P4C800-E and tight cpu heatsink

[Colin D]

I have just bought an Asus P4C800-E motherboard and an Intel Northwood
3.0 GHz cpu with its heat sink (retail package). On fitting the cpu to
the motherboard, the chip dropped in perfectly to its ZIF socket, and
the lever closed properly.

However, when I came to fit the heatsink and fan unit, the corner clips
snapped into the mating slots in the plastic mounting screwed to the
m'board satisfactorily, but when I closed the cam levers to tighten the
HS against the chip, I was concerned at the apparently excessive
pressure applied to the assembly, enough to physically flex the m'board
and cause the plastic strengthening pad under the board to bulge. The
m'board is not as yet mounted into the case, so I am able to see the
extent of the bend in the board.

As far as I can see, the HS fitting is more or less idiot-proof, but
maybe I am missing something here. Can anyone confirm that that much
pressure is normal and ok, or not? I have relaxed the pressure till I
find out a bit more.

Thanks for any insight,

Colin.

 

[Nat Sass]

I have actually seen pictures of this, and it was said to be quite normal. I am sorry
that I cant provide you with a url, but you may want to dig around the asus site. If
you left the grey wax like heat sink compound in, when it heats & melts/spreads out,
it will alleviate the stress.
As a side point, you might want to visit the arcticsilver site
(http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm) to review proper application of a heat
sink thermal compound.
Natt

 

[dh]

It's normal, scary huh....

 

[Colin D]

It's normal, scary huh....

OK, thanks for that, guys. Scary is the word! I could see my $400 (NZ)
board doing a split!

Colin

 

[Bronney Hui]

Colin,

Confirming dh's post. keke. Yes it's normal + scary. Try to apply even
force on both side on the retail sink levers, breathe *judo chop!*. It
should click in place, but yes the board does bulge when you do it, don't
look at it!

Don't ever, ever, press it half way and thought, hmm, maybe I broke it,
let's detach it and take a look!! Don't do that! as I find that'll almost
always screws it up (not like I am rich and tried this more than once), but
by pushing it halfway and lifting it again, you're actually messing up the
thermal tape/wax at the bottom so that next time you try, the surface isn't
even.

So just trust yourself, press it even in 1 shot slowly. I just did a 2.8
northwood btw.

 

[Colin D]

Colin,

Confirming dh's post. keke. Yes it's normal + scary. Try to apply even
force on both side on the retail sink levers, breathe *judo chop!*. It
should click in place, but yes the board does bulge when you do it, don't
look at it!

Don't ever, ever, press it half way and thought, hmm, maybe I broke it,
let's detach it and take a look!! Don't do that! as I find that'll almost
always screws it up (not like I am rich and tried this more than once), but
by pushing it halfway and lifting it again, you're actually messing up the
thermal tape/wax at the bottom so that next time you try, the surface isn't
even.

So just trust yourself, press it even in 1 shot slowly. I just did a 2.8
northwood btw.

Thanks for the reply, Bronney (or is it Hui?) as I see you are in Hong
Kong, by the netvigator ISP there. I have a daughter and her husband
living in Hong Kong for 13 years now, she is an associate prof at the
HKU, and we have visited about four or five times over the years. A
fascinating city for a visitor.

Colin.