Attached CPU cooler incorrectly - did I damage CPU or CPU socket?

Josh Waterson

Josh Waterson

Josh Waterson

Associate
Joined
13 Jun 2021
Posts
35
Location
UK
My CPU cooler came with no instructions and I mistakenly followed instructions for an old version of the cooler online, but using the new components.

To cut a long story short, there is a chance I screwed the cooler on too tight. The old components included screws with spacers inbuilt to the screw, whereas the screws I used do not have spacers (i.e. nothing stopping me just screwing the cooler down as hard as possible into the CPU.

I don't think I screwed it in that hard, but I have no idea how much longer the older version's screws were compared to the screws I used and am more than a little worried I've applied too much pressure. The CPU socket backplate came loose after this too.

Any guidance would be really appreciated, this is doing my head in!
 
I tried to screw it in only a little bit, but it's hard to be sure in retrospect - I might have screwed it in a bit more than 'a little bit' initially - at very least, a few revolutions and it was on pretty tight I think (Thermal paste coming out the sides). I have since attached it the proper way.

It's an Arctic Liquid Freezer II AIO.

I don't think the board is bent, however the board can move forward and backwards into the case by about 1-2mm as the screws don't seem to lock it in place, rather just attach it to the case preventing it moving about wildly. I'd have to take it out to be sure, but I don't think there's any significant bending. The backplate coming loose though is worrying and seems to suggest otherwise.
 
I've got the same cooler, the directions for attaching a cooler would be a "screw until the screwdriver goes tight".

If the board isn't bent or damaged within the holes for screws, you should be alright. Hardware is quite robust. It sounds to me from the moving backplate that the screws are not actually tight against the board, do you have the screws that came with the cooler? Are you using the backplate that came with the cooler?
 
No I didn't use the backplate that came with the cooler...to be honest I didn't even notice it.

When you say 'isn't bent or damaged within the holes for screws' what do you mean sorry? I'm not sure what kind of damage you mean precisely - stripping of the threads?

Sorry again, I'm not being fully clear - the backplate is tight against the board now, but it came off completely when I uninstalled the cooler (after installing it wrongly the first time), while installing it properly. I wasn't expecting the backplate to be detachable, but given the cooler came with a backplate, I'm guessing that's pretty normal(?)

As you have the same cooler, I can maybe more specific - I followed the instructions for the rev 2 on Youtube, but in fact, I have the rev 4.
 
Where the CPU cooler is attached, the 4 holes surrounding the socket, there shouldn't be any threading. The threading is on the backplate, hence, I am not longer worried you damaging the motherboard as you just screwed it tightly into the bracket, not the motherboard.

Damage would look like a bit of sand around the holes as if you put sandpaper to plastic, you would feel and see it.

Going back a notch, the cooler comes with 2 brackets on the CPU side, and a plate for the back.THey also provide plastic spaces (white), to go between the 2 brackets on one side. Could you possibly upload a picture? I don't see how the backplate would come off if it is tight against the brackets on the other side.

I think you might have missed something when installing the cooler.

And yeah, installation of this AIO is not a walk in the park, so no worries. From what it sounds, you have not damaged anything, just missed some spacing plastic.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I installed it correctly second time around, although I just screwed the mounting screws into the backplate that came with the motherboard - not the backplate that Arctic provided - not a big deal right? The way I installed it second time basically follows the installation steps under the AMD drop down here: https://support.arctic.de/lf2-240r4

You're right! Not a walk in the park at all...was wishing at the time I'd gone with an easier install cooler.

So, in all, you're thinking there's no damage to CPU, nor CPU socket, nor indeed motherboard by the sounds of my information?
 
Well, the backplate that came with the cooler may have different size threads. Your best bet would be to just use what arctic provided, that will leave no room for error.

No, there won't be any damage. But you'd be better off with the provided tools.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom