Help! Can't Install LGA 2011 Heatsink

[Lyuokdea]

Processor: Xeon E5-2670v2
Mobo: Asus Z9 PE-D8 WS
Heatsink: Noctua NH-U12S

The processor seems to be installed correctly - plastic cap removed, processor layed in fitting triangle to triangle. I've taken off the processor and checked that all the pins align. The processor lays down easily and the motherboard locks it back in with moderate (but normal) force on the locking mechanism.

I install the LGA 2011 adapters to the motherboard, doesn't seem to be a problem. The double screws go into the four outer screw holes on the motherboard, with the longer, thinner screws pointing up. The brackets go on top of those (I've tried both vertical and horizontal orientations) the thumb screws screw in the bracket. Everything looks like the diagram.

BUT, then I can't get the heat-sink to screw into the center screws on the bracket - they seem to float about a 10th of a mm above the screws that they are supposed to link into. By tilting the heatsink slightly I can get one screw in, but then getting the other screw in is completely impossible (even with much more muscle than I'd like to put into a $2k motherboard/CPU combo.) I've tried to reset everything with no real luck. Any ideas? Am I doing something dumb - are these parts not compatible for some reason? Are Xeon v2's thicker than old chips?

Ahhh!

 

[Virgorising]

Obviously, many people here build their own rigs with spectacular success (knocks me OUT, it does), but the above is exactly why I do not go there, but rather choose to honor the for me, proven, and to me, impressive engineering of Dell pundits who design their Optiplex business line.

If I went there, I would have been in a padded room (hopefully with broadband) a long time ago. A tenth of a mm disparity....would make me so crazy my whole head would explode.

This sounds like those genius guys who rebuild classic cars wherein they have to cut/weld steel and drill new holes on motor mounts, etc.....for, say, a new, mega horse power motor. Very amazing stuff, tho still not as daunting as working with miniscule electronics wherein you can't safely get creative with the main elements.

 

[Lyuokdea]

Yeah - I've never had a problem like this before...usually everything works perfectly.

I've retried the fit with the other CPU cooler (since I have a dual CPU system, and thus had two coolers on hand -- same problem). It's almost like the new Xeon chips are thicker and keeping the cooler off of the screws -- but according to everything online this isn't the case.

Hmmm - waiting for Noctua to get back to me. Here's hoping it's something silly (but no so silly that I broke something).

 

[Virgorising]

Yeah - I've never had a problem like this before...usually everything works perfectly.

I've retried the fit with the other CPU cooler (since I have a dual CPU system, and thus had two coolers on hand -- same problem). It's almost like the new Xeon chips are thicker and keeping the cooler off of the screws -- but according to everything online this isn't the case.

Hmmm - waiting for Noctua to get back to me. Here's hoping it's something silly (but no so silly that I broke something).

Amazed and happy to know before now, eveything has gone flawlessly in yr builds! am sure I will never personally know anyone who has a dual CPU system!!!!!

I am getting the chip is properly seated in the socket and that is no way the issue.

So bottom line: this posed to be a humbling learning experience. Don U hate it when people say that? Tho most often, it's true.

I luv U din try to force anything!!!! Not good to use drills or lug wrenches inside computers.:whiste: No matter how much we sometimes wanna.()

 

[MTDEW]

Be sure the backplate is on the correct way with the cutouts oriented correctly.
See HERE at 11:15 in that video.

When actually mounting the HS, I usually tilt to one side and screw that screw just enough that it catches 1 or 2 threads so it doesn't come out.
Then the other side is a matter of using enough force to compress the retention spring to get that screw started.
Then of course screw down evenly alternating from side to side to mount as evenly as possible.

 

[paul878]

It helps a lot if you can post some detail photo.

 

[Virgorising]

What MTDEW posted is crucial re finessing all the screws and first only engaging a couple of threads on each, then more on each, etc.

This is the strategy in all construction, not just computer parts. It's kinda kinesthetic.

 

[Lyuokdea]

It helps a lot if you can post some detail photo.

Hi all

Thanks for your help, here are some photos with detail:

http://imgur.com/sGdx1mf,CbL6iao#1
http://imgur.com/sGdx1mf,CbL6iao#0

The top shows the setup without the heatsink being placed on top, and the bottom shows the heatsink lying over the mounting bar.

I've noticed one thing that is odd - isn't the spring on the heatsink supposed to compress when I screw it into the mounting bar? I have taken off the mounting bar and confirmed that the heatsink screws into it (when it is no on the board) -- it does, but the spring never compresses - eventually the screw goes all the way into the mounting bar and stops - but at that point you can still rotate the spring easily around the mounting bar. Is this normal?

 

[Virgorising]

Hi all

Thanks for your help, here are some photos with detail:

http://imgur.com/sGdx1mf,CbL6iao#1
http://imgur.com/sGdx1mf,CbL6iao#0

The top shows the setup without the heatsink being placed on top, and the bottom shows the heatsink lying over the mounting bar.

I've noticed one thing that is odd - isn't the spring on the heatsink supposed to compress when I screw it into the mounting bar? I have taken off the mounting bar and confirmed that the heatsink screws into it (when it is no on the board) -- it does, but the spring never compresses - eventually the screw goes all the way into the mounting bar and stops - but at that point you can still rotate the spring easily around the mounting bar. Is this normal?

I feel bad nobody has responded to the spring issue. I did not cause I never dealt with it, but OBVIOUSLY the springs are there to be compressed during installation and so, secure the heatsink properly via the engineered tension they are there to provide.

Wish I could help more in this hugely frustrating thing one would assume would be as simple as it has always been in yr builds.

 

[MTDEW]

Hi all

Thanks for your help, here are some photos with detail:

http://imgur.com/sGdx1mf,CbL6iao#1
http://imgur.com/sGdx1mf,CbL6iao#0

The top shows the setup without the heatsink being placed on top, and the bottom shows the heatsink lying over the mounting bar.

I've noticed one thing that is odd - isn't the spring on the heatsink supposed to compress when I screw it into the mounting bar? I have taken off the mounting bar and confirmed that the heatsink screws into it (when it is no on the board) -- it does, but the spring never compresses - eventually the screw goes all the way into the mounting bar and stops - but at that point you can still rotate the spring easily around the mounting bar. Is this normal?

EDIT 2: (again! LOL)
Sorry, had a brain fart and had to look at the installation manual for LGA2011 again, and i stand by my original reply....
Your 2nd pic looks great, screw that sucker down! :biggrin:
Here is a LINK with pics so you can compare.

Also....The reason the spring doesn't compress when you try without it actually being mounted is because there is no tension on the HS like there is when its actually being mounted.

 

[denis280]

Sorry, had a brain fart

Good one

 

[johny12]

Noctua NH-U12S - slim profile provides full access to the memory on motherboards with all modern processor sockets and guarantees total compatibility with optional memory fans. D best one