phenom 965 stock heatsink not fitting

I have the ta790gxb3 biostar board. It says it is compatible with the phenom II 965...However the heatsink simply goes in too deep/processor sticks out too far for the brackets to snap into place....Now im confused on what to do, since I contacted amd via email and they want me to rma

However it might be a motherboard issue too...is it possible for a motherboard to be so disfigured that the cpu wont fit?? I was thinking to replace the retention bracket somehow. I'm not sure what to rma, and if I do wont they just send me the same product? Advice is greatly appreciated thanks!

 

Could you take a pic and show us ?

 

sounds like you have screwed the retention bracket in too much, just screw it in the smallest amount, then see if it fits. Does that make sense, if not ask for more detail.

Burrell

 

wowowowow! Not very noob-friendly at all eh?? Loosening the retainer worked! It came tight outta the box, so thanks ALOT for the quick reply. You sound like you are very experienced with such a precise answer. Thanks again! :wave

I wish I knew this before I tried to install, cause I already cleaned the thermal paste off, and I am in the process of buying a new heatsink. But the one i'm buying is almost guaranteed to yield better temps anyway. Now I can sleep easy.

 

Just make sure the bracket is tight enough to firmly press the heatsink to the processor or poor thermal transfer may occur leading the processor running hot.

 

Yes, thats true. I will try to tighten the retention screws firmly after the heatsink is on and snapped in. I'll also try to update my progress when my new heatsink arrives, to verify if this install method works.

 

Yes, make sure you tighten the retention bracket after you got the Heatsink it.

(Not too hard though, will put stress on the motherboard!)

Burrell

 

Well, I got it on. My temps at idle are about 38C, and at 100% load (using prime95 heat-test) it has reached 58C, and I was afriad it would cross the 62C danger mark, so I turned off the program. I guess I should invest in a new heatsink anyways. Is the high load temperature normal for the phenom 965? I tightened the screws well after install.

 

Temps are well within limits for the core. Anything under 60 is OK and not to be worried about.