Fitting a CPU cooler to an LGA 2011 motherboard?

Montala

Montala

Montala

Soldato
Joined
8 Oct 2005
Posts
2,840
Location
Herefordshire (U.K.)
Hi,

I am somewhat concerned, because two of the installation instructions I have read for some CPU coolers, just say "fasten (or screw) the stand-off to the motherboard".

So far as I am aware, motherboards with an LGA 2011 socket don't come with any pre-installed backplate, or have already screwed cooler fixing holes on the board itself, do they?

I have never been a fan of the push-pin method of fixing anyway, and assumed that I would be using a supplied backplate, into which I would be screwing stand-off's or similar, but this doesn't always seem to be the case!

Am I missing something here, or are we now just expected to screw a fitting straight into the motherboard itself, which doesn't sound like a very good idea to me?

Thanks! :)
 
Which cooler is it you're fitting? I would assume that if the cooler is 2011 compatible, the suitable backplate would be provided.
 
I am looking at the instructions for the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo and also the Phanteks PH-TC14S both of which appear to contain similar information for 2011 sockets.

The CPU I will be cooling is an Intel Core i5 6600K on an Asus Z170I PRO GAMING Intel Z170 mini-itx motherboard.

Hope this helps!
 
Well, I don't have anything at all at the moment, as I haven't actually purchased the cooler yet, but thought I had better try and do a bit of research beforehand.

It does look as if this particular Phantek cooler comes with 4 specific mounting screws for LGA 2011 boards, the installation instructions still say "Step 1: Insert the 4 socket screws directly into mainboard", implying to me that the backplate is neither used or required in this instance.

Actually, I have just realised that I am looking at the instructions for the PH-TC14CS, as they appear to offer two very similar models, but the principal would appear to be the same.

The one I am thinking about using has a 'vertical', rather than 'horizontal', cooling fan, which is the model PH-TC14S I think... most confusing!

Edit: I have just found a review at: http://www.technologyx.com/featured/phanteks-ph-tc14s-cpu-cooler-review/3/ which also says "We start by screwing in the 4 Socket Screws directly into the motherboard..." Hence my original question.
 
Last edited:
Why are you looking at 2011 instructions if you have a 6600K and Z170I? Those are 1151, not 2011.

2011 instructions say to screw the mounts to the board, because 2011 boards have 4 threaded holes on the board, so yeah, you screw the mounts directly in.
 
Unless you're using the push/pull pins, I would have thought it's a necessity to use the backplate. Looking at the Phanteks, you should get one included.

Does that in anyway help?
 
The 212 Evo and the Phanteks are designed to screw into the existing mounting points on 2011.

Unlike LGA115x,the 2011 boards have 4 M4 threaded holes built into the socket. The socket comes with a reinforced backplate. Most coolers either screw into these directly or have standoffs you install.
 
^^Good point actually. I was thinking of the heavier coolers not the lighter ones. Still, peace of mind, I'd rather have a cooler with a backplate.
 
Oh dear... perhaps I should have had a closer look at the motherboard first... as well as not confusing 2011 with 1151 boards. I hadn't realised that they had changed things either, and that the 2011 boards do in fact have threaded holes... hangs head in shame! :(

Out of interest, would you all agree that the Phanteks PH-TC14S would be more suitable for my requirements than the Coolermaster?

Thanks again for the replies to my first (rather silly!) question! :)
 
Last edited:
The TC14S is a slim cooler and is probably similar in performance to the 212. There's nothing wrong with either really. Which one would fit better in your case?
 
I will have to get my ruler out again I think... it will be mounted on an Asus mini-itx board, as mentioned above, inside a Kolink Satellite Cube case which has a fitted rear mounted 120mm fan so there is not that much space to play with.

As you say, the Phanteks is probably the slimmer of the two, but that may not be the deciding factor. I was hoping to fit a Corsaih H60 but there is not enough clearance for the radiator connections, so it is back to the drawing board again!
 
The Kolink satellite has a lot of room. I think it can take upwards of 160mm high coolers. Given you're putting the cooler on a m-itx board, it's more a case of will it fit the motherboard.
 
Thanks... I didn't want to go overboard with a cooler, so eventually decided on the popular Noctua NH-U9S.

Hopefully this will fit in well with the rest of my system, and provide adequate cooling for my 6600K CPU, with a 'front to back' airflow.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom