AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Backplate and Retention Frame

[EEsRULE]

I just bought an AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (retail box) from NewEgg, and on the side of the box it says
"This box contains: AMD Athlon 64 processor, Heatsink/fan, retention frame, backplate, bezel sticker, installation guide, Certificate of Authenticity and three-year limited warranty information".

To my rude awakening, when I tried to install the new CPU into my new ABIT KV8-MAX3 motherboard (yeah, yeah I know the VIA K8T800 chipset is not for overclockers, but I'm a coward when it comes to overclocking) I noticed both the retention frame and backplate were missing from the "supposed" retail box processor. I called NewEgg, but of course they aren't open on the weekends. It's highly unlikely that AMD forgot to package these things inside the box, which leads me to believe this was a returned item that NewEgg is trying to pass off as new (i.e. not an open box item). This is my first time to buy from NewEgg (and to post on this forum), and thus far they haven't started off on the right foot.

Enough ranting I guess. My question is this. Does anybody know if the retention frame and backplate are unique to the AMD Athlon 64 processors or can I purchase similar ones meant for an AMD Athlon XP from a place like Fry's Electronics (they have 4 large stores here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area)? This may be a stupid question because the Athlon XPs probably mount differently (this is my first AMD system; for the last 8 years or so I've always used Intel and Asus for my systems, and usually the motherboard came with the posts and/or frames needed to mount the processor if my memory serves me correctly). The reason I ask is that I'd like to get my new system up and running by the end of this weekend, as opposed to having to ship stuff back and forth between Texas and California and not being able to do anything for another week or two. Thanks for the help.

 

[Dman877]

My mobo had the frame and backplate on it, I got an oem cpu though so I don't know about that.

I just looked at that mobo on abit's site and it certainly doesn't have the frame... that's wierd, I thought most mobo's had the heatsink retention stuff standard.

 

[myocardia]

Okay, you aren't going to need a different backplate, since the cpu doesn't go through the back of the case. The backplate should have come with the motherboard you bought. The retention frame is another story. Since you live in Dallas, go to Fry's and buy one; they should be available for less than $10. Of course, if you're making a trip to Fry's anyway, you might as well pick up a better heatsink, which will come with it's own retention clip, and shouldn't cost much over $20.

edit: If it isn't too far for you, the Fry's over on Northwest Highway and 635 seems to have the most parts/best selection of the Dallas-area Fry's stores.

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: myocardia
Okay, you aren't going to need a different backplate, since the cpu doesn't go through the back of the case. The backplate should have come with the motherboard you bought. The retention frame is another story. Since you live in Dallas, go to Fry's and buy one; they should be available for less than $10. Of course, if you're making a trip to Fry's anyway, you might as well pick up a better heatsink, which will come with it's own retention clip, and shouldn't cost much over $20.

edit: If it isn't too far for you, the Fry's over on Northwest Highway and 635 seems to have the most parts/best selection of the Dallas-area Fry's stores.

unless you go to the new one in Plano off of Bush and 75!!!

 

[EEsRULE]

I bought my Abit KV8-MAX3 motherboard retail box, and it doesn't have a backplate or retention frame. There are two large holes in the motherboard on either side of the CPU socket. According to the step-by-step instructions on the brochure that came with the AMD 64 CPU, the backplate has a "release liner" on the back of it (fancy term for a sticker) that you remove to reveal the adhesive that sticks to the motherboard plate of the case. The backplate has two threaded standoffs that stick through the aforementioned holes in the motherboard, and you screw in the retention frame into those threaded standoffs. You have to line up the two threaded standoffs with the holes in the motherboard, then after you have your motherboard in place, you are supposed to press firmly down on the socket to stick the backplate in place. Even if I buy a retention frame at Fry's, I still need something for it to attach to (i.e. two threaded standoffs). Of course, the holes on the motherboard on either side of the CPU socket don't line up with any existing holes in the motherboard plate of my case . Any suggestions?

 

[myocardia]

Well, it's too late now, but if you had went to Fry's and bought an aftermarket hsf, it will come with any standoffs or backplates needed. Well, most of them do, so just don't buy one that doesn't.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Shimmishim

Originally posted by: myocardia
Okay, you aren't going to need a different backplate, since the cpu doesn't go through the back of the case. The backplate should have come with the motherboard you bought. The retention frame is another story. Since you live in Dallas, go to Fry's and buy one; they should be available for less than $10. Of course, if you're making a trip to Fry's anyway, you might as well pick up a better heatsink, which will come with it's own retention clip, and shouldn't cost much over $20.

edit: If it isn't too far for you, the Fry's over on Northwest Highway and 635 seems to have the most parts/best selection of the Dallas-area Fry's stores.

unless you go to the new one in Plano off of Bush and 75!!!

They've built another one? Damn! Well, north Plano is too far for anyone to drive to, anyway.

 

[Algere]

Doesn't sound right my Athlon 64 3000+(Retail) from NewEgg bought back in January came with a retention frame and backplate.

 

[EEsRULE]

That's why I suspect NewEgg sent me an open box item instead of a brand new retail box. What are the odds that AMD would forget to include the retention frame and backplate when they packaged it in the factory? I also went by the Fry's in Irving today to see if I could buy a fan/heatsink that includes the retention frame and backplate, but of course they were closed since it's Easter. It was kind of funny seeing a constant stream of cars driving up to the front of Fry's then doing a U-TURN to get back to the highway after noticing it was closed. If the owner of Fry's looked at a video tape of all the cars coming in and going out, he would kick himself for being closed on Easter.

Note: I am not a heathen, just a PC junkie in need of a quick fix

 

[myocardia]

I think they sent you an open-box proc. too. If I were you, I would call them tomorrow morning, and tell them that this is the first time you've ordered from them, and it will be the last, if they don't make it right. They will send you another one tomorrow, and credit your card with the first one when it arrives. You should have one to install by Thursday, I would think, if you handle them right.

 

[EEsRULE]

Thanks for the advice. I'll do that and let you know what happens.

 

[Treyshadow]

Yes, the retail box units come with backplates

My processor did not come with a backplate either.
My board should have (MSI K8T Neo FISR2) but did not

I just got a new board (good ol' fry's)

However alpha(the heatsink maker) carries just the Backplate

Also the Thermaltake Venus 7+ comes with the backplate. None of the newer versions do.

Some of the opteron heatsinks come with one too.

 

[EEsRULE]

Well, I contacted NewEgg this morning and they said to mail it back (they gave me an RMA number) and they'll send me another retail box processor 1-2 business days after they receive the returned CPU. They offered to do the cross shipping thing, but I'm tapped out money wise. I paid $11.97 for Fed Ex Saver. NewEgg said the maximum they will reimburse me on shipping is $10. So, I guess I'm out $1.97 and of course the extra week and a half or so delay in getting my new system up and running. I guess it could have been worse

 

[myocardia]

I'm glad to hear it's all straightened out (thus far, anyway). Newegg isn't the absolute cheapest place to order from online, but they're the best whenever there's any problem. I've never personally had any problem with them, but when you're shipping 100's of orders an hour (probably more), there's always a chance for someone to screw up somewhere down the line. What I like about them is if there is something wrong with your product, they don't try to act like it's your fault, and try to make you jump through hoops to get the problem resolved, like alot of these other sites do.

 

[EEsRULE]

Well, NewEgg supposedly sent me another retail boxed CPU, but it looks identical to the one they sent me before. It is still missing the backplate and retention frame. I think they took what I RMAed back to them and packaged into a different box. I paid almost $12 to RMA it back, and they still haven't refunded me the maximum $10 shipping that they said they would.

This is very frustrating, because I can't build my new system without something to secure the CPU to. I noticed that on ABIT's USA website they have a link to Excaliber PC where they sell a backplate and retention frame for $10.99 specifically for my particular motherboard. The link is

http://www.excaliberpc.com/product_info.php?cPath=156_159&products_id=3269 .

I guess I'm going to have to call NewEgg in the morning and complain yet again. At this point, I just want to return the CPU and get my money back and buy it from someone else. However, they'll probably want to charge me a 15% restocking fee, and they'll probably stiff me on the shipping. So in the end, the CPU will wind up costing me $223 + (2)($11.97) + (0.15)($223) = $280.39. At that price, I could have gotten an AMD 64 3200+ instead.

What do you guys think my best play is here? Should I rant at NewEgg again OR just chalk it up to a bad experience and spend the $10.99 to get the missing backplate and retention frame that I need? To top things off, early Tuesday morning I bought a retail box GAINWARD nVIDIA GeForce FX5900XT Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV Out, 8X AGP, Model "FX PowerPack! Ultra/1100XT Golden Sample" from NewEgg for $200. I spent an extra $2.99 for rush handling so I could get the card by Friday and install it in my new system. Now those plans are shot since I can't install the CPU.

 

[Algere]

Word over at the AMD forums is that the reason retail A64's aren't being packaged with the retention frame/backplate is because when the A64 was first introduced some motherboard manufacturers were in a rush to market their motherboards and therefore some motherboards didn't come with a retention frame/backplate so AMD supplied the retention frame/backplate with their processors(retail) but now that new A64 motherboards in production include the retention frame/backplate as standard, AMD stopped including the retention frame/backplate with their A64's.

EDIT: Your not alone on this matter.

 

[EEsRULE]

Thank you for the info. I'm glad to see I'm not losing my mind

I just sent an e-mail to AMD's tech support. If their reply has anything substantial to say, I'll post it here.

 

[Phew]

I am in the same boat. I bought a retail 3200+ A64, the new Foxconn Mobo, and Thermaltake Venus12 HSF. None of the 3 came with the retention frame and backplate. A 2 minute phonecall to AMD tech support, and they are sending me a free retention frame. The tech said Abit and Foxconn are the two major mobo manufacturers that do not include a retention frame, but the other manufacturers do. AMD used to include the frame/plate with retail A64s, but stopped recently and haven't changed the packing. Because the package says it includes one, they will ship you one for free if you ask and give them your S/N.

I'm not happy about waiting for this part, but I am glad AMD takes responsibility for the problem.

 

[Bar81]

If you guys are still looking I have what you need:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=45&threadid=1310869

 

[mechBgon]

Sorry to be Captain Obvious here, but the retail package for AMD processors is that "bring-your-own-demolition-squad" plastic clamshell stuff like the AthlonXP in this photo. If it's ever been opened, there's no way to hide the fact. I know that doesn't get you any further towards a running system, but maybe it'll save you from shooting at the wrong target here. Go after AMD themselves, since they're the ones who sealed the retail box without the necessary loot inside.