Mugen & Retention Kit

panosgb · #1 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 02:30 PM

Hello,

I just bought the Universal Retention Kit and I am about to install it on my motherboard (Gigabyte GA-965P-DS4).

Although I have read the instructions I have a question:

I have to apply thermal compound on the CPU heatsink and then place the copper spacer.
After that I have to put the Mugen on top of the spacer.
Do I have to apply thermal compound between the spacer and the Mugen too?

Thanx for the help.

Oli · #2 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 02:40 PM

Yes, if you use the spacer (you should check if pressure is sufficient without it!) you must apply thermal grease on both sides of the copper spacer.

CPU > grease > spacer > grease > Mugen

If you decide not to use the spacer you must also remove the plastic washers which are installed under the rails of the ret kit.

Bye Oli

panosgb · #3 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 02:42 PM

Thank you Oli, will try that now

Panos

panosgb · #4 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 03:32 PM

Ok, here's what I have so far:

(1) With the insulation washers and copper spacer it needs a lot more pressure than I expected (I'm usually kinda delicate so as not to damage anything in the system) but the Mugen "locks" in tightly and is very stable.

(2) Without the insulation washers and without the copper spacer it seems to fit just fine but not as firm as in (1).

(3) With the insulation washers but without the copper spacer fits it ok too and doesn't require as much pressure as (1).

I think I should go with the first setup. Any suggestions?

Thanks again

panosgb · #5 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 03:36 PM

By the way,

I have used the Mugen without the Retention Kit for some time.
I am now happy to report that WITH the Retention Kit there's no more contact between the capacitors around the CPU and the Mugen.

Oli · #6 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 05:13 PM

Well that's exactly what the spacer is meant to do - clear the components around the CPU socket if there'd occur collisions w/o the spacer.

If you feel good with the first setup then you should use it. In all my testing the spacer always had negative influence on the temps and as virtually every manufacturer of P35 chipset mainboards uses quite low/small capacitors around the CPU socket I decided not to use washers and spacer. Pressure is still very good in my case.

Bye Oli

panosgb · #7 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 06:16 PM

You wrote before that I must remove the washers if I don't use the spacer. What if I keep the washers? (but not the spacer)

The Mugen still fits tightly and has direct contact with the CPU's heatsink.
I am only asking because the washers - besides offering extra clearance - look like a good way to protect the mobo from direct contact with the metallic rails.

Thanks again Oli.

Oli · #8 (**permalink**) 07-27-2008, 06:30 PM

I replaced them with washers made of cardboard for isolation purposes - i also wouldn't use the metal rails directly on the board.

In most cases (not in all

) pressure gets much worse when you use washers but not the spacer as they're rather thick. The whole cooler is lifted 1-1,5mm which means no contact or contact with very low pressure in most of the setups.

If it fits and you're satisfied with it everything is alright for your specific setup.

But in general it is like i described it - I would advise no one to use the thick washers w/o the spacer in the first place. Everyone needs to test for themselves.

As every system, board and setup is a little bit different everyone has to choose the installation method that fits best for him and which makes him feel safe and confident about temps, pressure and safety of installation.

For me using the washers but not the spacer would mean that the Mugen virtually hangs above the CPU surface delivering horribly high temps which are not acceptable. I tested many setups and in my case with cardboard washers the capacitors are cleared with 1mm space between Mugen's socket 478 bracket and the caps. Pressure is perfect and temps are also good. But if the capacitors were silghtly higher or just installed slightly higher in the production process it wouldn't fit.

Bye Oli

panosgb · #9 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 05:11 AM

Hey, forgot to post my results

Have installed the Mugen w/ the ret. kit about a week. I got perfect fit, the Mugen is really stable, there's no bending of the mobo and am seeing temperatures around 36 Celsius in idle. Great!!!

hiroshige · #10 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 07:19 AM

Thanks for the Info, good to know!
Stefan

#8 (permalink) 07-27-2008, 06:30 PM
Oli Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, in the middle of Europe Posts: 419	I replaced them with washers made of cardboard for isolation purposes - i also wouldn't use the metal rails directly on the board. In most cases (not in all ) pressure gets much worse when you use washers but not the spacer as they're rather thick. The whole cooler is lifted 1-1,5mm which means no contact or contact with very low pressure in most of the setups. If it fits and you're satisfied with it everything is alright for your specific setup. But in general it is like i described it - I would advise no one to use the thick washers w/o the spacer in the first place. Everyone needs to test for themselves. As every system, board and setup is a little bit different everyone has to choose the installation method that fits best for him and which makes him feel safe and confident about temps, pressure and safety of installation. For me using the washers but not the spacer would mean that the Mugen virtually hangs above the CPU surface delivering horribly high temps which are not acceptable. I tested many setups and in my case with cardboard washers the capacitors are cleared with 1mm space between Mugen's socket 478 bracket and the caps. Pressure is perfect and temps are also good. But if the capacitors were silghtly higher or just installed slightly higher in the production process it wouldn't fit. Bye Oli __________________ C2D E6700@3.33Ghz@1,28V / Mugen, Ret Kit & 2x Slip Stream @ 550rpm / summer: idle 37 - load 70 / winter: idle 33 - load 64
	Last edited by Oli; 07-27-2008 at 06:39 PM.

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#1 (permalink) 07-27-2008, 02:30 PM
panosgb Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 8	Mugen & Retention Kit Hello, I just bought the Universal Retention Kit and I am about to install it on my motherboard (Gigabyte GA-965P-DS4). Although I have read the instructions I have a question: I have to apply thermal compound on the CPU heatsink and then place the copper spacer. After that I have to put the Mugen on top of the spacer. Do I have to apply thermal compound between the spacer and the Mugen too? Thanx for the help.

#2 (permalink) 07-27-2008, 02:40 PM
Oli Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, in the middle of Europe Posts: 419	Yes, if you use the spacer (you should check if pressure is sufficient without it!) you must apply thermal grease on both sides of the copper spacer. CPU > grease > spacer > grease > Mugen If you decide not to use the spacer you must also remove the plastic washers which are installed under the rails of the ret kit. Bye Oli __________________ C2D E6700@3.33Ghz@1,28V / Mugen, Ret Kit & 2x Slip Stream @ 550rpm / summer: idle 37 - load 70 / winter: idle 33 - load 64

#3 (permalink) 07-27-2008, 02:42 PM
panosgb Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 8	Thank you Oli, will try that now Panos

#4 (permalink) 07-27-2008, 03:32 PM
panosgb Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 8	Ok, here's what I have so far: (1) With the insulation washers and copper spacer it needs a lot more pressure than I expected (I'm usually kinda delicate so as not to damage anything in the system) but the Mugen "locks" in tightly and is very stable. (2) Without the insulation washers and without the copper spacer it seems to fit just fine but not as firm as in (1). (3) With the insulation washers but without the copper spacer fits it ok too and doesn't require as much pressure as (1). I think I should go with the first setup. Any suggestions? Thanks again
	Last edited by panosgb; 07-27-2008 at 06:18 PM.

#5 (permalink) 07-27-2008, 03:36 PM
panosgb Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 8	By the way, I have used the Mugen without the Retention Kit for some time. I am now happy to report that WITH the Retention Kit there's no more contact between the capacitors around the CPU and the Mugen.
	Last edited by panosgb; 07-27-2008 at 06:18 PM.

#6 (permalink) 07-27-2008, 05:13 PM
Oli Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, in the middle of Europe Posts: 419	Well that's exactly what the spacer is meant to do - clear the components around the CPU socket if there'd occur collisions w/o the spacer. If you feel good with the first setup then you should use it. In all my testing the spacer always had negative influence on the temps and as virtually every manufacturer of P35 chipset mainboards uses quite low/small capacitors around the CPU socket I decided not to use washers and spacer. Pressure is still very good in my case. Bye Oli __________________ C2D E6700@3.33Ghz@1,28V / Mugen, Ret Kit & 2x Slip Stream @ 550rpm / summer: idle 37 - load 70 / winter: idle 33 - load 64

#7 (permalink) 07-27-2008, 06:16 PM
panosgb Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 8	You wrote before that I must remove the washers if I don't use the spacer. What if I keep the washers? (but not the spacer) The Mugen still fits tightly and has direct contact with the CPU's heatsink. I am only asking because the washers - besides offering extra clearance - look like a good way to protect the mobo from direct contact with the metallic rails. Thanks again Oli.

#9 (permalink) 08-04-2008, 05:11 AM
panosgb Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 8	Hey, forgot to post my results Have installed the Mugen w/ the ret. kit about a week. I got perfect fit, the Mugen is really stable, there's no bending of the mobo and am seeing temperatures around 36 Celsius in idle. Great!!!

#10 (permalink) 08-04-2008, 07:19 AM
hiroshige Marketing & Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hamburg Posts: 518	Thanks for the Info, good to know! Stefan __________________ Scythe EU GmbH Support Hamburg Register and enjoy the official Scythe Forum Compatibility List for Scythe CPU Coolers We do not accept unpaid packages! Wir akzeptieren keine unfreien Zusendungen!