Heatsink Issues with Asus P8P67 Deluxe

[Chymerix]

I just received parts for a new sandy bridge build:

Intel 2600K
Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme
Asus P8P67 Deluxe
8 GB Gskill Ripjaws X

When I went to install the tuniq tower backplate on the motherboard, I noticed that the backplate does not sit flush on the back of the motherboard. A screw from one of the heatsinks on the motherboard pushes the backplate up and prevents it from resting evenly.

I was going to try to finish mounting the heatsink anyway, but decided against it. Has anyone else encountered this issue? It seems strange considering socket 1156 heatsinks are supposed to fit socket 1155. Newegg even lists the Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme as being compatible with socket 1155.

Image Links:

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/1522/20110115013754dsc5341ed.jpg
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/4407/20110115013840dsc5342.jpg
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/6444/20110115013842dsc5343.jpg

 

[Spike]

I don't know about that board or cooler in particular but on my corsair A70 the 1156 screw setting lined up perfectly with the 1155 holes on my Asrock P67 motherboard.

 

[Chymerix]

It's not an issue with alignment of the motherboard holes - that part is fine. The problem is that the back of the motherboard has a protruding screw that doesn't allow the backplate to sit flush. Is anyone using this board with a heatsink backplate?

 

[bankster55]

you need a HSF with the skeleton type backplate

 

[Markfw]

megahalem will probably work from what I see.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

That kind of issue has MODDING written all over it. I could see a fellow AT member just grinding a notch in the plate. :biggrin:

 

[nyker96]

from the picture I can see the screw is putting up against your back plate, from the picture, I see it's bending your back plate, I'd say it's probably gonna work since it's just pushing the plate slightly up. but just to be on the safe saide, if you have another cooler, use that instead.

 

[Chymerix]

I just tried a Thermaltake Frio - same issue. This motherboard is proving to be a huge pain when it comes to heatsink compatibility. I'd make a notch for the screw if I had the tools, but I don't, so it's back to Microcenter for me. I may just go with a Hyper 212+ since it seems to have the right kind of bracket. The V6 GT should also fit, but it's $30 more than the 212+. Any recommendations between those two? Will post back with more results.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

In all fairness here, even though it seems 1156 coolers can work, this is a new socket and its going to take a while for companies to make coolers without issues.

 

[VirtualLarry]

In all fairness here, even though it seems 1156 coolers can work, this is a new socket and its going to take a while for companies to make coolers without issues.

But it's the same hole spacing and clearance, there's no new cooler R&D to do here.

Asus screwed up their mobo layout, plain and simple.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

But it's the same hole spacing and clearance, there's no new cooler R&D to do here.

Asus screwed up their mobo layout, plain and simple.

While it might not be the best layout they have done, I don't feel its up to the motherboard companies to make their boards designed for after market cooling. Its up to the cooling companies to make the coolers work. With that said its quite possible a new plate gets made to deal with an issue like this, instead of a whole new cooler.

 

[notty22]

I've seen a few posts now with Asus p67 boards having problems with existing coolers. A fellow found a back plate conflicting with solder points.
Hocp noted this in the review of a Asus board also. http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/01/05/asus_p8p67_ws_revolution_motherboard_review/1

The CPU socket area appears to be clean at first, but the LGA1156 back plate I tried to use to mount a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme didn’t fit flush enough to use. For some reason they soldered some components on the underside of the socket and as a result the plate wouldn’t fit flush without me getting out my Dremel. I decided against that and used a workaround consisting of washers, nuts bolts and rubber washers for insulation and protecting the PCB. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen something so short sighted on a motherboard in regard to design

 

[shabby]

A little dremel action to the backplate will solve this.

 

[BBMW]

Uh, guys, why are you going with big money heatsinks with the SB processors. Given the the thermal performance of SB, they're just not necessary. If you have it already, okay. But I wouldn't buy anything pricier than a CM 212.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Uh, guys, why are you going with big money heatsinks with the SB processors.

Because we can! Muahahah!

 

[Dice144]

Anyone try HUGE heatsink fanless?

 

[aigomorla]

You know what lemme see if i can get someone from ASUS to come in and speak up.

 

[Dadofamunky]

Yah, I wonder if this is an issue with other Asus P8P67 boards... I don't think I'll bother with a Dremel, I'll just go to Fry's and get a silicon pad if I notice this problem... Can't believe this would be a factor at all.

This is a really good post. Welcome, Chymerix!

 

[corpfan1]

Anyone know about the Noctua NH-D14...as that is what I ordered as it shows as compatible with the Asus P67 Deluxe?

 

[mb103051]

Dude drill a small hole in the back plate for the screw to fit through....id do it ....

 

[Chymerix]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! I'd love to hear from Asus about this issue. I was really looking forward to using that Tuniq Tower, but that much cooling probably won't be needed anyway. I ended up buying the CM 212+ and the backplate just barely fits. It makes contact with that same screw on the back of the motherboard, but just barely. I will post some photos later. This seems like such a huge design flaw with this board. Be very careful when choosing a heatsink for it.

 

[Chymerix]

Dude drill a small hole in the back plate for the screw to fit through....id do it ....

I don't have a drill, and it would have to be a pretty big hole close to the edge of the backplate. I'd rather use an unmodified heatsink anyway. Don't want to risk anything.

 

[PClark99]

5 minutes with a dremel would fix thats been mentioned.

Probably a couple of those little paper washers on each corner screw of the plate would probably provide enough clearance too.

I have my parts here to build and am using a Zalman 9700 cooler. The bracket is a bolt on with no backplate so probably no issues to worry about for me.

 

[tviceman]

Dammit I just ordered this motherboard yesterday. I hope I do not have the same issue.

 

[bankster55]

hmmm.....
using a skeleton backplate with the 4 arms that stick out clears the HS screwhead, but that steel plate bolted to the mobo with 3 screws raises up the bp to where the posts dont go thru the holes, or if you have the type that just has the embedded nuts, you will need longer mounting screws
Not only that the 2 screws for the mobo plate closest to top of mobo will be under two of the arms

I found a mount kit that will solve the CPU plate screwhead prob, and it has no posts, and clears the HS screwhead, but that one will touch the surface mount soldered components

The three boobytraps -
Mobo HS screwhead
One or all CPU plate screwhead(s)
Surface mount devices

This would be a good product opportunity for someone to manufacture quickly - a backplate kit that avoided the three probs

ASUS - what were you thinking?

Edit:
Those three "screws" holding the plate on are just mashed retention heads like rivets.