Question Arctic LF3 Intel contact frame ?

[Assaf Patishi]

Hi everyone,
I ordered the 420mm variant and should get it soon. I watched every possible video on Youtube and I feel pretty much ready to install it on my intel CPU.
In my 10 years of building PCs This is the first time I remove the stock ILM, and I wouldn't lie.. I am a little nervous. The process look pretty easy and straightforward but the part that worries me is the tightening of the screws. In gamer's nexus video they said it should be "snug". I guess I should stop turning the screws in the first resistant point? or maybe I should give it another little twist right after this (extra snug)?
I don't want to have any issues with bad contact or too much pressure that can lead to stability issues.

Any of you have experience with this specific cooler?

 

[Lutfij]

Yes snug is the term Mike used;

View: https://youtu.be/zfffNRTOZCc?t=1257

pay attention to the screw driver and how far it turns...it shouldn't be forced on. At the sign of slight resistance, you should stop.

 

[Assaf Patishi]

Yes snug is the term Mike used;


pay attention to the screw driver and how far it turns...it shouldn't be forced on. At the sign of slight resistance, you should stop.

Yes, this is what I plan to do. When I'll feel the slightest resistance I will stop turning the screw.
I'm just afraid that it won't be tight enough. I also saw some other reviewers that gave the screws another little twist even after the frame was already engaging the motherboard.

 

[CountMike]

Yes, this is what I plan to do. When I'll feel the slightest resistance I will stop turning the screw.
I'm just afraid that it won't be tight enough. I also saw some other reviewers that gave the screws another little twist even after the frame was already engaging the motherboard.

That's nothing different from other sensitive machinery. Those are small screws going thru or thread into plastic . Don't use screwdrivers with thick handles, torque could be deceiving. I always use screwdrivers with handles only twice that of the shank for sensitive equipment. I also found many times factory tightened screws so much they were very difficult to unscrew and still no damage to threads. Stopping at just slight resistance is not reliable as small screws and fine threads have little tolerance in sizes so they can present resistance even when they are not bottomed properly and therefore still loose.

 

[Assaf Patishi]

That's nothing different from other sensitive machinery. Those are small screws going thru or thread into plastic . Don't use screwdrivers with thick handles, torque could be deceiving. I always use screwdrivers with handles only twice that of the shank for sensitive equipment. I also found many times factory tightened screws so much they were very difficult to unscrew and still no damage to threads. Stopping at just slight resistance is not reliable as small screws and fine threads have little tolerance in sizes so they can present resistance even when they are not bottomed properly and therefore still loose.

So what are you saying exactly? That I should keep tightening the screws more?

 

[CountMike]

So what are you saying exactly? That I should keep tightening the screws more?

Yes, more than you suggested, when you feel it bottoms. give it 1/4 to 1/2 turn.

 

[Assaf Patishi]

Yes, more than you suggested, when you feel it bottoms. give it 1/4 to 1/2 turn.

I guess another 1/4 turn won't hurt anything.. But this is exactly what I am talking about.. this subject is so sensitive that nobody really knows the "Truth". different opinions. I would like some engineer from intel or motherboard manufacturer that can say in confidence what is the absolute correct way to do it.

 

[CountMike]

I guess another 1/4 turn won't hurt anything.. But this is exactly what I am talking about.. this subject is so sensitive that nobody really knows the "Truth". different opinions. I would like some engineer from intel or motherboard manufacturer that can say in confidence what is the absolute correct way to do it.

Because of manufacturing tolerances and different materials it's difficult/impossible to know exact pressure, For instance, when they started with aluminum heads on engines, instructions for torquing them were to use torque wrench as usual and than give them another part of a turn.

 

[thestryker]

Using a contact frame isn't in line with Intel or motherboard manufacturers specifications which is why you'll never get "instructions" for it. From what I've seen and read the Arctic frame is very similar in installation to the Thermalright where there is not adjustable tension. The only one I've personally used is the Thermalright frame and I just tightened it down alternating corners like I would anything else making sure all 4 corners were even.

 

[Assaf Patishi]

Using a contact frame isn't in line with Intel or motherboard manufacturers specifications which is why you'll never get "instructions" for it. From what I've seen and read the Arctic frame is very similar in installation to the Thermalright where there is not adjustable tension. The only one I've personally used is the Thermalright frame and I just tightened it down alternating corners like I would anything else making sure all 4 corners were even.

Did you do the extra 1/4 turn? or did you stopped turning the screws right after you felt them engaging the motherboard?

 

[thestryker]

Did you do the extra 1/4 turn? or did you stopped turning the screws right after you felt them engaging the motherboard?

I do it based off of tension feel which is why I didn't give any specific recommendation since that isn't necessarily helpful. There isn't a hard and fast "tighten this amount" as everyone does it differently. Snug is honestly the description I'd use as well since that's what you're looking for.

 

[CountMike]

You can also go crazy like this
https://www.amazon.com/VANPO-Digital-Display-Torque-Screwdriver/dp/B09YTS1Y6C?th=1
And experiment

 

[Assaf Patishi]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
I just installed this today, in the end I decided to go for the minimum resistance. I used a very small screwdriver (with a small Phillips head) I used only one hand and stopped turning the screws when I felt the slightest resistance.
When I removed the stock intel ILM, I noticed that it was screwed down very lightly, the screws came out with the slightest touch, so I thought that maybe it would be best to do the same with the Arctic frame.
I still have doubts if maybe I should have tighten down just a little bit more.. but it is what it is.. I am not gonna remove the cooler, and so far things are ok.. temps are fine and no issues with instability.

But I wonder.. if the contact frame would not be installed correctly, than I would get errors and such?
I guess what I am asking is: can I be certain that everything is ok by the fact that everything is working correctly?

 

[thestryker]

If it wasn't installed correctly you very likely would have issues due to improper tension.