Thermalright SI-128 bends ASUS P5N MoBo !? ... Is that normal ?

[fdpod]

Hi,
I really could use some advice.

Putting a Thermalright SI-128 on an ASUS P5N I noticed after clipping the 4 fasteners that hold the metal bracket, that the MoBo is bend out of shape. The fasteners grab, but the board is warped in the area and about 1..2mm out of alignment from before being flat.

I have no excessive amout of thermal paste on it and the CPU is propperly seated in the socket.

Is this behavior of the MoBo bending normal or should the installed setup be that the MoBo is flat as without a cooler installed ?

I'm kind of concerned since the MoBo is a multilayer pcb and if I put that much stress on it right from the start .... !!

Any advice is appreciated. My further assembly is currently on hold because of that.

P.S.: I noticed that whole thing since I installed the cooler while the MoBo was out of the case and not screwed down at all points. If I screw it in the case it's warping the board back in the other direction (which probably wouldn't be that good either .... I assume )

Thanks

 

[MDE]

Does the board or heatsink come with a motherboard backplate?

 

[fdpod]

No backplate !

For the LGA775 install - its just the cooler, the metall bracket and the on each corner of the bracket attached fastener clips that go through the holes in the MoBo.

In most of the reviews or installation tips they install the cooler while the MoBo is already screwed into the case. That way of course nobody will notice the bend of the MoBo. ....
But it's a pain in the b*** to install the cooler that way.

I thought about trying to bend the metal bracket very slightly but it's brand new and I should not have to be doing something like that ...

I'd send it back if I were sure the next one would be a better fit. ....
But you all know how that is ....

Anybody with the SI-128 notice this by any chance as well ?

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: fdpod
No backplate !

For the LGA775 install - its just the cooler, the metall bracket and the on each corner of the bracket attached fastener clips that go through the holes in the MoBo.
############################
In most of the reviews or installation tips they install the cooler while the MoBo is already screwed into the case. Did you ever wonder why that is the case...think about it....by installing the heatsink with the mobo already installed in the case you have even more support for the heatsink.......

If I am reading what you are saying correctly you installed the heatsink on the mobo before installing the mobo in the case???
##################################


That way of course nobody will notice the bend of the MoBo. ....
But it's a pain in the b*** to install the cooler that way.

I thought about trying to bend the metal bracket very slightly but it's brand new and I should not have to be doing something like that ...

I'd send it back if I were sure the next one would be a better fit. ....
But you all know how that is ....

Anybody with the SI-128 notice this by any chance as well ?

 

[fdpod]

No offense and don't get me wrong - but if most people seem to be doing it a certain way does not necessarily mean that it's right !

So, even if I have the mobo screwed in place and then install the cooler I still have the mobo deformation. (and it's just as apparent as with the mobo out of the case)

I hope I linked right: Have a look ...
MoBo Bend

Or am I just overly concerned .... ?

Thanks for lookin'
Cheers

 

[Bozo Galora]

thats normal
the Intel factory HSF bends them even worse
I've installed HSF's prob hundreds times (including on-off multiples) - nothing ever seems to get hurt
The prob is with Intel factory HSF, if you do it with mobo mounted - you can never be sure you have split pins expanded fully locked against mobo hole. Its much better when forcing those pins down to be able to support mobo with other hand at exact point of pressure.
With the TR S bracket at least you can see whats going on

In other words, dont worry about it.
Do......not......worry...... about......it.

If you look carefully, even the thermalright pic shows curvature - lol
http://www.thermalright.com/a_page/main_support_installation_si128_k8.htm

 

[fdpod]

All right, in she goes ... ... and stays

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: fdpod
No offense and don't get me wrong - but if most people seem to be doing it a certain way does not necessarily mean that it's right !

So, even if I have the mobo screwed in place and then install the cooler I still have the mobo deformation. (and it's just as apparent as with the mobo out of the case)

I hope I linked right: Have a look ...
MoBo Bend

Or am I just overly concerned .... ?

Thanks for lookin'
Cheers

I have all the top heatsinks.....I collect and make it a habit to use each and every heatsink I have.
Personally I found that I would rather mount a heatsink with the board already mounted in the case......
Then you lay the case down flat and mount the heatsink.
Sure there will be very small amount of what you call apparent mobo deformation....but whats most important is that once you get the heatsink mounted that you are careful before moving your computer. When I take my computer to LAN tourneys I will iwther lay it down flat so the heatsink is not just hanging ther or I will totally remove the ehatsink and reinstall it once I am there.
Once you get use to removing heatsinks reinstallation is easy!!

Good Luck!!