Difficulty installing AM4 CPU cooler

[Lemonpearl]

So I just removed my Wraith Stealth cooler as it's been making a lot of noise since I finished my build.

 

But I can't screw the cooler bracketsn neededfor my new cooler into the motherboard. With my PC just lying on it's side, I also can't see if there's a backplate either. 

 

So my questions:

Is there meant to be a backplate?

Can you give be any advice/tips so I can proceed.

 

Cooler: Arctic Alpine 64 Plus

[FloRolf]

Which cooler are you installing? If it came with a backplate you have to install it. Take out the motherboard to do it. 

[Lemonpearl]

3 minutes ago, FloRolf said:

Which cooler are you installing? If it came with a backplate you have to install it. Take out the motherboard to do it. 

There's no backplate provided with the cooler (Alpine 64 plus).

 

Edit: It seems to use the cooler brackets pre installed on AM4 boards. I removed them to install my stock wraith, but now I can't seem to screw them back into moba.

Edited October 20, 2018 by Lemonpearl

[paddy-stone]

It doesn't use the same mounting mechanism, it uses the am4 brackets that come on the motherboard that you had to take out to use the wraith cooler. Once you have the plastic brackets back on the motherboard you clip the new cooler onto it... there should be instructions with the cooler.

[Fasauceome]

8 minutes ago, FloRolf said:

Take out the motherboard to do it. 

Hopefully OP has a case that wouldn't require that.

[Lemonpearl]

1 minute ago, paddy-stone said:

It doesn't use the same mounting mechanism, it uses the am4 brackets that come on the motherboard that you had to take out to use the wraith cooler. Once you have the plastic brackets back on the motherboard you clip the new cooler onto it... there should be instructions with the cooler.

Right, but I can't seem to screw the plastic brackets onto the motherboard. Is there supposed to be a mounting plate?

[paddy-stone]

Quote

IMPROVED INSTALLATION: The mounting of the Alpine 64 PLUS is absolutely transport proof, the MX-4 thermal compound already pre-applied onto the heatsink. New in Rev. 1.1: The installation is significantly easier and even quicker - Put it on (clips hook in automatically), fasten the screws - ready

 

1 hour ago, Lemonpearl said:

Right, but I can't seem to screw the plastic brackets onto the motherboard. Is there supposed to be a mounting plate?

Yes there was a backplate that came on the motherboard that you took off, hopefully you can find where you put it.

 

Sorry I misunderstood... if you just removed the wraith cooler the backplate most likely dropped which is why you can't screw the new cooler in.... you should remove the motherboard from the case to install the new cooler properly.

[GeoSvigos]

Maybe your backplate is loose behind your mobo when removing the brackets

[Lemonpearl]

3 minutes ago, paddy-stone said:

Sorry I misunderstood... if you just removed the wraith cooler the backplate most likely dropped which is why you can't screw the new cooler in.... you should remove the motherboard from the case to install the new cooler properly.

Okay. I'll do that. Also, when cleaning then CPU, do I need to remove it from moba?

[paddy-stone]

1 minute ago, Lemonpearl said:

Okay. I'll do that. Also, when cleaning then CPU, do I need to remove it from moba?

Not if you're careful not to spill the alcohol on the board... it won't harm it as such, but you will have to wait for the alcohol to disipate (dry out) if you do spill.

Personally I remove the CPU and give it a good clean with a microfibre cloth, I have loads of them and just wash them afterwards. I make sure to have a firm grip on the CPU and I make sure the pins are protected. If you're worried about dropping it or something see if you can clean the CPU while it's still in situ, clean off what you can by cleaning multiple times. When it looks clean you can then apply the new thermal compound, or if your cooler comes with pre-applied TIM, you can just go ahead and install the cooler.

[Lemonpearl]

16 minutes ago, paddy-stone said:

Not if you're careful not to spill the alcohol on the board... it won't harm it as such, but you will have to wait for the alcohol to disipate (dry out) if you do spill.

Personally I remove the CPU and give it a good clean with a microfibre cloth, I have loads of them and just wash them afterwards. I make sure to have a firm grip on the CPU and I make sure the pins are protected. If you're worried about dropping it or something see if you can clean the CPU while it's still in situ, clean off what you can by cleaning multiple times. When it looks clean you can then apply the new thermal compound, or if your cooler comes with pre-applied TIM, you can just go ahead and install the cooler.

Thanks. Annoyingly, a drop of thermal compound remover fell onto the board. It's tiny and I've dabbed it off but I can still see where it landed. How long should I wait for it to dry?

[GeoSvigos]

Until it dessappears

[paddy-stone]

1 minute ago, Lemonpearl said:

Thanks. Annoyingly, a drop of thermal compound remover fell onto the board. It's tiny and I've dabbed it off but I can still see where it landed. How long should I wait for it to dry?

It depedns on what exactly you used as remover? if it's isopropyl alcohol it will dissipate almost immediately.

[Lemonpearl]

1 minute ago, paddy-stone said:

It depedns on what exactly you used as remover? if it's isopropyl alcohol it will dissipate almost immediately.

I'm using Arcticlean http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm

[paddy-stone]

3 minutes ago, Lemonpearl said:

I'm using Arcticlean http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm

which one did you spill?

[Lemonpearl]

1 minute ago, paddy-stone said:

which one did you spill?

The first one. "Thermal material remover".

[paddy-stone]

Ahh OK, in that case, use a couple drops of the "cleanser" on a cloth and gently wipe the spill away.

[Lemonpearl]

3 minutes ago, paddy-stone said:

Ahh OK, in that case, use a couple drops of the "cleanser" on a cloth and gently wipe the spill away.

By "cleanser" do you mean the "purifier"?

[paddy-stone]

Just now, Lemonpearl said:

By "cleanser" do you mean the "purifier"?

yep

 

 

[Lemonpearl]

1 hour ago, paddy-stone said:

yep

 

 

Clearly there's something wrong with my arcticlean. I've been as careful as possible and I've spilt more drips. This time it landed on the pcie header.

 

What to do now? Would it be better to just get a new board at this point?

[Lemonpearl]

I spilt a couple drops of the "thermal material remover" http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm

 

One drop unfortunately landed on the metal rim of the PCIE port. I'm not sure if any got inside, but it's a possibility.

 

So far, I've dabbed both of the landing spots with (non-lint) paper towels. But I can still see a mark.

 

Someone also suggested using the ArtiClean "thermal surface purifier" to clean the board. Would that be a good idea?

[W-L]

2 minutes ago, Lemonpearl said:

I spilt a couple drops of the "thermal material remover" http://www.arcticsilver.com/arcticlean.htm

 

One drop unfortunately landed on the metal rim of the PCIE port. I'm not sure if any got inside, but it's a possibility.

 

So far, I've dabbed both of the landing spots with (non-lint) paper towels. But I can still see a mark.

 

Someone also suggested using the ArtiClean "thermal surface purifier" to clean the board. Would that be a good idea?

That stuff flashes away pretty quick so after a few mins there shouldn't be anything left, you'll be fine as is. 

[Lemonpearl]

Embarrassing, but I messed up yet again and lifted my cooler up getting a thin line of thermal paste on the cpu.

 

Should I clean it off or nah?

[DND]

12 minutes ago, Lemonpearl said:

Embarrassing, but I messed up yet again and lifted my cooler up getting a thin line of thermal paste on the cpu.

Should I clean it off or nah?

def clean it off first.

[Lemonpearl]

Just now, DND said:

def clean it off first.

Okay, thanks.