1366 bolt thru kit question

[Burner27]

I just setup my new i7 setup. I am using an Ultima 90 heatsink and I bought the 1366 bolt thru kit. Question is regarding the screws. I read on their website that you are supposed to "bolt down" on the screws in a criss-cross manner. I did this, but I went until the screws stopped turning anymore. The springs are not fully compressed either. I'd say mine are 1/2 compressed. The board isn't warped either. Did I do it right?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Burner27
Did I do it right?

Yup. The springs give it the proper tension. Screwing it down criss-cross keeps it even on the core during installation, so it doesn't squeeze out the thermal compound all funny.

 

[Burner27]

Ah thank you. So I was supposed to go until the screws no longer turn then?

 

[Tweakin]

Yes...it's all about the springs.

 

[Burner27]

This is my readings using RealTemp:

http://s3.supload.com/files/default/RealTemp.jpg

 

[Arcanedeath]

Seems fine if thats idle, how's it under load?

 

[Burner27]

Originally posted by: Arcanedeath
Seems fine if thats idle, how's it under load?

http://s3.supload.com/files/default/StressedCPU.jpg

 

[Zap]

:thumbsup: Looks good.

 

[Burner27]

I know this is stupid to ask now but, what is the likelihood you could do damage to the CPU or socket during installation? I mean the load plate pretty much keeps the CPU from moving, but other than too much pressure being put on the socket or CPU by cranking down on the screws (even though i know the spring-loaded screws are meant to prevent that and the screws themselves stop once they can go no more)--how tough is the socket once the CPU is in it?

I ask because during my installation, 2 of the opposing screws (diagonally from each other) went on the bracket fine, while the other two, while cranking them down, kinda caused the bracket to slide down a bit rough over the backplate screw holes. Not sure if that would do any damage. In the end they are all even and the board isn't warped, I am just paranoid that I may have damaged the socket (bent a pin) or the CPU by putting too much pressure on the IHS during the semi-uneven install. I ave had no issues with the board at all since my install.

Thank you

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Burner27
I know this is stupid to ask now but, what is the likelihood you could do damage to the CPU or socket during installation? I mean the load plate pretty much keeps the CPU from moving, but other than too much pressure being put on the socket or CPU by cranking down on the screws (even though i know the spring-loaded screws are meant to prevent that and the screws themselves stop once they can go no more)--how tough is the socket once the CPU is in it?

I ask because during my installation, 2 of the opposing screws (diagonally from each other) went on the bracket fine, while the other two, while cranking them down, kinda caused the bracket to slide down a bit rough over the backplate screw holes. Not sure if that would do any damage. In the end they are all even and the board isn't warped, I am just paranoid that I may have damaged the socket (bent a pin) or the CPU by putting too much pressure on the IHS during the semi-uneven install. I ave had no issues with the board at all since my install.

Thank you

Once the CPU is in the socket and mounted flush, there's very little chance to damage the socket pins as they depress. If you were to somehow mount the CPU incorrectly, or use force and twist and turn the CPU inside the socket, then you could cause serious damage to the pins.

As for the socket itself, its pretty durable. There's very little risk of breaking anything as long as you tighten the screws little by little and alternate between the 4 screws. What I have seen however in some horror pics is the entire socket area ripped out of the motherboard during transportation due to the weight of the CPU coolers. There's literally a square hole in the mobo where the CPU used to be.

Finally back to your original question, I personally hate the Thermalright mounting system. The amount of pressure applied isn't nearly enough imo, as the heatsink can slide around quite a bit with the stock mounting method. The problem is that the screws, even with the springs essentially "bottom-out" and prevent you from tightening them further. I ended up scrapping the Thermalright back plate and used some 2" 8/40 screws with a Thermaltake backplate from my Big Typhoon. Then I reversed the X-bracket and used some wing nuts to tighten it down. Also put a neoprene washer between the bracket and CPU plate. Needless to say, the heat sink doesn't move anymore and it dropped my load temps a good 10C under Prime/OCCT/Linpack.

 

[Burner27]

Also, does anyone notice that the 'arms' of the retention mechanism have a slight bend in them after being securely mounted? Mainly right near the ends where the spring loaded screws apply pressure.

 

[Elganja]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: Burner27
I know this is stupid to ask now but, what is the likelihood you could do damage to the CPU or socket during installation? I mean the load plate pretty much keeps the CPU from moving, but other than too much pressure being put on the socket or CPU by cranking down on the screws (even though i know the spring-loaded screws are meant to prevent that and the screws themselves stop once they can go no more)--how tough is the socket once the CPU is in it?

I ask because during my installation, 2 of the opposing screws (diagonally from each other) went on the bracket fine, while the other two, while cranking them down, kinda caused the bracket to slide down a bit rough over the backplate screw holes. Not sure if that would do any damage. In the end they are all even and the board isn't warped, I am just paranoid that I may have damaged the socket (bent a pin) or the CPU by putting too much pressure on the IHS during the semi-uneven install. I ave had no issues with the board at all since my install.

Thank you

Once the CPU is in the socket and mounted flush, there's very little chance to damage the socket pins as they depress. If you were to somehow mount the CPU incorrectly, or use force and twist and turn the CPU inside the socket, then you could cause serious damage to the pins.

As for the socket itself, its pretty durable. There's very little risk of breaking anything as long as you tighten the screws little by little and alternate between the 4 screws. What I have seen however in some horror pics is the entire socket area ripped out of the motherboard during transportation due to the weight of the CPU coolers. There's literally a square hole in the mobo where the CPU used to be.

Finally back to your original question, I personally hate the Thermalright mounting system. The amount of pressure applied isn't nearly enough imo, as the heatsink can slide around quite a bit with the stock mounting method. The problem is that the screws, even with the springs essentially "bottom-out" and prevent you from tightening them further. I ended up scrapping the Thermalright back plate and used some 2" 8/40 screws with a Thermaltake backplate from my Big Typhoon. Then I reversed the X-bracket and used some wing nuts to tighten it down. Also put a neoprene washer between the bracket and CPU plate. Needless to say, the heat sink doesn't move anymore and it dropped my load temps a good 10C under Prime/OCCT/Linpack.

you can get more spring pressure by using washers/spacers or by cutting the screws by a little bit (basically compressing the springs some more). I plan on doing this when I get my stuff this week (i7 w/ the Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme RT 1366 CPU Cooler and evga x58 board)