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Alternatives to push-pins?

H

Hiphopopotamus54

Junior Member
Hi guys. I recently got an Arctic Freezer 7 Pro and I tried putting it in when I guess one of the pins broke! I didn't have a problem installing the stock HS that came with my Intel CPU but this one just gave me hell. Do I have any alternatives? Can I replace the push-pins with plastic screws? Any special kind of bolt bracket thing that will work with my AF7P?

 
+1 Gillbot

I would recommend using the bolt through kit - its much better than push pins. You can re-use it time and time again and it provides better support for the HSF (certainly if the HSF is big and heavy). The springs on the bolts also help make sure that the HSF is distributed evenly across the CPU.

The downside is that you will need to remove the MB every time you install / remove it, unless you cut a hole in the MB tray to gain access to the back plate on the bolt through kit on the back side of the MB. Obviously the MB needs to be removed to enable you to cut the tray.
 
I'm not a fan of the whole push pin heatsink mounting business. However I found after multiple attempts & failures, the best/safest way to install an AC Freezer 7 is to first remove the fan (Should just slide off the heatsink). Makes the pins much more accessible and reduces the risk of planting a screw driver into your motherboard, or breaking a pin.

(Please for the love of all that is holy, AMD do NOT follow Intel on the crummy push pin HS design in your future products.)
 
Originally posted by: Hiphopopotamus54
Thanks a lot man! Just ordered it. So glad I won't have to deal with those horrible pins anymore.
Click to expand...

You will be happy with that bolt-thru kit! I'm using it, and it is 1000% better!
 
Sorry for the double post, but I'm kind of confused by the tutorial.

Do I leave the white strip on and mount it on the motherboard as is? I don't get the whole part about the cardboard modification.

English is not my native language and I'm still learning. 🙁
 
I just had to post my experience using the Thermalright backplate with the Intel stock HSF. First, forget about trying to salvage the f@#$ing push pins. Just break the little black plastic holding arms, separate them and THROW THEM AWAY. I mounted the backplate,(yes I had to disassemble my motherboard and pull it out). However the stock HSF mounted wonderfully tight and my OCCT temps are 55C under load instead of 75C!! That's running my e6300 at 333FSB instead of the stock 266. No matter how well you think that Intel HSF is mounted, you are probably not making the correct contact. Twenty degrees is a MAJOR difference. If the stock HSF didn't have the push pins, it would probably be a good unit. I'm going to change over my 2 kids' computers. Worth the $20 for 3 sets and shipping!!! BTW, I also used electrical tape on the back of the mobo around the mounting holes just to insure that there will never be any contact with the metal solder joints.


Had to add this. If you are buying an aftermarket HSF, make damn sure that it doesn't have PUSH PINS!! IMO push pins defeat the whole reason - better cooling - to have an aftermarket HSF solution.
 
Originally posted by: fritzfield
However the stock HSF mounted wonderfully tight and my OCCT temps are 55C under load instead of 75C!! That's running my e6300 at 333FSB instead of the stock 266. No matter how well you think that Intel HSF is mounted, you are probably not making the correct contact.
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If the CPU runs 75ºC at stock settings under load, then yes it probably wasn't making good contact. However, I believe the stock HSF of an E6300 should be able to make good enough contact with the plastic push pins so that it doesn't run that hot. Dunno... I'm just sayin'.
 
Originally posted by: Zap
Originally posted by: fritzfield
However the stock HSF mounted wonderfully tight and my OCCT temps are 55C under load instead of 75C!! That's running my e6300 at 333FSB instead of the stock 266. No matter how well you think that Intel HSF is mounted, you are probably not making the correct contact.
Click to expand...

If the CPU runs 75ºC at stock settings under load, then yes it probably wasn't making good contact. However, I believe the stock HSF of an E6300 should be able to make good enough contact with the plastic push pins so that it doesn't run that hot. Dunno... I'm just sayin'.
Click to expand...

I agree that it should make good contact if mounted correctly. AAMOF, I have always had confidence in Intel's design. However, when my temps kept hitting 75C under load, I tried re-applying the AS and reseating several times thinking that I had done the mounting incorrectly.

It seems that the design of these flimsy plastic pins precludes correct mounting or remounting. I wonder how many CPUs out there are running hotter than they should be because these push-pins, appearing to be seated correctly, are not correct. I was going to replace the HSF with an aftermarket unit that doesn't have push-pins, but when I saw this $5 solution being touted as working with the stock HSF I gave it a try. With this simple mounting bracket in place, there is no question that the HSF assembly is in intimate contact with the CPU and stably affixed to the mobo. I don't know what extra cost this solution would be for Intel to use on all of its stock HSF, but it can't be so much that it would add significantly to the price of a boxed CPU. The HSF is adequate, just a flaw in the mounting mechanism design.

Really, the security of knowing that the HSF is mounted in a stable manner seems very important now that I have seen the difference.
 
I have the Freezer7 with the Thermalright Bolt through kit purchased through sidewinder and it works great. Makes it secure and gives piece of mind.
 
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