Problems with Scythe Ninja Plus, CPU not making contact?

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Derelict65

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Apr 19, 2006
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Hello everyone.

I recently built a new PC using an Asus A8R32 MVP Deluxe and an Opteron 165 cooled by a Scythe Ninja Plus. I removed the old AMD heatsink retention system and installed the one included with the Ninja. After building the rest of the system everything ran fine for roughly two days.

At that point my system appeared to crash and would not restart. I tried rebuilding and swapping out everything except the CPU (I even changed motherboards), but still was not able to boot up until I laid the system on its side, at which point it posted just fine. After some trial and error work I discovered that if some pressure was applied to the Ninja heatsink the system would boot no problem and run for hours, but if that pressure is removed the system crashes instantly....it seems to me that the CPU is not making proper contact with the motherboard and I believe that the Ninja retention system is the culprit.

Any other Ninja users out there getting this or am I just way off base and there is something else wrong with my system?
 
I dont know for your mobo, but..

for mine, if I wanted to use my stock retention plate I had to use longer screws than what was inlcuded in the mounting hardware..

It works ok if you use the stock, but I hope you didnt install the metal side against the mobo, as this could be causing a short..

PS: Your PC shouldnt imediately shut off/crash even if you have bad contact... Did you check the temps of the heatsink with your finger or CPU in windows?
 
Hi NeoDark,

I have the Scythe metal bracket attached on the bottom side of the mobo, but I am using the sticky foam that came with it in between the bracket and the mobo, so there is no contact between the two.

As for temperatures and crashing, I ran Oblivion for roughly 4 hours last night by jerry rigging a weight on to the heatsink to apply some pressure. I had Asus Probe running and the temp never went above 50C and the game ran solid. After quiting the game and sitting in windows for a bit I removed the weight to see what would happen and the system shutdown almost instantly.

But your mention of screws does bring something to mind, the stock screws may have been used with the Scythe bracket, could that be the reason?
 
the stock screws work fine with the included bracket. It's only when you use your mobo's stock backplate that you need longer screws, but I recomend using the stock mobo bracket. (I wouldnt use the sticky foam, its a mess to remove) but you already applied it, I assume.

Why don't you just re-mount.

Also, the "almost instant" shutdown, is definitelly weird. Pull out everything out of your case and reassamble on a bench. (to rule out shorts)
 
I did just that last night, rebuilt everything from the ground up. I removed the Scythe backplate (wich was a huge pain in the ass) and used the stock backplate along with the Scythe bracket and Scythe screws. I eyed up how high the Sycthe bracket was sitting by measuring against a capacitor next to it and with the stock backplate versus the Scythe backplate the bracket sits a few mm lower down. Seems not to be my imagination either, the PC ran all last night standing up with no problems.

As for a short, maybe that was there (since the Scythe backplate does cover more surface area on the back of the mobo)....but rebuilding everything and changing the bracket worked.

Thanks for the advice Neo.
 
I actually thought more on your short idea and I think it may be the cause, the pressure I was applying was likely forcing the Scythe backplate away from the mobo and making the short connection disappear....as opposed to allowing the CPU to make better contact.

Wanted to add that in case anyone else finds this issue with a Ninja/A8R32 MVP Deluxe combo.
 
Derelict65 - Old thread; I have a Ninja Scythe and an Opteron 165, and I'm planning on getting the A8R32 MVP Deluxe tomorrow...

Has everything been running fine for you?

I was contemplating buying a Zalman CNPS7700, since that blows down towards the motherboard, cooling the whole surrounding area - because a fan mounted on the Ninja would blow towards the left of the board. Do the mosfets run hot on this board? Because I know they ran pretty hot on my DFI Ultra-D.

I'm glad you got that Ninja backplate off without damaging your motherboard - I was not so lucky getting it off my DFI - Rest in Peace...
 
On the Lam said:
Derelict65 - Old thread; I have a Ninja Scythe and an Opteron 165, and I'm planning on getting the A8R32 MVP Deluxe tomorrow...

Has everything been running fine for you?

I was contemplating buying a Zalman CNPS7700, since that blows down towards the motherboard, cooling the whole surrounding area - because a fan mounted on the Ninja would blow towards the left of the board. Do the mosfets run hot on this board? Because I know they ran pretty hot on my DFI Ultra-D.

I'm glad you got that Ninja backplate off without damaging your motherboard - I was not so lucky getting it off my DFI - Rest in Peace...
Click to expand...
The Ninja is a far better cooler than the CNPS7700. If you want something to cool the mobo components as well, get a Thermalright SI-128 with a good 120mm fan.
 
Hello,

My system has been running perfectly stable since I made the change to the motherboard's default bracket. Temperature wise I have not had a single issue, but I will say that I have not paid particular attention to the mosfet's, not sure how hot they run. I built a second system with that was identical outside of the soundcard and hardrives for a friend and he has had no problems either. The Ninja and MVP Deluxe make a great combo, mind you the Thermalright may be good too, but I have no experience with it.

Haha, on a side note you are not the only one who had problems getting the Ninja bracket off of a motherboard, I trashed the first MVP Deluxe I had with a screwdriver :(. Luckily the place I buy my components was nice enough to replace it and not ask any questions :)
 
Thanks Derelict65.

I just bought the mobo today. I used the default backplate, the Ninja retention bracket, and the Ninja screws. I did a dry run (mounting the Ninja without the CPU in) Fits perfectly, and there is quite a lot of room, I'm surprised. The Ninja had a slightly tighter fit on the DFI, partially blocking the closest RAM slot.

I'm looking forward to putting this together...gotta do some errands first...
 
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