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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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