Rentention Kit on Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6

[Armada]

When I first tried to install the Mugen CPU Cooler I just couldn't get the pins in. And the push-pins suck imo, so I went to look for alternative methods. So I saw the Scythe Rentention Kit which was just what I'm looking for.

There is a very detailed picture of my motherboard here.

My problems are:

1. I didn't use the backplate because I already have a heat spreader, could this form a problem?

2. As recommended I didn't use the spacer. But now the installation went so easy, that I'm afraid there maybe too little pressure.

Thank you in advance.

[Oli]

Originally Posted by Armada

1. I didn't use the backplate because I already have a heat spreader, could this form a problem?

2. As recommended I didn't use the spacer. But now the installation went so easy, that I'm afraid there maybe too little pressure.

How did you install the Retention Kit without a counterpart for the screws? *suprised*

Anyway: if your temps are ok even under full load then pressure is sufficent.


Bye Oliver

[Armada]

Okay, I'll try it out.

Originally Posted by obreitfelder

How did you install the Retention Kit without a counterpart for the screws? *suprised*

The screws are big enough to fit in the holes.

But another question, the fan of the Mugen is covering precious RAM slots when it's in the optimal setup. Here's a drawing of the situation:



If I rotate it it will be blowing against the PSU.



If I put it on the opposite side it would be sucking air from the side it's blowing out so that would be a bad idea. So would sucking air from the cooling block also work?

[Oli]

Ok, normally in the Scythe backplate there are the screw threads where the screws are put in. Are such screw threads in your heat spreader on the mainboard's backside? You didn't screw them directly into the mainboard's PCB layer or I am just not getting your installation method?


Bye Oliver

[Armada]

Originally Posted by obreitfelder

Ok, normally in the Scythe backplate there are the screw threads where the screws are put in. Are such screw threads in your heat spreader on the mainboard's backside? You didn't screw them directly into the mainboard's PCB layer or I am just not getting your installation method?


Bye Oliver

It's in the motherboard's PCB, I've been very careful screwing it in.

[Oli]

Oh my god. I cannot advise doing something like that! Please keep in mind that the Mugen is extremely heavy and that you can seriously damage your mainboard.


Concerning fan mounting:

my tests showed that only the installation blowing through the cooler towards to rear side fan guarantees best temps. It may be possible that in certain setups a comparable performance can be achieved with the other installation methods but in my case the blowing setup towards PSU and the sucking version do perform much worse than the way it is meant by the manufacturer.

As long as you do not use RAM modules with heatpipe cooling the RAM slots are cleared because the fan is installed high enough on the Mugen.


Bye Oliver

[Armada]

Originally Posted by obreitfelder

Oh my god. I cannot advise doing something like that! Please keep in mind that the Mugen is extremely heavy and that you can seriously damage your mainboard.

But the Mugen is normally supported by those same holes if I use the push-pins. What's the difference using screws instead of the push-pins? And the screw threads are not in the backplate but in the brackets.

Originally Posted by obreitfelder

Concerning fan mounting:

my tests showed that only the installation blowing through the cooler towards to rear side fan guarantees best temps. It may be possible that in certain setups a comparable performance can be achieved with the other installation methods but in my case the blowing setup towards PSU and the sucking version do perform much worse than the way it is meant by the manufacturer.

As long as you do not use RAM modules with heatpipe cooling the RAM slots are cleared because the fan is installed high enough on the Mugen.


Bye Oliver

I need those RAM slots for Dual Channel. If I don't use Dual Channel I'll lose 50% RAM bandwidth! I either need to use the two red or two yellow ones.

[Oli]

As I said: height of the bottom edge of installed fan normally clears the RAM slots! Only if you use RAM with high coolers like heat pipe solutions they will collide.

If you want to use your "higher than normal" RAM modules you have some options:
- mount fan on other side (sucking method) an accept worse temps
- change your RAM
- change your cooler
- mount the fan higher! just leave the frist fins of the cooler as they are and install the fan clips in a appropriate height so that the bottom edge of the fan no longer collides with your ram modules - fan performance should still be sufficent!

And no the pushpins method works with a pin that spreads itself on your boards downside this means unterneath the holes not IN the holes. The holes themselves were never designed for something to be screwed into them. The strengths/forces affecting the layer of your mainboard are completely different.

It's your board so it's your risk - so no further comment from me. But there is a reason why Scythe delivers a backplate and why they never even mentioned putting the screws into the PCB layer itself.


Bye Oliver

[Armada]

So in conclusion, money wasted? Then I'll use the stock cooler. Damn, putting together this computer has been nothing but trouble, I've been working on it for 3 months now. Thanks for the help.

[Oli]

Originally Posted by obreitfelder

- mount the fan higher! just leave the frist fins of the cooler as they are and install the fan clips in a appropriate height so that the bottom edge of the fan no longer collides with your ram modules - fan performance should still be sufficent!

Try that! It should work! Now the fan sticks out (regarding its top edge) just about 5-10mm above the Mugen but that should be no problem!

There is still enough cool air and enough air pressure.

Which RAM modules do you use? Are they that high?