heat-sinks that don't require a bottom mounted bracket?

[trollolo]

looking to add some after market cooling to a pre-built. are there any good HSF's that can just be slapped on top, and don't require me to pull the mainboard out?

 

[Spikesoldier]

probably not. most OEM cooling solutions use their own backplate so you would have to take it out to use the holes around it anyway.

 

[BoomerD]

There are a few decent ones that use the same push-pin mounting that the OEM HSF uses...they're not great, but probably better than the stock units.
You haven't told us what you have, so these are just samples:

http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Cooling.../dp/B0048F64DU

http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Si.../dp/B005BMYUZ8

http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=83028

There are quite a few available...personally, I wouldn't use a CPU cooler that uses the push-pin mounts if it's bigger than the stock HSF. IMO, the mounting isn't sturdy enough to hold larger HSF's, plus it's easy to mount them incorrectly...and you can damage the motherboard.

Removing a motherboard can be a PITA, but IMO, it's well worth the time.

 

[trollolo]

that's awesome, how did you filter your search to give those results?

 

[BoomerD]

I googled, "push-pin cpu coolers."

 

[Zap]

I googled, "push-pin cpu coolers."

There's a LMGTFY joke somewhere in there.

You can also go to a site like Newegg and just look at the pictures. anyone familiar with how they look can usually spot them.

 

[BoomerD]

There's a LMGTFY joke somewhere in there.

You can also go to a site like Newegg and just look at the pictures. anyone familiar with how they look can usually spot them.

True...but I generally don't do that...especially to newbies...although, with the damned gay pony in his/her avatar...maybe I should have. :biggrin:

 

[Meghan54]

There are quite a few available...personally, I wouldn't use a CPU cooler that uses the push-pin mounts if it's bigger than the stock HSF. IMO, the mounting isn't sturdy enough to hold larger HSF's, plus it's easy to mount them incorrectly...and you can damage the motherboard.

Maybe true you fear the push pin mounts, but I have used these two heatsinks with their push pin mounts, and neither ever gave a problem or warped/fractured/damaged a single motherboard they were installed on.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233088

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233001

Also used the Arctic Cooling one you linked, but its push pin system really blew chunks compared to the Xigmateks.

Those two styles of Xigmatek coolers mounted fast, easy and tight, despite using the dreaded push pin mounts.

 

[BoomerD]

Maybe true you fear the push pin mounts, but I have used these two heatsinks with their push pin mounts, and neither ever gave a problem or warped/fractured/damaged a single motherboard they were installed on.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233088

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233001

Also used the Arctic Cooling one you linked, but its push pin system really blew chunks compared to the Xigmateks.

Those two styles of Xigmatek coolers mounted fast, easy and tight, despite using the dreaded push pin mounts.

If they're installed properly, push-pin mounts aren't a problem...however, too many people DON'T install them right.

I had an older version of the Zalman CNPS7700C-Cu cooler on my P4 Socket 478 for many years. (478 had pin mounts, all others had a back plate mount) Never a problem...I prefer CPU coolers that have back plates however. IMO, they spread the weight of mounting better and take much of the stress off the board.

 

[Brakner]

The new Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 sort of fixes that issue with the mounting bracket, you secure the bracket with the push pins then screw the HS into the bracket. I have both the AC 7 and AC 13 on my second and third PC and the 13 was soooooooooo much easier to install.

 

[Rinaun]

I'd go with the AC 13. It's pretty quiet, definitely the easiest to install like mentioned above. It's also fairly cheap compared to the Bolt-on alternatives (hyper 212+, etc).

http://www.svc.com/fan-free13.html

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'd go with the AC 13. It's pretty quiet, definitely the easiest to install like mentioned above. It's also fairly cheap compared to the Bolt-on alternatives (hyper 212+, etc).

http://www.svc.com/fan-free13.html

Is there a way to attach that cooler to an AM3+ CPU? I don't see installation parts for AM3 in the picture on SVC's site, which is actually just the same picture from AC's site.

I also cannot find any videos on YouTube for "Freezer 13 AM3".

 

[dawp]

according to arctic cooling, it does:

AMD Socket FM1, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, 939, 754

http://www.arctic.ac/en/p/cooling/cpu.html

 

[Meghan54]

If they're installed properly, push-pin mounts aren't a problem...however, too many people DON'T install them right.

I had an older version of the Zalman CNPS7700C-Cu cooler on my P4 Socket 478 for many years. (478 had pin mounts, all others had a back plate mount) Never a problem...I prefer CPU coolers that have back plates however. IMO, they spread the weight of mounting better and take much of the stress off the board.

Quite right, Boomer. Push pins aren't exactly horrible and in most cases, the problems with them are user error.

That said, I also agree backplates are the real choice because of the reasons you put forth above....support, spreading the load, etc. They can be a pain, though, with cases that don't have rear access to the mb while it's mounted. Thankfully, that problem seems to be decreasing as each new decent case that's released is including rear access to the mb, and even sometimes actually lines up with the cooler's mounting holes.