Arctic cooling freezer 13 pro mounting bracket warning

[Puppies04]

I purchased an arctic cooling freezer 13 PRO about 8 months ago and thought I would let people know about a fault that has just developed on it.

Basically I noticed the idle temps rising a couple of days ago but didn't have any time to see what the problem was so I figured I would take a look over the weekend.

Well after removing the cooler I can report that the mounting bracket has snapped one side and has a hairline crack in the other, this is the part that the cooler screws too to hold it tight against the CPU.

I fully understand that this could have been caused by me overtightening the screws but it begs the question why would it last 8 months and then fail if this was the case. I figure a more likely scenario is the weight of the cooler (it does weigh almost a kilo) has caused this to happen. I have contacted arctic cooling to see if I can get a mounting bracket on its own without purchasing a whole new cooler and will update this thread with the reply but I thought it prudent to mention this to anyone thinking of buying this product.

 

[truckerCLOCK]

I fully understand that this could have been caused by me overtightening the screws but it begs the question why would it last 8 months and then fail if this was the case

I would say you are at fault for over tightening the screws. The vibration from the fan and heat from the CPU overt time, in your case 8 months, caused it to fail.

 

[Puppies04]

I would say you are at fault for over tightening the screws. The vibration from the fan and heat from the CPU overt time, in your case 8 months, caused it to fail.

So you think I am to blame but you also think the weight of the cooler and the heat from the CPU caused it to fail.....ok

 

[Puppies04]

Quick update on this, arctic cooling replied to my email asking if I could purchase the mounting bracket seperatly from the cooler first thing this morning. I have just sent them proof of purchase for the cooler and they are going to send me a new bracket F.O.C. Very impressed I wish all hardware companies were this prompt and generous.

 

[truckerCLOCK]

So you think I am to blame but you also think the weight of the cooler and the heat from the CPU caused it to fail.....ok

No Im saying that as a result of you over tightening the screws the mount broke....not right away but it took eights months of wear (heat from the CPU + vibration from the fan) to finally break. I have 3 coolers from AC and have had no problems whatsoever.

 

[Puppies04]

No Im saying that as a result of you over tightening the screws the mount broke....not right away but it took eights months of wear (heat from the CPU + vibration from the fan) to finally break. I have 3 coolers from AC and have had no problems whatsoever.

Well all I can say is I wasn't aware I was "over tightening" them, where exactly am I supposed to look for guidance on this? Like most people who invest in an aftermarket heatsink I am looking for the lowest possible temps so I am not going to leave the screws slack but I certainly didn't go at them like a gorilla.

I was aware when I bought the cooler I wasn't buying a "top end" product but I must say I was and still am slightly disappointed that the mounting bracket doesn't have metal inserts for the screws to thread into (or even a complete metal bracket), you are basically hanging almost a kilo of metal off 2 screws with a very "tight" thread into a peice of leightweight plastic.

Anyway, I am very happy with the service I have received from AC and will definately consider them next time I buy a CPU cooler but I don't think I will be buying one without a metal mounting plate again.