A7N8X-E Deluxe + Zalmann CNPS7000B-AlCu Cooler

[Richard Harrison]

I don't want to order this and then find it doesn't fit...

Has anyone successfully installed one of these on an A7N8X-E mobo? Does it
extend beyond the top edge of the board?

One of the more practical problems with this board is just how close the CPU
socket (at the top) and the SATA sockets (at the bottom) to the edge. I've
got the board in a Nexus 'Breeze' silent case (nice'n quiet), but it's a
tight fit - just a couple of mm between the top of the board and the PSU,
and between the bottom of the board and the case. So tight, in fact,
that I can't use the WiFi card slot at the bottom - it actually touches the
case; and I have to remove the bottom-mounted 120mm case fan to plug/unplug
the SATA cables !

All experience/advice gratefully received...

Richard

 

[Paul]

I don't want to order this and then find it doesn't fit...

Has anyone successfully installed one of these on an A7N8X-E mobo? Does it
extend beyond the top edge of the board?

One of the more practical problems with this board is just how close the CPU
socket (at the top) and the SATA sockets (at the bottom) to the edge. I've
got the board in a Nexus 'Breeze' silent case (nice'n quiet), but it's a
tight fit - just a couple of mm between the top of the board and the PSU,
and between the bottom of the board and the case. So tight, in fact,
that I can't use the WiFi card slot at the bottom - it actually touches the
case; and I have to remove the bottom-mounted 120mm case fan to plug/unplug
the SATA cables !

All experience/advice gratefully received...

Richard

You can do the check for yourself. Get a copy of the downloadable Asus
motherboard manual. Find the color picture of the motherboard.
Take the picture into Photoshop or some other kind of image
editor. The Zalman needs a clearance radius of 55mm, and you can
use the holes on the motherboard socket as a ruler. If memory serves,
the rows of holes in the socket are 0.050" apart, two rows is a tenth
of an inch, and you need 21.6 of those two row groups, from the center
of the socket to the PSU. I'm left with about three 0.1" units of
clearance needed or 7.5mm. If your clearance is only 2mm, then a 5.5mm
depth of fins is going to get bent, or would have to be cut off.

Athlon datasheet - socket dimensions on PDF page 60. 1.27BSC is 0.050"
http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/26237.PDF

The issue is also depicted here, but for some socket 478 boards:
http://www.zalman.co.kr/product/cooler/7000(AB)_478MBlist_eng.htm

HTH,
Paul