• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 10:41
CEST 16:41
KST 23:41
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
BGE Stara Zagora 2025: Info & Preview27Code S RO12 Preview: GuMiho, Bunny, SHIN, ByuN3The Memories We Share - Facing the Final(?) GSL47Code S RO12 Preview: Cure, Zoun, Solar, Creator4[ASL19] Finals Preview: Daunting Task30
Community News
Weekly Cups (June 2-8): herO doubles down1[BSL20] ProLeague: Bracket Stage & Dates9GSL Ro4 and Finals moved to Sunday June 15th13Weekly Cups (May 27-June 1): ByuN goes back-to-back0EWC 2025 Regional Qualifier Results26
StarCraft 2
General
Jim claims he and Firefly were involved in match-fixing The SCII GOAT: A statistical Evaluation StarCraft 1 & 2 Added to Xbox Game Pass CN community: Firefly accused of suspicious activities How does the number of casters affect your enjoyment of esports?
Tourneys
Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) Bellum Gens Elite: Stara Zagora 2025 $3,500 WardiTV European League 2025 Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament SOOPer7s Showmatches 2025
Strategy
[G] Darkgrid Layout Simple Questions Simple Answers [G] PvT Cheese: 13 Gate Proxy Robo
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 477 Slow and Steady Mutation # 476 Charnel House Mutation # 475 Hard Target Mutation # 474 Futile Resistance
Brood War
General
BGH auto balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ FlaSh Witnesses SCV Pull Off the Impossible vs Shu BW General Discussion StarCraft & BroodWar Campaign Speedrun Quest Will foreigners ever be able to challenge Koreans?
Tourneys
[ASL19] Grand Finals NA Team League 6/8/2025 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL20] ProLeague Bracket Stage - Day 2
Strategy
I am doing this better than progamers do. [G] How to get started on ladder as a new Z player
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread What do you want from future RTS games? Armies of Exigo - YesYes? Nintendo Switch Thread Path of Exile
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
LiquidLegends to reintegrate into TL.net
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Vape Nation Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
Maru Fan Club Serral Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Korean Music Discussion [Manga] One Piece
Sports
2024 - 2025 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
A Better Routine For Progame…
TrAiDoS
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Heero Yuy & the Tax…
KrillinFromwales
I was completely wrong ab…
jameswatts
Need Your Help/Advice
Glider
Trip to the Zoo
micronesia
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 30131 users

cpu cooler will not fit on

Forum Index > Tech Support
Post a Reply
Normal
cheeseyesplz
Profile Joined February 2011
United Kingdom82 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-28 10:24:51
February 28 2011 10:21 GMT
#1
I am building my computer now and the CPU cooler will not fit.

I have the Phenom II 965 and Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H 890GX motherboard.

I read the instructions and it says I have to push down. I really pushed down hard and the retention brackets just won't reach...One bracket can fit at any given time but both of them together just isn't working.

I even did the unthinkable and took the cooler off to try it the other way. The paste appears to be spread on the cpu and cooler fine (it was pre applied) but do I really have to re apply it? Everything came from where I ordered (ebuyer) except for the thermal paste and because it was pre applied I decided not to bother moaning.

Any suggestions? Also continuing with the same method of just pushing it down a bit harder will break it so please don't say that. Thanks

Edie: I did unlock it as well
BlueCow
Profile Joined September 2010
167 Posts
February 28 2011 10:33 GMT
#2
as long as the thermal paste is still wet your fine in that area, check and make sure that the cooler supports your socket type, what cooler are you using?
PolSC2
Profile Joined December 2010
United States634 Posts
February 28 2011 13:17 GMT
#3
We need to know what CPU cooler you have.

Any suggestions? Also continuing with the same method of just pushing it down a bit harder will break it so please don't say that. Thanks


How do you know? For instance, when installing my CPU (i5-2500k) into the Gigabyte UD3H mobo, it actually felt like I was going to break it, so I stopped. Researched online, and found this to be normal. So I pushed harder, and it worked. (Don't push harder without research, though.)
We learn nothing from history except that we learn nothing from history.
cheeseyesplz
Profile Joined February 2011
United Kingdom82 Posts
February 28 2011 13:19 GMT
#4
i have researched and it can be pushed...but damn i pushed so hard it began to hurt my fingers so i had to stop
PolSC2
Profile Joined December 2010
United States634 Posts
February 28 2011 13:21 GMT
#5
Lol.

Do you still need help with this? If you do, what CPU cooler do you have? Stock, or aftermarket? If aftermarket, what model?
We learn nothing from history except that we learn nothing from history.
Greek820
Profile Joined December 2010
Canada210 Posts
February 28 2011 13:30 GMT
#6
I'm geussing you have stock...the dreaded amd stock cooler, it's horrible lol, just push hard and keep trying
(>^.^)>~~~ Phenom ii x4 955, Gigabyte 6850, g.skill 4gb ripjaws, GA-880GA mobo, corsair cx500w, storm scout, WD 500gb blue
cheeseyesplz
Profile Joined February 2011
United Kingdom82 Posts
February 28 2011 13:37 GMT
#7
i have tried stock and bflip you seem to be correct it is horrible, a friend gave me some filler to add a few mils of height to the stand but i am really not sure about that even though it looked fine.

also have the arctic cooler freezer 7 pro but the stand is completely different to the 1 already in the motherboard and the only way it seems to be able to fit in is if i drill through the damn thing!

any chance i can find a stand compatible with my mobo and this fan or will i have to replace the fan with a different 1? i will be popping to a computer shop in a few hours to ask for some advice if i can't find a solution to things online :/
PolSC2
Profile Joined December 2010
United States634 Posts
February 28 2011 13:42 GMT
#8
If you take your motherboard along with the CPU cooler, I'm sure your local computer shop will be able to help you with it.
We learn nothing from history except that we learn nothing from history.
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-28 14:09:34
February 28 2011 14:09 GMT
#9
AMD heatsink is SO SO SO MUCH EASIER to install than the Intel hetasink.
Starp
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada199 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-28 19:15:42
February 28 2011 14:09 GMT
#10
Hi,

I have the same cpu and motherboard (it's great imo). I had the same problem you had with stock cpu heatsink/fan, but I eventually put the heatsink/fan on without too much trouble. Here, I think the cpu can take some pressure as the outside of the cpu is just the shell and the important stuff is located inside with a small gap from the shell I think. I would say that one should be more aware of the flexing on the motherboard than the pressure exerted on the cpu.

It initially seems like a lot of applied force, but follow the instructions, note the motherboard flexing and it should be ok.

I'm using the Coolermaster 212+ cpu aftermarket cooler now.
"I am wasting away here...click me" - a big Thor
thehitman
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
1105 Posts
February 28 2011 14:37 GMT
#11
You need to apply very hard pressure on all sides.
I suggest you take a square metal plate 2-3cm2 bigger than the cooler, put it on top of the cooler and with both hands push down hard.

the plate is to have equal pressure applied on all sides of the cooler in order to go in.
maartendq
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Belgium3115 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-28 16:50:04
February 28 2011 16:49 GMT
#12
On February 28 2011 22:30 bflip wrote:
I'm geussing you have stock...the dreaded amd stock cooler, it's horrible lol, just push hard and keep trying

This. You don't want to know how hard I had to push to get mine in place.. I'm surprised I didn't break the motherboard.
Cel.erity
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States4890 Posts
February 28 2011 17:00 GMT
#13
As long as you have your mobo mounted correctly, you won''t break it. You could probably stand on your heatsink without risk of damaging the motherboard. The case is bearing all of the load.
We found Dove in a soapless place.
BGrael
Profile Joined November 2010
Germany229 Posts
February 28 2011 17:07 GMT
#14
I recently put an new fan on my AMD Phenom II. I also had the feeling I would break it if i applied more force, but I think the cpu and motherboard can really take more pressure than you would think.However, I heard it is important to apply the pressure evenly, so that you don't damage the cpu.
Skrammen
Profile Joined October 2010
Norway195 Posts
February 28 2011 17:24 GMT
#15
I have the exact same setup. I was a bit suprised by this aswell, but you just have to push like you're giving birth to quadruplets.
The muffin mare is seated at the labratory of the utility muffin research kitchen.
Lyzon
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United Kingdom440 Posts
February 28 2011 18:17 GMT
#16
i found stock amd heatsinks a breeze to install :/

you just hook the top latch on the heatsink(one without the lever) on the mobo facing north of the cpu

then (making sure the lever is unlocked) push down to get the second latch to hook onto the bottom hook. you just have to push REALLY hard and once the latch is hooked, push the lever down and its done.
jaj22
Profile Joined September 2009
United Kingdom1376 Posts
February 28 2011 18:25 GMT
#17
With the AMD bracket, you just have to put the lever in the unlocked position and then the clips go on quite easily. You'd never get the damned thing off otherwise. If you have the lever in the locked position or halfway between, then you'll need a massive amount of force.

Intel heatsinks are much harder.
AyameStarcraft
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
United Kingdom192 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-28 19:05:25
February 28 2011 19:05 GMT
#18
I guess I'm the only one thinking that Intel heatsinks are a piece of cake to install...
// ᴵᴹᴍᴠᴘ \\
Poocs
Profile Joined February 2011
94 Posts
February 28 2011 19:14 GMT
#19
On March 01 2011 04:05 AyameStarcraft wrote:
I guess I'm the only one thinking that Intel heatsinks are a piece of cake to install...


Those plastic pins are a pain. But there are other reasons to choose heatsinks that use a better mounting system.
OpticalShot
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Canada6330 Posts
February 28 2011 19:32 GMT
#20
I think I had the same motherboard (if not very similar) and AMD Phenom II 1055T, I bought a separate HSF (I think it was ~$25) because I was tipped by a friend that the stock fan was loud and useless. Well, fitting in that HSF was moderately difficult, but it snapped on with some effort.

So yeah, don't be afraid to push it on... probably won't break.
[TLMS] REBOOT
RushGG
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United Kingdom212 Posts
February 28 2011 19:42 GMT
#21
When I installed my Zalman CPS9700 on my AMD Phenom II x4 965 it took so much force to get the second clip to reach down I was worried about breaking my mobo..

To this day however, it is working great. CPU Coolers (especially AMD from what I've found in past experience) take a lot of force to get the 2nd clip to reach.
~ 안녕, 저는 현재 한국어를 배우는 중이에요 :D ~ Follow me on Twitter @RushGeeGee
cheeseyesplz
Profile Joined February 2011
United Kingdom82 Posts
February 28 2011 23:50 GMT
#22
ok the cooler problem was solved i just needed an extra pair of hands as it was too fidgety

everything in, i quadruple (probably more) checked the wiring and all i got was a blue LED flash at the front panel. i confirmed i got the positive and negative pins correct as well.

my 24 pin connector seems to be coming loose as well even though i am hearing the click so i may have a fault psu. i will hopefully get it going tomorrow.

thanks for all your answers as well guys
semantics
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
10040 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-01 00:16:11
March 01 2011 00:07 GMT
#23
On March 01 2011 04:14 Poocs wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 01 2011 04:05 AyameStarcraft wrote:
I guess I'm the only one thinking that Intel heatsinks are a piece of cake to install...


Those plastic pins are a pain. But there are other reasons to choose heatsinks that use a better mounting system.

the stock cooler lol it's easy on intel, you push 2 down at opposite ends until you hear teh clicks then you do the other two it's easy both stock coolers are pretty easy to install, the thing i hate about amd's is that often the mountings on after market coolers aren't well thought out either the vrm or the northbridge is in the way of making it easy, intel i can usually just screw things down.
KevinIX
Profile Joined October 2009
United States2472 Posts
March 01 2011 00:20 GMT
#24
Yep, if you're using the stock fan, it's a bitch. It took me an hour to install my first processor. Hah. I even took out a hammer, but decided against using it.
Liquid FIGHTING!!!
Cel.erity
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States4890 Posts
March 01 2011 10:49 GMT
#25
On March 01 2011 09:20 KevinIX wrote:
Yep, if you're using the stock fan, it's a bitch. It took me an hour to install my first processor. Hah. I even took out a hammer, but decided against using it.


Violence is NOT the answer.
We found Dove in a soapless place.
Normal
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
WardiTV Invitational
11:00
WardiTV June Groups A & 1/2C
Harstem vs PercivalLIVE!
Krystianer vs MaxPax
YoungYakov vs Spirit
Krystianer vs YoungYakov
WardiTV1147
IndyStarCraft 203
Rex180
LiquipediaDiscussion
Replay Cast
10:00
StarCraft Evolution League #13
CranKy Ducklings94
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Harstem 324
IndyStarCraft 203
Rex 180
ProTech80
Vindicta 33
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 25611
Sea 7356
EffOrt 1078
Stork 700
Larva 450
ggaemo 447
Mini 375
Snow 349
Light 332
actioN 290
[ Show more ]
ZerO 242
BeSt 233
Mong 84
Pusan 81
GoRush 67
Hyun 66
sas.Sziky 62
Sea.KH 62
sSak 60
Sacsri 49
Sharp 48
Movie 33
Backho 29
Aegong 28
Shine 24
Nal_rA 16
Terrorterran 10
yabsab 9
Dota 2
Gorgc10388
XcaliburYe478
syndereN367
Counter-Strike
Foxcn555
Stewie2K367
byalli285
olofmeister219
edward100
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor57
Other Games
singsing1913
B2W.Neo1307
DeMusliM368
Lowko286
crisheroes271
XaKoH 170
ArmadaUGS165
Mew2King137
KnowMe55
QueenE54
ZerO(Twitch)14
Organizations
StarCraft: Brood War
UltimateBattle 1656
Other Games
BasetradeTV28
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 9
Kim Chul Min (afreeca) 6
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• poizon28 14
• intothetv
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 3218
League of Legends
• Nemesis10557
• Jankos1852
• TFBlade894
Upcoming Events
PiGosaur Monday
9h 19m
GSL Code S
18h 49m
Rogue vs GuMiho
Maru vs Solar
Online Event
1d 9h
Replay Cast
1d 11h
GSL Code S
1d 18h
herO vs Zoun
Classic vs Bunny
The PondCast
1d 19h
Replay Cast
2 days
WardiTV Invitational
2 days
OSC
2 days
Korean StarCraft League
3 days
[ Show More ]
CranKy Ducklings
3 days
WardiTV Invitational
3 days
Cheesadelphia
4 days
CSO Cup
4 days
GSL Code S
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Wardi Open
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
RSL Revival
6 days
Cure vs Percival
ByuN vs Spirit
Liquipedia Results

Completed

CSL Season 17: Qualifier 2
BGE Stara Zagora 2025
Heroes 10 EU

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
BSL Season 20
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
NPSL S3
Rose Open S1
CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
2025 GSL S2
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters
CCT Season 2 Global Finals
IEM Melbourne 2025
YaLLa Compass Qatar 2025
PGL Bucharest 2025
BLAST Open Spring 2025

Upcoming

Copa Latinoamericana 4
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
K-Championship
SEL Season 2 Championship
Esports World Cup 2025
HSC XXVII
Championship of Russia 2025
Murky Cup #2
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.