ASUS Crosshair IV Formula (possible) NB problem

[adriabb]

Hey, I'm a novice builder and I've already ordered an ASUS Crosshair IV Formula just to discover that some of them have NB temperature issues. They say it's very easy to fix but, anyway, I'm a little confused:

- How can I identify if the board is right or not?
- In what does the problem exactly consist?
- How can I fix it?

And finally an extra question:

- Would you return it to the store and buy a GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 (192€)? I choosed the Crosshair IV (199€) because they say the software for Auto-OC is very, very good. On the other hand, I don't really know if I can return it to the store, is that a normal procedure (I bought it in main online store here in Spain)?

Thanks a lot,

Pd: You can answer in Spanish if you want, anyway I defend myself with English... I'll be posting the news as they come. Thanks again.

 

[Iron Woode]

its not the board, its the heatsink. Its not being held down correctly.

if it were me, I would just buy a chipset HSF and be done with it.

 

[adriabb]

What do you mean when you say "I would just buy a chipset HSF and be done with it."? I'm going to recieve the board in a day or two, let's see if is the good one...

Thanks,

 

[Iron Woode]

What do you mean when you say "I would just buy a chipset HSF and be done with it."? I'm going to recieve the board in a day or two, let's see if is the good one...

Thanks,

I researched the NB issue. It is caused by the heat sink not contacting the northbridge and not transfering heat properly.

The hold down clips are not correct for the heat sink.

An aftermarket chipset fan will fix that issue as well as making it run even cooler.

 

[Rifter]

so why would you pay the extra cash for this board over the gigabyte mentioned in the OP? I would go postal if i paid that much for a premium board and had to mod it out of the box just to get it to work.

 

[StrangerGuy]

so why would you pay the extra cash for this board over the gigabyte mentioned in the OP? I would go postal if i paid that much for a premium board and had to mod it out of the box just to get it to work.

More expensive = better quality!

Right...?

*snicker* (considering OP is buying Asus ROG for unlocked CPUs)

 

[james1701]

Its just depressing to see every third review on New Egg list that problem.

 

[Laztlain]

Hi adriabb and welcome to the forum!

I am looking to purchase this Asus board as well, and will do so from Newegg. If you are not familiar with Newegg they are probably the most common online shop for PC hardware in the US. They also provide a great deal of customer reviews from people who have purchased thier products. You can find many reviews on the Asus Crosshair IV Formula here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131644

Within these reviews you may find a solution to the NB overheating problem if your board happens to suffer from it. For example, I took this direct from one of the customer reviews on Newegg:

"Northbridge (NB) temperature went to over 90C just turned on in the hardware monitor portion of the BIOS. I removed the motherboard (already installed) and removed the heatsink assembly on the northbridge and southbridge. The heat sink assembly was not even in contact with the northbridge chipset based on the fact the thermal pad was new and untouched. Moved the brass standoffs from the southbridge to the northbridge, filed down the silver ones a little for the southbridge and reassembled with new heat sink compound for southbridge. Temperatures now 30-40C on northbridge."

Hope this helps!