CPU cooler won't attach to the motherboard

[ro55o]

Hi guys, wondering if you can help me with what to do. I bought the following cpu cooler from you

Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (H.D.T.) 120mm PWM Fan x3 Heat-pipe LGA775/K8/AM2 Cpu cooler Quad Core Ready

I received it on Saturday and proceeded to install it. It's a push pin install, just like the stock intel cooler, but anytime I tried to push the pins in another would pop out. So I couldn't get all four pins in and the heatsink seated correctly. I tried it several times but just wouldn't attach to the motherboard. I'm wondering if this is a problem with this specific cooler and if I could get a replacement to try. My invoice number is 00E1391724. Hope you can help, thanks.

[Ulti]

I don't think it's a problem with the specific cooler, it's just the Intel pushpins were designed to be like that, to be honest I really hate them and think they're a loada crud compared to the AMD stock cooler.

However, here's a tip on how to install it, make sure the pins are lined up with each hole and are at least half through. Push each one down a little bit and turn the nobs by 90 degrees. Push down with all your force on one and then the diagonally opposite one. Then see whichever one out of the 2 left are hardest to push down and push it in, leaving the hardest one for last. It takes quite a few tries with some coolers, especially the tower ones such as the one you have, I remember when I had my Akasa 965 I was sitting there for perhaps 20 mins pushing the stupid pushpins in and ended up with two sore thumbs after haha.

[BUFF]

Xigmatek do a bolt through adapter (crossbow) - it's far better than the crap Intel pushpin system.

[matty-hodgson]

Xigmatek do a bolt through adapter (crossbow) - it's far better than the crap Intel pushpin system.

QFT.
I've used a bolt-through on my TRUE and it's far easier than the pushpins.

[WhiteGiant]

Yeah, the bolts are much better on my TRUE.

Are you installing outside of the case? If not the pins may be hitting the mobo tray.

When I originally built this system I was using the Intel stock cooler, it took around an hour to assemble and about 2 hours to get the HSF on, never again will I use push pin.

[ro55o]

Xigmatek do a bolt through adapter (crossbow) - it's far better than the crap Intel pushpin system.

Thanks for your help guys

I'm liking the sound of the crossbow, think I'll get one ordered. I've never been a fan of push pin and always found it difficult fixing them to the motherboard. If I keep trying with the push pin I think I'll end up snapping my motherboard in half.

[Meaker]

You need to twist the pins, pull them out, twist them again to set them in the right position then push them in until the middle plastic pin goes through to about the same level as the clips it pushes apart to hold the cooler down.

[Madness_3d]

I've had cases on certain motherboards even with reference intel heatsinks where youve had to bend the entire motherboard to get the cooler attached. Are you trying to attach it with the board in a case or are you doing it with the board on a bench. I'd definately recommend taking the board out and putting the push pins through bottoms first and then the upper edge ones, not being afraid of bending the board ^__^

[ro55o]

I've had cases on certain motherboards even with reference intel heatsinks where youve had to bend the entire motherboard to get the cooler attached. Are you trying to attach it with the board in a case or are you doing it with the board on a bench. I'd definately recommend taking the board out and putting the push pins through bottoms first and then the upper edge ones, not being afraid of bending the board ^__^

I've tried it with both the motherboard in the case and out. Neither proved to really work. I've ordered the crossbow, so hopefully I'll be able to attach it with no problems tomorrow.

[ro55o]

Well a quick update. Fitted the crossbow to the heatsink and what a difference. Wen't on with no fuss and feels really sturdy. Thanks again everyone for the help

[rabbid]

Well a quick update. Fitted the crossbow to the heatsink and what a difference. Wen't on with no fuss and feels really sturdy. Thanks again everyone for the help

Yep the bolt thru kit is good, well worth it. IMHO it should definitely come as standard with any tower cooler.
Those pins can be a nightmare, and fitting outside the case makes the board bend horribly sometimes.