converting heatsink from push-pin to screw mount

[Virtual Monkey]

Hey all, trying to replace the crap heatsink/fan in my parents' Packard Bell. The existing one is screwed to the motherboard, and most/all of the decent heatsinks on Scan seem to be push-pin.

Is there an easy way to mount push-pin coolers with screws? Or any decent screw-mount coolers you recommend?

Thanks for the help.

EDIT: Would a Xigmatek bolt-thru kit do the job?

[m4rtian]

That Xigmatek kit should do the trick, am planning on using it to convert my Freezer7 to bolt-thru.

[LuckyNV]

I used the Thermalright bolt thru kit for my bros OCZ heatsink that used push pins

[shadowmaster]

That Xigmatek kit should do the trick, am planning on using it to convert my Freezer7 to bolt-thru.

Do tell us if it works, I am considering doing the same with a spare Freezer7 I have.

[Pob255]

Yes it is very simple to do, you remove the push pins from the cooler, attach the back plate and screw the nuts down over the bracket that the push pins where originally in.
You just have to make sure you don't tighten the nuts too much and crack the motherboard.
However this is fairly hard to do, as a motherboard will start bending long before it cracks and most people would stop tightening when the motherboard starts bending, not keep going.

You don't even need a bolt through kit, just 4 bolts, 8 nuts, 4 springs and 12 (or more) washers.
Drop a washer onto the bolt, therad it through the hole in the motherboard, drop on a 2nd washer and screw on a nut untill it's tight and will hold the bolt in place.
Repeat for the other 3 bolts, then put the cooler on top (after removeing the push pins), now drop a spring, then a washer onto each bolt and finally a last nut.
screw down the final nuts and tighten them enough to start compressing the springs slightly, to hold it all in place.
You may need to skip the 2nd washer and nut depending on the clearence of the bracket and if so this become a bit tricky as you need to hold all the bolts inplace while getting the top nut on which can require more than 2 hands sometimes.

The biggest issue is getting the correct nuts, bolts, washers and springs.
This is where a bolt through kit comes in as that's already done for you, also they normally have a back plate that makes holding the bolts in place eaiser and helps spread the force over a larger area so there's less risk of damageing the motherboard.

[Lee H]

I've used the thermalright bolt-through kit (LGA775) on my arctic freezer 7 and it's a lot better connected now and has also lowered the temps by the odd degree or two.

Personally I hate the push-pins and always replace them when I can on peoples systems.

[Pob255]

I don't hate push pins, I've seen and used worse connection systems.
But I too find bolt through nicer, yes it's a little more fiddley at times and can take a bit longer to put on but it's not that hard, complex or time consumeing.

I just wish the Thermalright Ultima90 had a better bolt down retention system, wish they'd just used the retention kit from the Ultra 120 as it does fit and is much betterm or even sold it seperately.