Help! CPU backplate is stuck in the middle - high temperatures.
Help! CPU backplate is stuck in the middle - high temperatures.
So, as many of you might know, I got a lot of fresh computer parts for Christmas. I upgraded my PC into a new case and added several improvements, including a Kraken X62 280mm all-in-one CPU cooler, which replaced my old Corsair H60 120mm AIO. Previously, I was running temperatures around 85°C on Prime95 with a 4.5GHz OC at 1.3V on my i7 6700K. After installing the new system and doing a stress test, I was surprised to find that my temps were almost the same—around 80-81°C in Prime95. Initially, I thought the pump wasn’t seated correctly, so I removed it to discover that only about 60-75% of the thermal paste had made contact with the CPU. The lower right part of the heatsink still had its thermal compound properly applied (as it was factory-applied). I’ve re-seated the cooler four times, but I still can’t get consistent contact.
My current case is the S340 Elite, paired with an Asus Z170-A motherboard (standard ATX). Unfortunately, the cutout for the CPU backplate isn’t large enough, and roughly half an inch of the backplate sits between the edge of the cutout and the motherboard. This seems to be contributing to my problem. I’ve experienced similar issues in my previous setup—both with my old and new motherboards—but it didn’t stop my AIO from seating properly.
I’m still unsure if this is definitively causing the temperature increase, but it’s clear it is. My fans are running and configured correctly, and the fan control software is set up accurately.
My main ideas for fixing this are:
1. Install a new motherboard with a CPU slot that fits the cutout.
2. Upgrade the case to have a larger cutout.
3. Use a tool to create extra space around the cutout, which would help free up room on the backplate.
I’m generally happy with my build, but this issue is really frustrating. It seems like even though I have everything set up perfectly, it’s still affecting performance. I’d expect NZXT to provide more room for such a basic ATX board. I was hoping to fix this without having to rebuild the whole system, but it looks like that might not be possible.
If anyone has suggestions or advice on how to resolve this, I’d really appreciate it! I’ll keep checking back on this post for updates and feedback.
Pictures (4 of backplate, 1 from front)
http://imgur.com/a/4tLAh
nice clean build, as seen in the second to last photo
are all the CPU block screws present?
if all four are there, the problem likely lies in not securing the block properly—using an X pattern.
nice clean build by the way
in the second to last picture
are all the cpu block screws in?
if all 4 are in then your issue is you aren't tightening the block down correctly—using an X pattern
all 4 screws are in, and I've tried re-seating the cooler four times now, screwing them in in an X pattern.
something still seems wrong because they screw down to a certain point and then stop.
they WILL NOT tighten further, yet the block isn't making full contact with the CPU heatsink.
my concern is the pressure from the cutout pushing the backplate forward, toward the block.
yet in that picture I can clearly see the top left screw is in further. when you tighten in an x pattern you don't tighten the first screw right down then move on to screw 3. you tighten 1 a little, move to 3, tighten a little more to 2, then a little more to 4, and keep repeating. if that's how you did it then I would take the motherboard out of the case and fit the cooler.
The picture shows the top left screw positioned further than expected. When tightening in an X pattern, you don’t tighten the first screw directly and then move on to the third. Instead, you tighten one slightly, then move to the next, continuing this process until you reach the fourth. If that’s the method, you might need to remove the motherboard from the case to install the cooler. Observing the screw through the hold reveals it isn’t as far as the others—it’s not making proper contact and is sandwiched by the backplate. I followed the X pattern as described, even re-seating it multiple times while the motherboard was still inside. You’re wondering if removing the backplate would help, and whether the threads or stripped condition on the backplate or standoff post could be the issue.
honestly, I'm not sure the sandwiching is important, but since you've tried many times already, I'd go outside the case. Once I do any block that screws down, I always check from the back—looking at the bottom end of the screws as you mentioned. All four should be close enough to the same distance in the screw hole thread; if they're all equally far, the block will sit perfectly flat.
honestly i'm not sure if the sandwiching is important, but since you've tried many times before, i'd do it outside the case. whenever i place any block that causes issues, i always check from the back—looking at the rear end of the screws as you mentioned. all four should be close enough to the same distance down the screw hole thread if they're equally spaced; then the block will sit perfectly flat. i'll try to re-seat it again in about an hour when i have time. thanks for noticing from the pictures and pointing out those small holes. i'll share the results later.
I understand, I always checked the screw ends and your messages really helped. I was starting to think I had the issue right away. After some more adjustments with this position, I believe I found the problem. The screw thread inside the bottom left corner of the backplate appears to be stripped. No matter which screw I try to insert, it stops halfway and doesn’t move. I even used pliers to force it, but it just got stuck and was hard to remove. But my old H60's standoffs fit through that hole! So I swapped all four with the H60’s standoffs and reinstalled her. For the first time, they were just a little tight—after removing them to check if the thermal paste spread evenly, it seemed to fit well, though it was still uncertain. But my temperatures stayed around 76-78°C during a 4.5gHz overclock in Prime95 under stress. Then I tightened everything fully again with the screwdriver. Still, it didn’t affect my temps much.
I double-checked the back of the screw holes from the other side—they were all flush and even.
Meanwhile, the experts at NZXT tech support came back after I provided them with pictures and a similar summary. Their solution was to run all fans at full DC power. That’s quite a change...
For now, I’m planning to follow this approach: the temps are stable enough to use the PC, but they’re not as low as they should be with a $160 AIO. If you have any other ideas, I’d appreciate it.
it's still an enhancement at least
check the temperatures while doing regular tasks since prime95 adds significant strain to the CPU compared to everyday use
and if you're using a version older than prime96—don't know exactly which one—it shows much higher temps than in earlier releases