LGA 775 HSF - Push pins or screws? Which is better?

[zero2dash]

[I say "system from scratch" because some people prefer push pins because you don't have to remove the mobo to install the HSF. Not a concern of mine - because it's a whole new system anyhow so the mobo will already be removed.]

I'm all up in the air as to what kind of HSF to get for the Q6600/P35-DSR3 build for this fall.
(Minimal overclocking...just adjusting FSB from 1066 to 1333 to bump clock speed to 3gig.)

Originally - I was all over the Tuniq, despite being leery of the weight.
I've flip flopped between it and the AC F7P.

Then I read this article on Hexus, and now I'm interested in the Scythe Mine because it cools almost exactly the same as the Tuniq (temp wise), but it's much lighter. BUT - it uses the push pin method to attach it to the mobo.

Which is better? More reliable? Can the push pins break and/or become dislodged?

I mean, I know with screws, it's pretty much trouble free...once they're in, they're in. But I don't have much faith in these push pins over time. Am I wrong there?

What do you all think?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Pins are a pain to get seated down in the holes correctly. Screws are easy and safe.

 

[eelw]

Pins aren't noob friendly. But once you get the hang of how they work, they work great. No worries about them breaking unless you constantly remove and reinsert it. Unless the HSF is very heavy, pins are perfectly fine to use.

 

[eplebnista]

The ones with screws, like this, are the only ones I use.

 

[gchanjam]

For a system from scratch, either is fine with pins being fine for most HSF's out there. Just remember to read the instructions if you use a HSF with push pins. If adding one to an already built system, screws become a little more of a hassle because they usually require a backplate and the motherboard has to be removed from the case. Both have their good points and both work well.

 

[Ika]

Pushpins are okay, but if you're not careful or don't understand how they work, you could break them. They are pretty fragile and I think I warped a few of mine on my own Mine.

What motherboard are you getting? Make a note that the Scythe Mine will NOT fit on some motherboards correctly (it has problems on my own Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R). If you look at a picture, you'll see that the metal part that clamps the fan extends to the sides of the bottom of the heatsink. Those parts are non-essential to the cooling performance of the heatsink, but can cause problems if there are motherboard components around the CPU socket.

 

[zero2dash]

Originally posted by: Aflac
What motherboard are you getting? Make a note that the Scythe Mine will NOT fit on some motherboards correctly (it has problems on my own Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R).

Thanks a bunch for posting that info; I will be getting the P35-DS3R board as well.

Guess I'll just keep my initial thought and get the Tuniq then. I just don't trust those push pins that are on most of the other coolers...