Replacing AMD stock cooler, can't access backplate...

Rsstn · 3 Sep 2013 at 15:59

I have an AMD Phenom II x4 955 processor and I feel that the stock cooler is too loud. I've read on various forums that others are having the same opinion.
In an attempt to quieten the fan noise, I am considering this Arctic Cooling after market cooler: ** No competitor linking **
However, there is one hitch.
My case doesn't have a cutout to give access to the back of the motherboard (or at least not the bit behind the processor), meaning that if I do need to change the backplate I would have to remove the whole motherboard.

My question to you is this:

Do I need to change the backplate, or is there a good chance that the aftermarket cooler might use the same one? The holes are in the same place obviously, but in some pictures of the Arctic Cooling Rev 2, push pins are shown instead of screws like on the stock one.
Thanks,
Ross.

Confused Stu · 3 Sep 2013 at 16:10

Please don't post competitor links - it's not allowed. Here's the same product at OcUK - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-035-AR

According to the installation instructions on Arctic's website - http://www.arctic.ac/fileadmin/f7pr2/manual_en.pdf - the AMD installation doesn't require any access behind the motherboard, it simply clips onto the existing plastic retention bracket on the AMD board.

Hope that helps, and welcome to the forum.

Drangueos · 3 Sep 2013 at 16:31

This cooler doesn't use a backplate on AMD or Intel.

Rsstn · 3 Sep 2013 at 22:48

Oh, wow, thanks.
Glad I came here first, you've been a great help!

foster grant · 4 Sep 2013 at 00:38

I've used that cooler ,always worked fine too, easy to fit...took about 10 minutes ...as long as you dont drop any of the little screws

Rsstn · 4 Sep 2013 at 08:51

Although I just discovered that on an AMD processor, it either has to blow up towards the corner or the PSU or down onto the back of the graphics card. I guess out of the two, blowing onto the PSU is probably better because it at least has its own vent fan.
Not ideal though, as it would be mostly blowing onto the power leads from the PSU, not its fan.

BarKeep · 4 Sep 2013 at 11:39

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler can be fitted to blow towards the rear as well as up or down.

foster grant · 4 Sep 2013 at 11:52

Rsstn said:
Although I just discovered that on an AMD processor, it either has to blow up towards the corner or the PSU or down onto the back of the graphics card. I guess out of the two, blowing onto the PSU is probably better because it at least has its own vent fan.
Not ideal though, as it would be mostly blowing onto the power leads from the PSU, not its fan.

Some can go either way...as has just been posted above

BarKeep · 4 Sep 2013 at 15:33

foster grant said:
Some can go either way...as has just been posted above

What's that on my shoulder? :eek:

foster grant · 4 Sep 2013 at 16:49

Rsstn · 5 Sep 2013 at 11:52

But then we go back around full circle to having to remove the back plate, which it looks like I would have to do with the coolermaster, in addition to the slightly higher max noise level.