I found out why some Ultra-120 Extremes are loose [PIC]

[njkid32]

The Xeon 3210 is lapped but the U-120 isnt. Its at 400x8 1.43v on a dfi-s. Before I added the penny my temps were all over the place.. Kinda like yours. I had a delta of about 5c between all 4 cores.

Now, when I compare that setup to my Q6600 at 389x9 1.45v 3.5ghz unlapped on a Big Typhoon there is a huge difference. This Q6600 running WCG 24/7 is at about 65c give or take a few degrees.. Depending on the ambient temps. Now, that IHS is pretty flat so I am blaming my high temps on the Big Typhoon.. I think I'll get another one of these U-120's for that as well and while I am at it I'll lap the Q6600.

Here is a before and after.. As you can see my Xeon temps still jump around a bit but this friggen cold down here Core 0 is usually the same as core 3 but when I hit printscreen it dropped for some reason it should be as 58c.

[crossg]

The Xeon 3210 is lapped but the U-120 isnt. Its at 400x8 1.43v on a dfi-s. Before I added the penny my temps were all over the place.. Kinda like yours. I had a delta of about 5c between all 4 cores.

Now, when I compare that setup to my Q6600 at 389x9 1.45v 3.5ghz unlapped on a Big Typhoon there is a huge difference. This Q6600 running WCG 24/7 is at about 65c give or take a few degrees.. Depending on the ambient temps. Now, that IHS is pretty flat so I am blaming my high temps on the Big Typhoon.. I think I'll get another one of these U-120's for that as well and while I am at it I'll lap the Q6600.

Thanks for the answer. Guess I will run out and get some sandpaper and lap the Q6600, then add the penny. On second thought I think I will practice on my E6600 (Cheaper if I mess up).

[Vapor]

Why not use layered electrical tape and an exacto knife? Get the exact shape and thickness you want....and it's also pretty high-friction.

[njkid32]

That just might work Vapor... I think if TR implemented little metal pieces sticking up to keep the X bracket from twisting like the Big Typhoon has that would solve the twisting problem.. Also, if the X bracket had more of a bent up angle on the 4 arms it would give a little more pressure on the cpu.

[K3Fallout]

Well, I ordered the Ultra 120 Extreme and what I just noticed is that my mounting bracket isn't 'balanced'. It's like.. lopsided. If you don't get what I mean I'll try to take a picture of it but for those who get what I mean, will this pose as a problem?

[njkid32]

I noticed this with mine as well.. All I did to solve it was add the penny and just adjust with the 4 screws. If you cant get it totally even then use a thicker shim which will allow you a little more leeway with the screws.

[K3Fallout]

Well let's hope I don't screw up since this will be my first build ever.

[njkid32]

Well, thats what XS is for.. You'll find all the answers you need right here. If after you've searched your heart out start a thread asking for help.. Thats what we are here for

Sorry for the OT!

[K3Fallout]

To get back on topic, I just gave it a test drive. It's really, really loose. I put a dime under there, and it's like.. still loose.

[MrDisco]

my U120E has a curve along one of the axis on the base (the part that is in contact with the cpu). is this normal?

[MrDisco]

According to Thermalright tech support:

"The bracket is designed to bring adequate pressure from heatsink to the cpu IHS. Mount it, check temperature and you'll know.

The one you recieve (without the washer) is actually the new version."

[ineedaname]

I just got 2 TRUE's and they both don't have the washer.

[introstand]

If that is the new versin, shouldn't we expect a better mount than before??

ineedaname: Is your heatsink loose?

[Vapor]

For balancing....tighten the two screws on the bottom bracket all the way, then go for the top bracket screws.

[crossg]

The one you recieve (without the washer) is actually the new version."

Guess I have the old style. It seems odd that they would not include the washer on the newer version unless there are some discreet modifications to the bracket that we are not aware of. I lapped both my CPU and U-120 yesterday and now it's even easier to twist but the overall temps went down 3-4 degrees under load. I am thinking a 1 inch flat washer with a 1/4" beveled hole might do the trick. Guess I will make one at work tomorrow amd give it a try.

[Jobeo]

i think i must have the newer version cause mine came with no washer. i read about these twisty problems but i haven't experienced anything like it.

the thing is mounted far tighter than seems normal. when installing it i tightened one screw one down (not even close to half-way) and then "try" to screw its diagonal partner down. i had to use extreme force just to get the screw to meet the backplate. i did it on a flat surface so as not to snap the board!

once all 4 screws were on i tightened them all a bit more. definitely not all the way, several threads were still visible ... but the tightness of the whole thing, i dunno it seemed way over the top to me. i guess thats the change they made i'm not sure.

[introstand]

Jobeo: That sounds great. Could you give us some results?

[Dublin_Gunner]

i think i must have the newer version cause mine came with no washer. i read about these twisty problems but i haven't experienced anything like it.

the thing is mounted far tighter than seems normal. when installing it i tightened one screw one down (not even close to half-way) and then "try" to screw its diagonal partner down. i had to use extreme force just to get the screw to meet the backplate. i did it on a flat surface so as not to snap the board!

once all 4 screws were on i tightened them all a bit more. definitely not all the way, several threads were still visible ... but the tightness of the whole thing, i dunno it seemed way over the top to me. i guess thats the change they made i'm not sure.

Mine was pretty tight going on too, I'd imagine they all are

[ineedaname]

If that is the new versin, shouldn't we expect a better mount than before??

ineedaname: Is your heatsink loose?

I installed one of the two heatsinks and it is looser than a whore on a night out.

The reason I think it was so loose tho was cuz the screw's bottomed out before the bracket was even tight.

I ended up putting a peice of round foam under the bracket which helped a lot. The round foam is one of the ones u get from a blank dvd spool.

[xenoasd]

I installed one of the two heatsinks and it is looser than a whore on a night out.

The reason I think it was so loose tho was cuz the screw's bottomed out before the bracket was even tight.

I ended up putting a peice of round foam under the bracket which helped a lot. The round foam is one of the ones u get from a blank dvd spool.

ooo, whats ur temps with the foam under it? i have alot of those foam rings lying around..

[Eagleclaw]

Interesting idea, I was worried about using something like that, thinking the heat would affect it but I guess not.

I installed one of the two heatsinks and it is looser than a whore on a night out.

The reason I think it was so loose tho was cuz the screw's bottomed out before the bracket was even tight.

I ended up putting a peice of round foam under the bracket which helped a lot. The round foam is one of the ones u get from a blank dvd spool.

[cbutters]

I took a lot of your guy's ideas. ended up going with a washer that has a hole in it so the head of the screw holding the two together can fit down into the block.
Heres the article and some pictures:
http://www.exoid.com/?page_id=94

[crossg]

Just bought an ASUS P5K Deluxe board because my P5W DH would not allow me to OC my Quad past 3100Mhz stable. While switching boards I had to peel off the foam tape on the Ultra 120 backplate so I decided to add thicker denser foam 1/4' wide x 3/8' thick (weather stripping) which seems to work well and holds it tighter than stock. Only drawback is you have to hold it in place with the spring screws while mounting the Mobo. Still moves but you have to force it. Here are some temps while Folding @ Home for 7 hours.

[Prof_Chaos]

I used the old ultra 120 bracket that seems to work tight and well...i didnt even tried the original bracket of the extreme but i m now worried if i did wrong..
What do u suggest...is it wrong to use the ultras 120 bracket to extreme? thanks!

[Eagleclaw]

If it's tight and your temps are good I wouldn't worry at all what bracket you used.