XP120 & Mobile 3400+ A64...what needs to be done?

[EnJoY]

I've heard rumors that the XP-120 doesn't make proper contact on Mobile/DTR chips without some slight modification. First of all, is this true, and secondly if it is, then what is it that I need to do in order to get proper contact. Thanks.

[EnJoY]

I know you guys have an answer for me...come clean with it. ;)

[WesM63]

Well i've never seen or used a XP-120 but if the base goes over the cam socket, you will have contact issues as the core sets lower than the cam socket.

If it mounts using the stock retention bracket its not going to make contact either. It will have to be modified somehow.

[zippyc]

On my DFI Lanparty UT there were four tiny pinhead-sized plastic standoffs molded into each corner of the plastic cpu frame.

These pointed up...I assume to help prevent rocking like the older style felt pads used to.

I installed a desktop 3200+ chip with the AMD original metal top/heat spreader and had no issues with my TT K8.

When I checked for contact after mounting the TT K8 on the mobile chip,I found there was poor contact due to clearence. (That chip is shorter in the socket...no shim!)

I shaved the four little plastic pimples on the DFI CPU socket flat to the surface with a scalpel xacto knife. I also shimmed the spring height on my K8 cooler with aluminum in order for it to clamp properly/tight enough.

Just check the thermal paste BEFORE POWER UP after you think you have it right (mount the cooler and pull it off again), and make sure all of it squeezed to the edges and that the fansink does not rock in the cradle when clamped in final position. Then clean and mount it again using the same amount of paste (amount adjusted if needed) for the final time.

Make sure you monitor your cpu temps carefully at startup, and be ready to power off instantly in case they soar.

This fixed my clearence issues. Hope that helps.

zippyc

[EnJoY]

I don't have the plastic socket thingy around my cpu socket anymore as I removed it to install the SLK948. So I'm thinking I may have totally dodged that problem with that. Thanks a lot for informing me on your experiences, I appreciate it. :)

[zippyc]

I got a DFI Lanparty UT NF250 from newegg this week, and I had to flash the bios to the JSJ A15, which adds memtest to the bios options, 4V on the RAM (if your PS puts out more than 3.3V, that is), and fixes the CPU throttling bug (Turn off throttling = get no post with mobile Proc with factory BIOS).

So you may have to update that BIOS too.

zippyc

[EnJoY]

Oh yes I know, this is my second DFI UT LP I'll be getting...my previous one got killed with watercooling leaks...so I have lots of experience with this board already. Thanks.

[EnJoY]

Anyone else have any experience or information on this?

[blinky]

im going to be using mobile 3400 and DFI UT setup as well soon

im going to be using the zalman 7000 or 7700 though
so im going to have to mod mine as well

could you post pics of the mounting hardware on the xp-120

[Pyrthas]

If the XP-120 mounts the same way that the XP-90 does, it will come with its own bracket. If it doesn't, then I have no idea how it mounts. :)

[EnJoY]

How does this bracket work? Does it mount to the board (bolt down) or to the socket?

[zippyc]

Here is a review with pics of the XP-120.

http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=254

Google is your friend. :)

[EnJoY]

Good review, I'll probably be lapping mine too. However I wish it were on an A64.