Should the CPU fan be loose

[shiatan]

Hello, I have hooked up the Zalman CNPS9500 AT to the ASUS P5N32-SLI SE motherboard. Tighted the clip support to the back plate. Then tightened the clip all the way down to the clip support. If I grab the fan and twist it will move. It isn't loose, as in it will not shift on it's own but I thought they where suppose to be tight.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Not sure exactly about the Zalman cooler, but with most coolers, you should be able to slightly twist them (no more than a few degrees) when installed correctly.

Are you getting good surface contact with the CPU?

 

[orion23]

It's supposed to move a little, sideways, not up or down!

 

[shiatan]

I am getting good contact as far as I can tell.

Does only move sideways.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Skott]

Yeah, its normal for the 9500. Dont sweat it as long as you got a good contact.

 

[Zepper]

Some CPU fans are rubber mounted so the fan can move some independently of the heatsink.

.bh.

 

[Howard]

Are you talking about the fan or the heatsink?

 

[Baked]

Maybe it's ok for Zalman heatsinks to move around, but the Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7 and Thermalright Ultra-120 I've installed in my system don't move around. If they move around, I'd be worry.

Originally posted by: Howard
Are you talking about the fan or the heatsink?

Pretty sure he's talking about the whole thing.

 

[de8212]

The entire assembly moves if you twist it but not on it's own, right?
Mine does the same thing. Worried me at first but it's been running fine for several months.

 

[shiatan]

The whole thing moves a little if I twist it.
But it does not move on it's own.

Thanks for the help everyone. I think if the CPU temps are good and consistant then everything is good.