Q. about thermalright SK-7 installation

[konichiwa]

I just recently grabbed an SK-7 and a Arctic Cooling TC-1 (80mm) fan. The SK-7 clipped on fine onto my 8RDA+, but I can't manage to get the fan on right. I've never used anything other than screws to mount fan-->heatsink, so I guess I'm a little confused.

They gave me a bunch (like 6) of these thin metal clip-looking-gizmos to connect the fan to the heatsink. I'm starting to think that the fan I bought may not have mounting holes, etc for this type of bracket? Can anyone who has an SK-7 help me out?

 

[Jman13]

The fan clips come in two sizes (maybe 3...can't remember). The ones for the 80mm fans are the biggest, I believe. Basically, on the side the fan overhangs the HS, you put the clips...no screws at all. The clips fit under the HS in the little holes, then slide up the clips so the little indentations in the wire fit into the fan holes (you have to pull...they'll warp a bit, but that's the point...keeps pressure). Once both clips are on (push on the opposite side when putting the first on), it'll stay seated. It's much better to put the fan on before installing the heatsink, so I'd take the HS off, install the fan, then put the HSF on the mobo again. I have an SK-7 with an 80mm Thermaltake Smartfan, and the clips hold it (and the fan grill) on just fine. If the largest clips are too loose (fan wants to fall off), then go to the next smallest size. I think, though, that the largest are for 80mm fans, the next for 70mm fans, and the last for 60mm fans.

Jman

 

[konichiwa]

Well I figured out the basic installation method, but here's the problem...I put the one clip on the left side of the fan (where the HS "step" is) but then when I go to put the second one on, it is slack and doesn't hold the fan a) level and b) snug on the sink. There are only two sizes of clip (I'm using the larget) and the smaller size isn't even close to the right size (the two "identations" are way too close together, they dont fit the holes on the 80mm fan that I'm using)

 

[ChicagoMaroon]

I had to bend the clips to attach a 80mm x 25mm fan to my SK-7. Works perfectly now, the fan is on nice and tight.

I have a question though, that white 3M pad and the 2 black 3M strips that come in the SK-7 box, what are they used for?

 

[konichiwa]

Apparently they're only for YS-Tech fans. I bent the crap out of one of the clips to make it work

 

[SilkySmooth]

I just got a SK-7 as well and I did not have to bend anything to get my 80mm fan on. I got 2 sets (1 large and 1 small) of 4 fan clip wires. I used 2 of the large ones and slipped the ends through the holes in the SK-7 then pull the top over the fan until the 2 notches in the wire slips into the holes of the fan. Check Thermalright's own diagram and instructions for a step by step guide. http://www.thermalright.com/installation.html

I love this heatsink and it decreased my core temp. by 10C over my old Alpha PAL6035 with a Sunon fan. My only gripe is the *blipping* clip that is impossible to get on or off. Seriously, I can't get the bloody thing off so if you have any tips for removing this thing please let me know.

 

[godmare]

Originally posted by: ChicagoMaroon
I had to bend the clips to attach a 80mm x 25mm fan to my SK-7. Works perfectly now, the fan is on nice and tight.

I have a question though, that white 3M pad and the 2 black 3M strips that come in the SK-7 box, what are they used for?

The 'dots' are for the bottom of the heatsink, against the corners of the cpu, and the 'strips' are to insulate the fan from the heatsink.

 

[Lars]

Would the SK-7 with a 18CFM fan be enough for a T-Bird 1GHz?

 

[godmare]

Originally posted by: Lars
Would the SK-7 with a 18CFM fan be enough for a T-Bird 1GHz?

Yeah, if you've got decent case airflow, you should do fine with that.

 

[Lars]

Originally posted by: godmare

Originally posted by: Lars
Would the SK-7 with a 18CFM fan be enough for a T-Bird 1GHz?

Yeah, if you've got decent case airflow, you should do fine with that.

I was going to change my second (old) system to four 18CFM case fans (2 in, 2 out) and the SK7 with a 18CFM fan in order to make at least one system quite (each fan is like 18db). I was guessing that it should be fine since it will only be used for downloading, burning CDs, watching videos, listening to music, and Web surfing; no gaming at all on that computer.

 

[godmare]

Originally posted by: Lars

Originally posted by: godmare

Originally posted by: Lars
Would the SK-7 with a 18CFM fan be enough for a T-Bird 1GHz?

Yeah, if you've got decent case airflow, you should do fine with that.

I was going to change my second (old) system to four 18CFM case fans (2 in, 2 out) and the SK7 with a 18CFM fan in order to make at least one system quite (each fan is like 18db). I was guessing that it should be fine since it will only be used for downloading, burning CDs, watching videos, listening to music, and Web surfing; no gaming at all on that computer.

Yeah, that will work out great Use good thermal compund, like Arctic Silver, and make sure you understand how to mount a heatsink properly (if you don't already )