I just purchased a Thermalright AX-7 and love it!!! My temps have dropped approx. 15C as compared to the last HSF i owned. But the one thing that bothered me about the Thermalright. TOO DAMN HEAVY!!! So because of the scary stories I've heard about the thing breaking off the motherboard and destroying everything that it falls on (especially expensive video cards), I've come up with a idea that I hope works for all owners of this beast!!!! In order to do this install, you must remove the MoBo from your case....(I know it's a pain, but If it saves your equipment from major damage, it's well worth it). After removing your MoBo, and removing your old HSF, CAREFULLY install the Thermalright AX-7 while your MoBo is lying flat on a table (its much easier to install it out of your computer, anyway). As you'll notice, the Thermalright AX-7 is held on only by the metal clip that attaches to the sides of the CPU socket. BUT.... take a closer look and you'll also notice the gaps between the heat sink fins are lined up with the 4 holes that surround the CPU socket (at lease 2 are on my motherboard). Now here's what to do..... Go to the Hardware store and purchase sheet metal screws that are nearly identical to the ones that are supplied with the Thermalright AX-7 for mounting the cooling fan (the screws will fit snug between the fins). For each screw you install, you will need 1 rubber washer AND 1 nylon washer. 1ST - Take a very small peice of electrical tape and wrap it around the threads of the screw as close to the head of the screw as possible (the tape will prevent any electrical shorting that may occur if the screw comes in contact with the MoBo). 2ND - Install the Nylon washer on the screw (make sure there isnt too much electrical tape or it wont fit). 3RD - Install the rubber washer on the screw so it's next to the nylon washer (this rubber washer will prevent damage to the MoBo). 4TH - Turn the motherboard over CAREFULLY! (now is NOT a time to be rough with it....), and notice which mounting holes are lined up EXACTLY to the gaps between the fins of the heatsink. Dont install a screw in any hole that is not EXACTLY lined up or this may cause the heatsink to twist, possibly causing damage to the MoBo. 5TH - Slowly install the screws through the bottom of the MoBo so that they fit tightly through the gaps in the heatsink. When installing the screws, make sure they are going in straight. They will make thier own treads as the fins bend out of the way (its only aluminum). Use the proper size screw driver or it may slip off and cause MAJOR damage to the MoBo. If your installing screws in ALL 4 holes, Install in a 'criss-cross' pattern. 6TH - Once the rubber washer comes in contact with the MoBo, turn it NO MORE than a 1/4 turn extra (i'd prefer 1/8 of a turn), again, in a 'cross-cross' pattern if installing in all 4 holes. This will keep your Thermalright AX-7 from lifting to one side and not doing its job of cooling. If you screw them too tight, your CPU may burn up, especially if your only using 2 mounting screws. 7TH - Reinstall the MoBo in your computer and check to make sure that none of the screw heads are touching the computers case. If so, remove the rubber washer. (Again, For preventing any electrical shorts, just in case). 8TH - Hook everything back up...YOUR DONE!!!! Hopefully, these added screws will hold your Thermalright AX-7 to the MoBo, as well as the cheesy little clips on the CPU socket!!!! It took approx. 2-3 hours to save me from the possible damage that could occur if this monster fell off!!! (see my hardware). GOOD LUCK!!!! and may the force be with you!!! (Let me know your opinion on this Idea. Maybe Thermalright will like MY idea....and call me..... :dude: ) (NOTICE: I TAKE NO RESPOSIBILITY IF YOU DAMAGE YOUR STUFF TRYING THIS!!!!)
good one! a lot of people have been modding headsinks to use the holes in the mobo. ive seen a few pics of the coolermaster IHC-L71 which is actually a P4 cooler being bolted onto AMD motherboards!!! the cooler im on about is this one - one beast of a cooler.
That bolt- idea is one i've had for securing my HCC-001 ....since my new 8K3A+ has the lugs sideways on the board the HS exerts more pressure on them
use nilon bolts and nuts and save all that faffing around. nylon should support that sort of weight its cheaper. they are used on model aircraft and they do snap but it takes quite allot of temp and or pressure so should be safe. btw i think this thread could be handy to know if ure heat sink is too heavy.
Just a question about the whole "falling off bussines". Have this ever happend to anyone? Or even been close to falling off? I myself have hard to believe that it would just break the motherboard and fall off. But I must say that it depends. When you say "a system that moves around", what does that exactly mean? That the HSF is often changed, or that misc hardware is changed in the case? Would be nice to hear some oppinions since I own a AX-7. I haven't tried it yet, still waiting for my new CPU This was taken from http://www.ocwarehouse.com "Due to the large size of the heatsink, it took me a while to get it installed properly. The clip in particular made this task a bit more lengthy and difficult. The AX-7 uses a three prong clip that utilizes all 6 lugs surrounding the CPU socket. In pre-production models, the heatsink was attached using only one lug on each side. Thermalright quickly changed the design flaw after many people started to fear that the heatsink could easily fall off due to it’s sheer size/weight. Bravo to Thermalright for noticing and fixing that issue ASAP!"
i have seen pictures of a fallen of hsf which killed the cpu, the cpu socket (thus the mobo) the gfx card and the sound card...so yeas it does happen.... but i cant find the link at the mo...
I have an AX-7 but my mobo doesn't have mounting holes like newer mobos out there. I think the AX-7's clip, which uses all three pegs on both sides, is already enough to hold it in place, in addition to the extremely difficult task of installing it on in the first place.
