NZXT Kraken M22 backplate issue with Asus X470-f Rog Strix Gaming mobo

Biogeneric · 13 Sep 2019 at 15:44

I've bought an NZXT Kraken M22 water cooler for my CPU (Ryzen 3700x). It is compatible with AM4. After removing the default backplate on the mobo, the backplate provided by NZXT, although it fits, the window in the rear is too small and seems to "cover" a couple of metal components. From watching videos on YouTube of this cooler, every other motherboard seems to have less of these metal elements on the rear so the plate fits fine, but on this mobo it doesn't. Any advice? Is it okay to cover these elements with the backplate? See attached image.

EsaT · 13 Sep 2019 at 18:58

You shouldn't but pressure on those components. (likely capacitors)
Worst case would be those getting crushed and short circuiting VRM.

Are those screws/their holes any different from stock back plate?

Biogeneric · 16 Sep 2019 at 20:39

EsaT said:
You shouldn't but pressure on those components. (likely capacitors)
Worst case would be those getting crushed and short circuiting VRM.

Are those screws/their holes any different from stock back plate?

The holes align, but the backplate with the cooler has a slightly narrower window than the stock so it crushes the components.

I can't replicate this issue on Google. I can only presume most motherboards are fine. I contacted Asus and they came back saying it's fine and the parts are compatible.

Bit lost on what to do now... Request a return on the water cooler and buy something else? I'm concerned another backplate may also be an issue.

EsaT · 16 Sep 2019 at 22:20

Biogeneric said:
The holes align, but the backplate with the cooler has a slightly narrower window than the stock so it crushes the components.

I mean can't those screws be used on motherboard's stock backplate?

Biogeneric · 16 Sep 2019 at 22:35

EsaT said:
I mean can't those screws be used on motherboard's stock backplate?

Ah, sorry, no. They are a completely different set up. Same position, but they are rod screws and they don't fit the stock backplate

Biogeneric · 18 Sep 2019 at 16:24

Can anyone recommend another cooler (water or otherwise) that has a backplate window that is wide enough to not crush these components?

Junny Qureshi · 21 Dec 2019 at 17:44

Hey i'm having the same issue but with the Aorus b450 mini itx motherboard, how did you resolve this issue if

peahead · 22 Dec 2019 at 11:22

Are there no soft padded rubber strips provided with that backplate ?