Anyone installed cooler with motherboard still in case?

Emphacy · 27 Feb 2011 at 13:29

Okay, so got my new cooler yesterday, Akasa Venom Nano, didn't want a cooler which was too big so bought this.

To tell you the truth, I can't be bothered to take my motherboard out, means unplugging stuff, moving stuff, removing screws, all time consuming.
Anyone else ever installed a cooler while the board was still in the case? I want to know how easy/ safe it is to do so, never have done it before, usually always take it out, and only ever used stock Intel fans.

Today i'm being lazy, so, yes do so, or no take it out and do it properly you muppet?

Brian8bit · 27 Feb 2011 at 13:31

If your case has a large opening behind the motherboard, you should be able to mount a new heatsink and X bracket without taking the motherboard out.

stulid · 27 Feb 2011 at 13:31

Have to ask, do you have a nice big hole in the motherboard tray to access the back of the board that actually lines up with the mounting holes so you can access all screw heads?

Emphacy · 27 Feb 2011 at 14:02

The motherboard tray is non-removable and taking off my right side panel, there's no hole in it to access any of the rear of the motherboard.

It's an LGA-775 socket with the standard push pin mechanism so don't really need to access the rear, may be a bit fiddly though, being a mid tower case.

I may give it a go, unless there's any problems anyone has encountered doing this before... Thanks.

Brian8bit · 27 Feb 2011 at 14:05

If the replacement cooler uses push pins, that's all good. If it requires mounting a bracket to the back of the board, you're going to have to take it out.

ryu · 27 Feb 2011 at 14:07

i installed the arctic cooler 7 rev2 1155 recently which is push pin was easy peasy to install with the motherboard still in the case

Emphacy · 27 Feb 2011 at 14:35

ah right, I see there's no problems then.
I'll give it a go in about an hour, cheers guys.

m4rkw7 · 27 Feb 2011 at 15:25

The motherboard tray is non-removable and taking off my right side panel, there's no hole in it to access any of the rear of the motherboard.

Personally, I'd take the motherboard out.

stulid · 27 Feb 2011 at 15:53

Last time I took a push pin cooler of a motherboard, I had to get to the back of the board to gently squeeze the two half's of each pin together to pull it through the hole.

Emphacy · 27 Feb 2011 at 19:34

Thanks for the input guys, did it while still in case, nice and simple and had no problems... To save me opening a new thread, is 1.3125V a low VID for C2Q Q6600?