MCW30 standoffs..what I did

[JeffnWV]

Since I had to mod my SB for my EVGA 680i and 8800 gtx (SB screw hits card) I got hardware at local store (Lowe's) and made my own standoffs for both NB and SB.

Parts are 1/4"nylon spacers, and 3/4" 4-40 screws and nuts. I used the nylon spring bushings that come with the chipset blocks and slid it down inside the top of the spacer.
The combination of the nut, nylon spacer and nylon bushing create the PERFECT distance needed (just under 10cm). The mounting plate rests a hair line above the bushing (which acts as a soft washer with "some" compression for tightening tolerance), when the copper block rests on the chipset.

I ran a nut all the way down on the screw of the SB block where it comes up under the GFX card to shorten it the thickness of the nut, so that when it is run up through the mobo from the backside, it and the top nut clear the gfx card by 3/32".

I would have rested the nylon bushing on the mobo but I wanted the screw to be bolted to the mobo (per original mounting application) so it would let me do maintenance on the waterblock. FYI, I am told that the kit that Swiftech is making for these has a threaded standoff which "should" act to secure the mounting screw to the mobo

I know I could have reversed the screw, but again, I wanted the screw to be bolted to the mobo. (no need to remove mobo to reattach the mounting hardware)

The screws are identical thread as what's shipped with the MCW30 so the sweet lil black finger nuts can be used, but the nuts that come with the new screws are larger which is better for stability when mounting to the mobo. Any force on the wb causes the mobo to flex and not the waterblock, so this is very solid. I also used the thin fiber washers that came with the wb's.

So, cheap, effective and hardware from your local store. (I painted the nylon spacers black )

[NaeKuh]

Any mod that works is always a good mod



i did my SB a little differently tho

one bolts from the bottom. the other top. I was too lazy to messure the dremel and cut exact. :X

[JeffnWV]

I saw that new mounting kit coming from Swiftech and just figured I could do it myself!
Eric at Swiftech told me he reversed his screw like you did, but I wanted my screws bolted to the mobo and provide support so the chipset waterblock didn't flex.

Doing it this way, even the screw that's under the gfx card (the one you reversed) is also bolted to the mobo...just is short enuff to clear the card.

[Hard H20]

Jeff,

Nicely done! I've been wondering if that would work. I'm using the DD680i block on the NB and the EK NF4 rev 1.1 on the SB. Getting ready to go back to my old trusty (read less restriction) MCW30's FTW. Good info all the way around guys.

Thanks.

Edit to Add: Gabe, any ETA on the MCW30 revisions????????????

[JeffnWV]

Thx Hardwater!
and Eric told me sometime next week for release

[marauder16]

hmm, I'm interested guys, just bought the MCW30 and now I see on your pics that everyone left the 'protective folium' or whatever it's called on the block, is that just for testing purposes or does it have to stay on? thnx

[Terryb47]

They left it on because they are test mounting, no reason to scratch your block (yet)

[generics_user]

hmm, I'm interested guys, just bought the MCW30 and now I see on your pics that everyone left the 'protective folium' or whatever it's called on the block, is that just for testing purposes or does it have to stay on? thnx

pull it off or you end up with a roasted NB, just for testing purposes (i always keep this protectors on until i do the final mount, to keep the base clean (touch it with your unwashed fingers and you'll see what i mean)

[marauder16]

thought so, thnx guys

[Praz]

The same principle can be used for boards without holes. I've had spacers fastened to the block forever when using the hoop fastening method. Will not rock at all.

[Snyxxx]

Good idea Praz. I never thought to use an "outrigger" for the block back when I used hooks on the i478 mobo.

[emPUR3]

Thank you for making this thread. Have been looking for ways to make a DO IT YOURSELF MCW30 HARDMOUNT KIT. Now I know which parts to buy at the hardware store instead of having to order it from Swiftech. Thanks, JeffnWV.

[AndrewZorn]

I recognized that Lowe's hardware quickly... I have bought so many of those little baggies!

[Waterlogged]

Here we go again with the rash of necro threads.

[LogAn'sRun]

Parts are 1/4"nylon spacers, and 3/4" 4-40 screws and nuts. I used the nylon spring bushings that come with the chipset blocks and slid it down inside the top of the spacer.
The combination of the nut, nylon spacer and nylon bushing create the PERFECT distance needed (just under 10cm). The mounting plate rests a hair line above the bushing (which acts as a soft washer with "some" compression for tightening tolerance), when the copper block rests on the chipset.

Nice mod!

But I think you mean 10mm as 10cm = 3.94inches. . . .

[gillbot]

I saw that new mounting kit coming from Swiftech and just figured I could do it myself!
Eric at Swiftech told me he reversed his screw like you did, but I wanted my screws bolted to the mobo and provide support so the chipset waterblock didn't flex.

Doing it this way, even the screw that's under the gfx card (the one you reversed) is also bolted to the mobo...just is short enuff to clear the card.

I have been looking EVERYWHERE for a source for those thumb nuts, any idea where they can be found?

[emPUR3]

Here we go again with the rash of necro threads.

hahah, Yeah, bro, I was going crazy trying to look for this thread. I made a new thread, but nobody new the size spacer I should get.

I have been looking EVERYWHERE for a source for those thumb nuts, any idea where they can be found?

Yeah, I too would like to know where they get those.