No, you haven't removed the threads from the mounts on your NH-D15.
No, you haven't removed the threads from the mounts on your NH-D15.
I assembled the AMD 5900X PC today. While securing the NH-D15 heatsink, a click sounded when I tightened one of the mounting screws. (Clarification: this was during the screw process, not bracket installation.) Did I damage the unit? Was the screw stripped or the thread compromised? My pre-build bench test showed stable operation at 38-39°C in BIOS. Could the noise originate from the spring near the screw? What actions should I take?
You adjusted both sides gradually until you heard a click, which likely meant you reached the optimal position for better cooling without over-tightening. That click probably signaled you’d stopped moving further, ensuring the cooler stays in place without pressing too hard on it.
It would really help me if this turned out as expected. I’m trying to make sure I didn’t tighten it too much or damage anything, because it didn’t seem like I was pushing it too hard.
It seems the screws are turning smoothly with no issues. Noctua has a strong reputation for air cooling and doesn’t seem to cause CPU damage from their mounting setup. Their parts are made from durable materials, making it unlikely you’d need much force to affect them.
It seems the click likely came from a spring mechanism moving under pressure. The noise resembles a spring pen or similar device. To remove it, you'd need to turn the screw very hard, which can wear through soft metal over time. The experience feels like gradually loosening resistance until it becomes manageable. Not a break.
It seems the noise might be from the spring in the screw while turning it. Mounting the NH-D15 appears to be quite difficult. Determining the correct tightness is tricky because the two screws affect how firmly the cooler sits on the CPU. The manual suggests 0.6 Nm, but I don’t have a torque wrench.