Quick question about hs & f's (SLK-900 in particular)

[DOSfan]

I just recieved my new SLK-900A heatsink, along with a good 92mm fan.

Now my question is: "Are the fan clips supposed to be that loose?"

It seems to me, since the desktop case design is all but dead, that the fan clips should be a bit more, um, snug since the heatsink will almost always be vertical.

Are they realy supposed to be that loose? And if so, any suggestions on how to snug it up for my own piece of mind?

(BTW, have any of you held one of those SLK-900's before? GD they are heavy! )

 

[Corporate Thug]

i dont know how loose yours is. i have a slk800 and the tug on the fan and it doesnt move. do u have the clips in the right spot?

 

[beatle]

Indeed, they are very tight on my SK7. I can barely get a grill on the fan.

 

[blade]

Look at this picture and be sure you have the clips in the correct holes. The fan should be a firm fit.

If necessary, you can bend a clip to help if trying others holes doesn't help.

 

[DOSfan]

Okay.... Thanks for the assurance. It is a 92x25mm fan, and when I had the clips in the 25mm holes, they fan did not seem to fit at all.

I was reluctant to force it. The clips do not feel all that sturdy. (I am used to man-handling 150 lbs parts at work, so I am extra careful when I am dealing with "dinky" things. )

While I have your attention; I have never changed heatsinks before. How do you remove the old one? Just twist? (Again, I am reluctant to put too much pressure on the thing.)

And what do you use to remove the old thermal grease/tape, if any?

 

[blade]

It's best to try messing with the fans with the heatsink not on the mobo. Moving the sink around so much could lead to a cracked core. I'd get familiar with attaching fans first, then install.

To remove it just use a flathead screwdriver (try several and choose the best fitting one, one that won't slip out of the slot) and press the clip down, then out and away from the mobo tabs. It will take some pressure. Once the clip is off the mobo tabs, then gently raise the heatsink, and away from the rear tabs. You might place a credit card under the clip just in case the screwdriver does slip.

And of course when you install it, be sure the heatsink is pushed mainly towards the rear, see here. *the 2nd set of pics.


Use isopropyl alcohol (normal rubbing alcohol) with a soft cloth to remove the old thermal grease. Wait till dry, then reapply using these instructions.

 

[DOSfan]

Thanks blade.

That confirms that it is not as "quick and easy" as I had planned on it being.

I think I will wait to change heatsinks for a couple of weeks, when I get my new mobo. Since I will be transfering the CPU anyway, I will change the heatsink then.

 

[blade]

You're welcome.


But, it really isn't that difficult or time consuming. Once you are familiar with it you can change heatsinks in about 5 minutes. Just needs to be done right to avoid problems. I have a particular screwdriver I use that fits those slots perfectly. Clean the sink and cpu, apply a thin-even layer of thermal compound, then attach the sink and fan. Bingo, tis done. That's the quick version.

 

[DOSfan]

Hah!

You make it sound soooo simple.

(I know it is, it would just require a bit more preperation than I had planned for this weekend.)