These plastic brackets are used to secure components on a motherboard.
These plastic brackets are used to secure components on a motherboard.
Smaller coolers such as older models or those paired with Ahtlon CPUs are typically attached by removing screws. This applies mostly to standard coolers, except for basic ones, certain AMD stock units, and specific Ryzen 7/9 models with Wraith Prism/Max designs. In many cases, you can take these off from your motherboard. Note: The description was updated on November 24, 2019 by minibois, who didn't know about Max/Prism coolers using this method.
Which Ryzen processor model? Even the basic ones (1200, 2200G, 3200G) came with coolers that needed you to take them off. AM4 coolers were required for Zen/Zen+ Ahtlons, but Ryzen CPUs didn't have this feature.
Latest Wraith Prism coolers feature this particular mounting style, which is now common for all new Ryzen chips with built-in coolers. https://www.amd.com/en/technologies/cpu-cooler-solution
It makes complete sense. I was only aware of it through my 3900x. I didn’t check the 3600x, which means I’m right that not every new Ryzen chip includes the Wraith Prism.