Do you use shims on your nb-sb?

[Eddie3dfx]

Do you guys use shims on your northbridge/southbridge?

If you use them, can you post where you purchase them.

[Xilikon]

With my Maximus Formula, no need since the NB have a IHS.

[Eddie3dfx]

With my Maximus Formula, no need since the NB have a IHS.

See thats nice. I wish the nvidia chipsets were like that.
One of the problems is when you tighten the block down and have to insert tubing, sometimes you move the block every so slightly, resulting in the double digits of death --

[IanY]

You know that you can just cut out the foam that ships inside the mobo box, right?

[dude_500]

I have a maximus formula x38 so it isn't needed

[WoZZeR999]

I have never used a shim, but if you want to be anal about it, http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/micoprru.html

[Eddie3dfx]

I have never used a shim, but if you want to be anal about it, http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/micoprru.html

protective rubbers eh?

[Zaskar]

I really should.

On my EVGA 790i I had a EK NB and SB block, the SB block is a serious pain to install, the screws are under the height of the springs because their on the bottom and cant stick down that far. It is impossible to mount with even pressure unless you have like 5 arms. Ended up nicking 2 corners of the SB die.

Luckily it didn't do any damage to the die itself and was small enough where it just took half a mm off the corner metal die cap, after placing the stock cooling back on right away to test, it still worked fine. It could of easily been much worse.

Since then I have gotten a Enzotech SLF-1 for the SB (WCing it would of meant no SLI) and it has a foam square to go around the die, and a easier mounting system.

The NB I have no foam on, but its much easier to tighten down perfectly. But maybe I should get the foam cut out for it as someone has said, attaching and removing tubing puts side to side stress on blocks, and may nick the corners again. Though I dont know if the foam cut outs would solve that issue as foam still compresses.

[0xdeadbeef]

I must agree with Zaskar. I have exactly this experience with the SB of my 790i. When I thought I had completed my rig I got the dreaded FF code on the LED. I had water blocks everywhere on the mobo and the only thing I could do was take everything apart again. Another three hours work.

My FF code was caused by a short on the SB. I solved the problem by installing MIPS chipset protective pad.

[Eddie3dfx]

Same thing happened to me on the sb or nb of the 680i. It either shorted out the chipset or crushed it.

[Martinm210]

I did on my 680i and still managed to chip the NB chip corners a little after enough times of remounts. No problem on the DFI though, big IHS on the NB and the southbridge is also a big well protected chip.

[jonny_ftm]

As of the X38, intel chips have an IHS. For P35 and before, better use a foam and be careful

[YMAA]

I use a shim on my Evercool passive heatsink on my board's nortbridge. Don't want to take the risk, and it make for a more even contact since mine uses pushpins, not bolts.

[Zaskar]

I did on my 680i and still managed to chip the NB chip corners a little after enough times of remounts. No problem on the DFI though, big IHS on the NB and the southbridge is also a big well protected chip.

Outta curiosity did it still work fine?