**Official DFI LanParty UT P35-T2R Review/Overclock/Guide Thread**

[kberguy1]

I have replaced the OEM heat pipe assembly on my motherboard with a Enzotech Sapphire SLI water cooled NB block and an Enzotech SLF-1 solid copper SB heatsink with fan. I have also modified a Thermalright HR-09 U MOSFET Cooler to mount over where the factory had an aluminum block (I believe this is the PWM area). I cut out the thermal tape as per Praz's suggestion in another post, and then used Arctic Cooling MX-2 thermal paste on the raised components, before mounting the MOSFET cooler to the motherboard through the OEM holes in motherboard.

Also note, those two long chips that were inset on the MB from the aluminum block are being cooled with Swiftech MC 14 copper ram sinks, so that should help. Also, I have two 120 mm Yate Loon Fans directing cool air in from the top of my case (across MOSFET cooler, CPU and NB water blocks, and memory slots), and a 120 mm Scythe SFlex SFF21E fan exhausting air just above where the MOSFET cooler and exposed resistors are located.

I believe this setup will cool very well, but there were a couple small items that were under the OEM aluminum block that are no longer covered. I believe they are resistors, but am not certain. My question is this, do I need a heat sink over the couple of resistors which are now open to the air (used to be covered by the aluminum block on top left corner of MB), or will my current air cooling suffice?

I just thought I should warn everyone that mounting the Thermalright heatsink caused my MB to die as soon as it was powered on. I heard a "zap", saw a small puff of smoke, and that was it. Note I used insulating washers on both sides of MB, so am unsure exactly what went wrong...

In any event, I am now waiting for a new DFI X38-T2R, which will be using the STOCK cooling over the PWM area. I hope my CPU/memory/video cards are ok, but as my other computer is a Apple, I am unable to test.

[Praz]

I just thought I should warn everyone that mounting the Thermalright heatsink caused my MB to die as soon as it was powered on. I heard a "zap", saw a small puff of smoke, and that was it. Note I used insulating washers on both sides of MB, so am unsure exactly what went wrong...

In any event, I am now waiting for a new DFI X38-T2R, which will be using the STOCK cooling over the PWM area. I hope my CPU/memory/video cards are ok, but as my other computer is a Apple, I am unable to test.

If you used it as shipped, lack of cooling of the PWM slave chips is why it died. Doesn't take but an instant.

The Type 2 is the one you need. The thermal tape can't be used as shipped. The SMD caps sit higher then the PWM slave chips. The thermal tape needs to be trimmed so that it doesn't cover the caps. Then the tape will also act as a spacer so that the heatsink clears the caps.

[Boyu]

If you used it as shipped, lack of cooling of the PWM slave chips is why it died. Doesn't take but an instant.

what type HR09 are u suggested to use with this board,HR09S/U?

[kberguy1]

If you used it as shipped, lack of cooling of the PWM slave chips is why it died. Doesn't take but an instant.

Actually, Praz, I used your suggestion and notched the tape around the raised metal caps. The thermal tape was covering the lower row of components that were closer to the rear of the motherboard. I used Arctic Cooling MX-2 thermal paste on the taller parts, as they had thermal paste originally anyway.

What I think happened is that I tightened the fasteners to a point where they made the layer of thermal tape too thin, giving a gap that the metal MOSFET cooler could short across. If anyone is going to mount these coolers with anything other than the push pins, I urge caution when tightening the fasteners. I know I learned an expensive lesson...

The good news is my DFI X38-T2R MB has arrived, although it might have to wait until next payday to get picked up. My future posts will mostly be on the DFI X38 thread. I hope to hear from a few of you there.

[Praz]

Actually, Praz, I used your suggestion and notched the tape around the raised metal caps. The thermal tape was covering the lower row of components that were closer to the rear of the motherboard. I used Arctic Cooling MX-2 thermal paste on the taller parts, as they had thermal paste originally anyway.

What I think happened is that I tightened the fasteners to a point where they made the layer of thermal tape too thin, giving a gap that the metal MOSFET cooler could short across. If anyone is going to mount these coolers with anything other than the push pins, I urge caution when tightening the fasteners. I know I learned an expensive lesson...

The good news is my DFI X38-T2R MB has arrived, although it might have to wait until next payday to get picked up. My future posts will mostly be on the DFI X38 thread. I hope to hear from a few of you there.

Although an excellent cooler, when used with these boards it is not a direct bolt-on application. Besides the component height issue and improper base length, extreme care needs to be taken when doing the actual mounting. As happened to you, a second chance will not likely be an option. When it's all said and done probably best to stick with the stock cooling solution.