New Xigmatek HSF, possibly botched install?

[Foxery]

I picked up Xigmatek's S1283 (120mm) model for my new quad core rig, and I'm having some trouble.

First off, a disclaimer about the product: The instructions are complete garbage, and mounting this was an absolute nightmare. (I did not buy the bolt-through package.) The fan is attached after you mount the heatsink, and it took me 4 tries to do this without accidentally yanking it all off the motherboard. :|

Anyway, my trouble now is that I think the fan is blowing in the wrong direction, and it *cannot* be changed. It's attached to the HS with these strange little rubber "screws" that do not come out once they're on, and there are no extras in the box.

I have a 45nm Q9300 on an ABit IP35-Pro, in an Antec Solo case. The Xigmatek is a *very* tight fit, but it's not quite touching anything. A few pictures of what my setup looks like:
Size, compared to Intel stock HSFs
Antec Solo
Closer view
At an angle

It feels like the CPU fan is now blowing towards the front of the case, rather than venting towards the rear. My PSU's fan is also going nuts - my system has gone from inaudible to vacuum cleaner mode, and the heatsinks on my northbridge are burning up. Turning off my rear case fan helped a little bit - now they aren't fighting each other - but this isn't a permanent solution.

My CPU temps are quite nice, but at what cost? Do I need to send this thing back?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

before sending it back, i would try installing it properly.

 

[Foxery]

I should add that I matched the illustration of how to attach the fan, as the written directions didn't say which way to turn it. There's a "Xigmatek" brand sticker which faces out, and one with the fan's tech specs which faces in. This seemed pretty reasonable.

Note the part about it being impossible to change...

 

[Tullphan]

The SD1283 is a little tricky to install, but once one gets the hang of it, it's quite easy. I've installed & re-installed mine several times.
Take a good look at the fan...I can't recall since it's been a while since I last installed mine...are the wires on the fan facing the heatsink? I can't remember on mine, but most fans have arrows that show flow & direction. Check yours. You might wish to get some lubricant to put on those rubber "screws" to aid in removing them. If you can't get them off, contact Xigmatek's tech support...they're very good about replying...heck, they may even send you 4 more for free.
Also, did you install the heatsink & fan on the motherboard before putting it in the case?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

the rubber mounts can be removed from the tower with needle-nose pliers. be gentle. i don't bother trying to remove the fan with the mounts on the heatsink. removal of the motherboard always makes heatsink installation easier.

 

[bdubyah]

yeah, just installed this HSF on mine a few days ago. fan has clear arrows pointing out the flow direction, so that's your bad there. and as the above guy said, if you get some pliers or maybe a good pair of tweezers, you can get the rubber mounts back off.

while we're on this HSF, can someone explain to me the point of the "spoiler" that comes with it? i left it off as i had no room to attach the HSF with it already on, and no room to slide it in after i installed the HSF. wtf does it do?

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: bdubyah
yeah, just installed this HSF on mine a few days ago. fan has clear arrows pointing out the flow direction, so that's your bad there. and as the above guy said, if you get some pliers or maybe a good pair of tweezers, you can get the rubber mounts back off.

while we're on this HSF, can someone explain to me the point of the "spoiler" that comes with it? i left it off as i had no room to attach the HSF with it already on, and no room to slide it in after i installed the HSF. wtf does it do?

supposed to be for PWM/mosfet cooling.

 

[Foxery]

Originally posted by: bdubyah
yeah, just installed this HSF on mine a few days ago. fan has clear arrows pointing out the flow direction, so that's your bad there. and as the above guy said, if you get some pliers or maybe a good pair of tweezers, you can get the rubber mounts back off.

I'll give it a shot. Mine, however, does not appear to have arrows anywhere on it.

I just went back to Xigmatek's web site, since it's full of animations and pictures of the product. Two different pages show the fan oriented in opposite directions. Grrr.

Since leaving the side off my case has brought my fan noise and temperatures way down, I'm all the more convinced that mine's on backwards. CPU temps are down another 6C, so maybe I'll even get a higher overclock in the end

Thanks, guys.

 

[Zapper48]

I just bought the OCZ Vendetta 2 which is the same design as the Xigmatek.Iv'e seen ppl recommend attaching the HS then the fan,seems it might be a little easier.I got tired of wrestling with the push-pins so I ordered a bolt-thru kit.As far as the fan being the wrong way I would try needl-nose pliers too and see if you can work the plugs back out.

 

[Foxery]

Ok, I pulled it all apart and gave the fan power while just sitting in my hand; it IS blowing the right direction. (Pushes cool air through the HS, towards the rear of the case.) So at least the HSF is installed "correctly" and I don't have to mess with the mounting screws!

I pulled the metal placeholders out of my extra 5.25"/CD bays and moved around some cables to increase airflow. At the moment, I'm running with the rear case fan turned up and the CPU fan not in at all. Temps are too high, but it runs, for testing purposes. The PSU fan is *not* in Hoover mode, which is encouraging.

I'll put the CPU fan back on next, and try with/without the case fan.

 

[Quiksilver]

Well, I'm looking at your rats nest of cables and wondering if it is impeding any intake airflow... Get some zip ties and start cleaning that stuff up and tucking them out of the way completely, temps should drop some more with less blockage for cool air.

 

[Foxery]

I did, as best I could. My temperatures are even better now, but the PSU still sounds pretty pissed when I put the side of the case on. My best guess is that too much of the CPU heat is blowing on it, since there's barely an inch between the giant HS and the bottom of the PSU. The rest of the system's temps are just fine... don't think there's much more I can do for it, short of buying a different case.

3.4ghz is nice, but I was so hoping to keep my living room quiet. :brokenheart:

 

[Rubycon]

The easiest way to tell which direction a fan is blowing air is by looking at the fan. If you can see the label in the middle (not moving) it's going to blow TOWARD you. If you see the moving hub (where the blades are attached) it's going to blow AWAY from you. So with the mounting arrangement pictured if the middle of the fan is the label (not moving) it's on incorrect and drawing air through the heatsink against the rear fan and probably against the airflow in your box. Flip the fan around and it will be better.

 

[Idex]

Thanks for the pics. I was wondering if the HS would fit in a SOLO.