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Please help a newb install a CPU HSF

D

DaRuSsIaMaN

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Apr 22, 2007
Messages
1,216
The last time I installed a heat sink was on a socket A Athlon XP system. Lol, it was actually not that long ago--only like a year and a half. Anyway, now I'm actually caught up with current technology, and I got a new heat sink/fan, but it's kind of intimidating... And the Xigmatek instructions leave something to be desired.

I got a dark knight for my 2500k. And I don't really understand this backplate business. First, here is the back of my motherboard tray in my case:



What are the cut-outs for? Will they help me in any way? (My cables are in the way but I could move them) I do still have to take out the motherboard and attach the backplate to it directly, correct?

Secondly, about the backplate itself:





And here is what the manual shows:


So I'm pretty sure I get which way it goes. But what the hell is all the sticky stuff for? When I peel back the paper, there are black, sticky pads underneath. Are all backplates like this or is it only my particular cooler? This seems pretty silly and unreliable to me. I thought you attach the backplate using screws, not sticky stuff. Also, what if I don't align it right when I stick it on?

Also, what am I to do with the other side? The side with all the paper all over it--my second photo--will be facing away from the mobo. Do I need to leave the protective paper on it since I won't be attaching it to the board? That also makes this design seem stupid...

I would appreciate any input. Thanks.
 
"Sticky stuff" is to make sure the backplate sticks to the motherboard. It's also to make sure that the blackplate doesn't damage the motherboard anyway, a sort of cushion, if you will. And if you look, the backplate has holes for the screws to go in.

The "other sticky stuff on the other side" is to make sure that the motherboard doesn't short itself out by insulating the backplate in case the backplate ever touches the mobo tray (due to mobo flex or something).

Yes, you should take out the motherboard to install the backplate.
 
thesecond said:
the sticky stuff is to hold the backplate to the motherboard so you can have a free hand to screw the HSF into the backplate.

If you dont align it, then you'll have to pull it off and try again. You'll do fine, dont worry.

watch this guy do it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN6qOc6hknY&feature=related
Click to expand...

Ah now that's actually reasonable! And thanks a lot for the link; that is really helpful! So I can choose how to align it, huh? I didn't even think of that yet. I'll have to align it differently so it blows out the back, because my power supply sits above the mobo.


Deluded said:
"Sticky stuff" is to make sure the backplate sticks to the motherboard. It's also to make sure that the blackplate doesn't damage the motherboard anyway, a sort of cushion, if you will. And if you look, the backplate has holes for the screws to go in.

The "other sticky stuff on the other side" is to make sure that the motherboard doesn't short itself out by insulating the backplate in case the backplate ever touches the mobo tray (due to mobo flex or something).
Click to expand...

Interesting! Thanks. So there is no point taking the paper off on the back side, right?
 
Oh btw, forgot to update this thread earlier, but I did it. Thanks for the help. It is kind of weird, though, that I had to install the backplate slightly twisted in order to get the holes lined up. In other words, its frame is not quite aligned the same way as the metal thing on the back of the motherboard, as can be seen in the photo below (I took pictures as I went along)--the backplate is slightly twisted clockwise relative to the metal thing on the motherboard.

 
That's fine... it's normal. You see the three holes in the bracket? They're for 775, 1156 and 1366 mounting, so if you want to use it on any of those socket system, you have to twist it slightly.

I think all universal brackets are like that.
 
DaRuSsIaMaN said:
Ah now that's actually reasonable! And thanks a lot for the link; that is really helpful! So I can choose how to align it, huh? I didn't even think of that yet. I'll have to align it differently so it blows out the back, because my power supply sits above the mobo.




Interesting! Thanks. So there is no point taking the paper off on the back side, right?
Click to expand...

Actually I think the back tape is just to protect it from scratches, I am not sure how much "insulation" that 3m paper does. I usually put a foam pad sticky on the back of my backplates to keep them from touching the case.
 
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