Reccomendation for first time Athlon HSF installers.

[FunkyTechnician]

After putting my system together about a month and a half ago I have been seeing so many people posting about breaking chips when installing the hsf for the first time so here is some advice from a fellow new computer builder.

Well, I needed a temp hsf while I waited for my Swiftech so I did some research. The Globalwins are supposed to be finger killers, and known for being a bi@$h to install so I stayed away from them. I saw a review on the newest Vantec 6454OD and saw that the clip was indeed designed to be put on easily. This hsf performs on par with the FOP38 with the delta fan.

When it arrived and I installed it, the whole procedure took about 5 seconds (after AS2 application).

I highly recommend this fan for anyone who doesn't want the hassle of hurting themselves or their wallets during a first time installation.

Amiel

[compaq_ML530]

I like this fan because you can't beat the perfomance for the price, the clip is a definate plus too. I lapped mine to a mirror shine and used Artic silver II and got a drop in temp ~3 deg. C

[KaHNZa]

I have yet to lap my hsf. Just haven't gotten around to it. :)

[The Faceless Rebel]

then again, there's always shims 8-)

[Da Whip]

Shims? If you have a good clip, you don't need shims

[Justy303]

I certainly didn´t have any problems mounting my FOP 32-1 without a shimm. That's the same clip as the other FOPs. 10 secs?

[Metaxas]

Nah, forget air cooling...hit the watercooling scene, even just a room temp system would still be WAY more efficient then one of those big ass board crackers...

[Hoot]

Justy303 (May 07, 2001 03:02 a.m.):
I certainly didn´t have any problems mounting my FOP 32-1 without a shimm. That's the same clip as the other FOPs. 10 secs?

Now, in keeping with the experimental spirit of OC'ing, try removing it and reinstalling it several times a week, with the motherboard in the case. I guarantee you, you will eventully start to get chips in the core. I own an FOP-32E. I am not challenged for tools. IE I own 4 different needle-nose pliars. I am not mechanically challenged, or generally speaking, a spaz. Before I replaced the FOP-32E, it managed to chip the **** out of my Duron, not to mention break off a socket tang. The Duron, though missing about 5% of its total surface area due to chipping, run fine. I am now a big proponent of HSF solutions that use the four mobo holes ala Swiftech and Danger Den. Other than those, the Vantec is about thte only clip style HSF I will trust.

Hoot

[dgk]

Please allow me to add one little caveat. Do not ever press down on the heat sink itself. Press down only on the clip. That should minimize chipping of the die.

[SharkyTM]

agreed... i like the vantedc clip as well.... but my alpha is ok, using a needle nose to lock the clip makes it a lot easier... I have one chip on the corner of the die, but my entire case was knocked over during a move (the responsible party's @ss was beaten severely). I have removed the Heatsink about 20 times... i suggest setting the heatsink on the processor as best you can, then GENTLY holding it down as you lock the clips onto the lugs.... GENTLY being the impotant word here, folks... puch too hard and you'll crack the die for sure. Your hands arent perfect at keeping pressure the same on all sides of the HS.....


SharkyTM

[Angry]

And if ur like me and have a super orb whcih is known to just crush athlons mecylessly...You want to unlock that tbid and leave on on as much as you can..i even took a screwdriver and actually bent the clamp to make it somewhat looser but no so loose that it doesnt make good contact with the core....and added i little extra thermal grease....but sooner or later im gnna get into water cooling...and im gona use a regular heat sink....its just an idea right now nothing that has really been confirmed that it can be done