

[mike breck]

I got a Coolmaster supplied with my 1200 and I found the only way to get it on was to use a screwdriver to push it down, out slightly, and then in.

And yes, I did feel as tho I was going to crush the chip and crack the mobo.
But after it was on, everything worked ok.

It needs a certain amount of force to get in on, and I just hoped AMD and Asus had taken this into consideration during the manufacturing process.

If you do use a screwdriver, try and get a finger from the other hand beside the tip of the screwdriver to act as a guard and prevent it sliding off at force onto the mobo.

The way I looked at it, better an injured finger than a damaged mobo.

BTW I changed the Coolmaster to a Thermoengine V60-4225. The Coolmaster wasn't that cool. But try it and at least you'll have a benchmark with which to base any decisions on.

Having said that, you'll probably come back and say your idle temp is 29c and I was talking a lot of rubbish!

Hope this helps,

Mike

[mofo]

I got it on using a screwdriver, but man i can't believe they can't come up with an easier way of doing this. One could do some serious damage to the board with a screwdriver..

[Cricket]

Hi mofo,

When the socket A AMD Athlon first came out, many CPU's and motherboards got damaged by owners trying to install the heatsink fan. The dead CPU's were referred to as "keychain fobs". There were many pictures floating around the web of dead Athlons hanging from keychains.

The AMD website has lots of information regarding installation of a heatsink onto a socket A Athlon (with many, many warning about possible damage to the CPU if instructions are not followed precisely). Applying downward force on the heatsink (especially if it was not held parallel to the CPU core) would result in the dreaded *click*...the sound of the CPU cracking.

The important thing is to keep the heatsink as steady and level as possible while you try to attach the clip (easier said than done). Use one hand to steady the HSF and only apply downward pressure to the clip (not the heatsink) with your finger, a screwdriver or a socket driver. I usually place some cardboard under the area of the heatsink clip attachment tab and over the memory sockets...just in case.

Once you get the heatsink attached to the CPU, you breathe again and then the real fun begins.

Cricket