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EK & 775 bolth through kit

BTRY B 529th FA BN

BTRY B 529th FA BN

Lifer
Same product, different question. Aigomorla, (howz that pronounced anyways!?!) with the spring retention kit that comes with the EK Supreme having no stopping points for over-tightening the nuts on the screws, i've become a little concerned about breaking trace routes on my board. Until now, I've not thought of a bolt through kit replacement. While checking that 1366 EK block, I noticed a 775 bolt through kit that looks similar to my Thermalright 120 eXtreme HS's found here. Will that work with/on my EK block?
 
I can anwser this one.

The Thermalright retention bracket you linked (which is the same as the Sidewinder version) has threaded inserts, so the four sprung bolts bolt from the top into the HSF bracket through the MB into the threaded inserts on the retention bracket on the backside of the MB.

The EK block works in a different way. They supply 4 bolts (they are M4s I think), which bolt from the bottom through the MB, then through the EK block bracket. You then put the springs and thumb nuts on to the bolt from the top side of the MB.

So in a nutshell it looks like this:

Sprung bolt
|
CPU HSF bracket (or water block bracket)
|
MB
|
threaded insert on Thermalright (or Sidewinder) retention bracket

Whereas, the EK mounting is like this:

Spring and thumb nut
|
CPU HSF bracket (or water block bracket)
|
MB
|
Bolts

The problem you have is that the spacing between the MB and a CPU HSF is different to the spacing between the MB and the EK water block. i.e. you will find that if you use the Thermalright retention bracket, then the springs on the bolts will either be too loose or will put too much pressure (I've forgotten which one it is) on the waterblock bracket, which either provides inadeqaute contact between the CPU IHS and block or even worse, there is too much pressure which could damage/crack the water block. With the former scenario you have the option of packing out the excess space with washers. With the latter scenario you are very limited what you can do.

You have another option, which is what I did.

Using a pillar drill, drill out the threaded inserts on the Thermalright retention bracket, so that the bolts, which are supplied with the water block will pass through the bracket. You cannot do this with a hand drill, because the holes in the retention bracket have to be perfectly vertical otherwise the bolts will not pass through the retention bracket, MB and bracket on the water block. i.e. the bolts will be cock-eyed.

You can then use the springs and thumb nuts, as you would normally if the retention bracket wasn't being used. The beauty of the spring and nuts is that you can adjust the pressure applied to the EK water block, whereas with the spring bolts, you are limited with what you can do.

Then, after modding the retention bracket, all I did was re-wrapped it with eletrical tape to prevent shorts. I also covered the bolts heads with tape.

So essentailly it looks like this:

Spring and thumb nut
|
CPU water block bracket
|
MB
|
Thermalright (or Sidewinder) retention bracket
|
Bolts

I hope my answer is not too confusing and that you understand what I'm trying to explain.
 
So you are saying the spacing is too wide for the sidewinder bolt through kit to work with the block.

I'm thinking spacers would be my best answer.

EDIT: the main thing I'm worried about is breaking or damaging trace routes on the motherboard not the block.
 
make things short no.

the thermalright stock backplate uses some funky ass metric screws.

The only screws that natively slip right though the thread is the d-tek screws.

If you do get a thermalright backplate, be prepared to spend some time with a drill!

If you need a backplate, scythe makes a nice one, and so does swiftech.
 
All the back plate does is spread the load from the 4 bolts, so you don't get point loads and MB warpage. It also helps evenly distribute the contact between the CPU IHS and the water block.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'help support the motherboard as to keep it from damaging trace routes?' The MB should be suported by the stand offs.

The backplate shouldn't touch the backside of the MB or the MB tray. i.e. the backplate will be spaced off the MB with nylon (I think?) washers, so it doesn't touch the tracks or contacts on the MB. There should be a gap between the backplate and the tray, to prevent shorts, although this is not a problem if you wrap the plate completely with electrical tape.
 
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Originally posted by: daw123
Or to make life simpler, you can buy the EK backplate:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/eklga775.html

Believe me it is easier just to do this than faff about with the Thermalright retention bracket.

I'll be buying the LGA1366 equivalent:
http://specialtech.co.uk/spsho...uct.php?productid=7691
Click to expand...

Will that support the motherboard as to keep it from damaging trace routes?
Click to expand...

Your board will be fine with the EK backplate. motherboards are extremely flexible for what they are. My TR-U120 has bent my 680i and it still works fine.
 
BTRY. I recommend wrapping the backplate in electrical tape just to make sure it cannot cause any short circuits.
 
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