Trimming XP-120 Fins

[hoplow]

I am mid-way through building a new system and I have a problem fitting a Thermalright XP-120 heat sink on an ASUS A8N-SLI Premium motherboard when using Corsair TWINX2048-3200C2PRO RAM. The only way the heat sink might fit is to have the fins over the RAM and the heat-pipes facing the back of the case. Unfortunately, there is not enough room under the fins for the RAM due to the activity LED?s on top of the chips.

I was thinking about cutting off the bottom of the first 4 fins to get adequate clearance for the ram. It looks like I could cut it off just below the holes where the bottom two heat-pipes protrude. Does this sound like a viable solution?

Thanks,
hoplow

 

[runestone]

I don't think it would hurt the heatsink to trim it a bit.
I had to install my Crucial ballistix ram first before the xp120-there just was not enough room in that first slot to install the ram because of interference with the heatsink.

 

[Inappropriate4AT]

Ditch the ram...
No point in hacking up a fine piece of worksmanship like the XP-120 for some useless LED ornamented ram.

 

[hoplow]

Thanks guys. Since I can't return it, I might as well cut it up. Sorry Inappropriate4AT, but the $200 price difference dictates the XP-120 goes first here...

hoplow

 

[asicman]

Why can't you return the XP-120?? Did you order from Monarch or something?

Seriously, though, the XP-90 is just as good for all intents and purposes, and would give you more clearance.

 

[hoplow]

I ordered it from Newegg. Policy says "This item may only be returned for a replacement of the same make/model." Which doesnt really help me. I feel kind of stupid for buying it, but I read many comments by people that successfully installed the xp-120 on the ASUS A8N-SLI Premium board, but I did not know the RAM was THAT MUCH taller than normal.

hoplow

 

[Tiamat]

personally, i would either sell the ram, or sell the XP120 and get either normal ram or XP90

 

[Lithan]

Remove the rams spreaders or else sell it. Whoever's idea it was to attach LED's to ram should be beaten to death.

 

[asicman]

Originally posted by: hoplow
I ordered it from Newegg. Policy says "This item may only be returned for a replacement of the same make/model." Which doesnt really help me. I feel kind of stupid for buying it, but I read many comments by people that successfully installed the xp-120 on the ASUS A8N-SLI Premium board, but I did not know the RAM was THAT MUCH taller than normal.

hoplow

Call 'em. They're damn good about exchanging unused items. I'll bet if you explained the situation, they'd accomodate you.

 

[hoplow]

Thank you all! I decided to go ahead and cut the fins. I actually had to cut the bottom off of five fins, but it still looks very nice. I just hope it still performs like it should (I doubt 2mm of the bottom of five fins will make any detectable difference). If it doesn't work well, I guess I will just scrap it and buy a xp-90. asicman: Sorry I had already cut them before you posted, but that is a good thing to know, thanks!

On a side note, although I see many people don't like them, the LED's are positioned between fins so you can still see them, or their reflection from an angle.

hoplow

 

[AquaLeviathan]

It should be fine.
On the other hand, if there's some reason you don't want it, don't scrap it. I'll be glad to take it!