CPU Cooler puts RAM under stress ( kind of )

[Oscar2603]

Hi!

I'm currently building a PC and I'm using High Profile Corsair Vengeance and an aftermarket CPU Cooler but I have a problem, well two actually. The fan is a bit large and very slightly bends one of the RAM sticks (only slightly though). Will this damage the RAM or will it be okay?

My 2nd question is that the little spiky things on the bottom of my mobo are bent and to be honest I have no idea what they are.

Thanks for any help!

Oscar

 

[USAFRet]

What cooler is it? Often the fan can be moved a little to compensate.

What do you mean 'little spiky things'? The ends of the leads on various components?

 

[Oscar2603]

It is an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro. + ^ Sorry I phrased it wrong, the tiny spikes on the other side of the mobo as they are bent from lying on the box it came in.

Thanks

 

[c_for]

As long long as they are short enough that none of the spikey things(solder) is coming into contact with anything else metal you are fine.

But fyi, if they are making contact with anything else it WILL cause something to not work and could cause permanent damage. Now that i've frightened you, keep in mind that they are usually short enough that that would be impossible. But if you could take a photo it would help.

 

[Oscar2603]

This is the RAM being slightly bent by the CPU Cooler

Far side of the mobo: (Very sorry for Picture quality as my phone is very outdated 😛 )

 

[USAFRet]

It appears that fan mount is very similar to the Coolermaster Hyper 212 series. Held on by clips instead of screws. You should be able to slide it up just a little to clear that RAM.

 

[Oscar2603]

Unfortunately they are made of rubber and don't move the fan at all. 🙁 I've asked one of my friends and he said taking the heat-spreaders of the RAM will work but if the memory ever breaks won't the warranty be gone?

Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

What do you mean made of rubber?

The fan is mounted to the black thing with the two tabs. The tabs hold it on to the fins.
Correct?

Unclip it, and reclip it on at a slightly higher altitude, above the RAM.

EDIT: From looking at closer pictures on Amazon, it appears the fan mount with the two clips is actually molded over the fins just a little. And as such won't be able to move up without surgery.

 

[Oscar2603]

I tryed moving the clips but the tabs go along the bottom and top of the heatsink so they wont budge at all. I could remove my fan and place it another direction or should I remove the heat spreaders on the RAM? Its my first build so I'm scared to death of doing anything that could wreck the CPU, Mobo or RAM.

Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

I'd be more worried about the stress on the ram chip. Constant (but slight) vibration from direct contact with the fan can't be good for it or the slot.
And if you ever want to use the other two RAM slots, you're screwed.

Put the fan on the other side. See if your temps change any. I'd wager not more than a couple of degrees if that.

EDIT: fan on the other side in a PULL direction.

 

[Oscar2603]

Thanks! I haven't actually started the pc for a test boot or even put in the GFX or in the case yet so heres to hoping it works! I'm going to put the cooler in the position where the fan itself faces out the rear of the case (which is what I think you meant by pulling heat ) and puts the heat in on the RAM which should work since I can keep the heat-spreaders. Since the CPU Cooler is already in place will I need to reapply my own paste or can I leave it on the CPU and fan.

P.S I don't have any of that rubbing alcohol so what will I use to remove the paste off the CPU and fan if I do?

Thanks a million too!

 

[USAFRet]

If all you do is remove the fan, and don't disturb the actual cooler, then no, you don't have to do anything with the paste.
If you remove the cooler, then yes. Clean off the old, reapply, reinstall.

Yes, that is what I meant...the fan blowing out towards the back of the case.

 

[Oscar2603]

The otherside of the heatsink is rounded so I'll have to take off the cooler itself, what do you think I should use for cleaning of the paste?

Thanks

Edit: Any sort of alcohol is out of the question as in Ireland any form of alcohol over 75% has to be bought in chemists and or from a doctor prescription.

 

[USAFRet]

The otherside of the heatsink is rounded so I'll have to take off the cooler itself, what do you think I should use for cleaning of the paste?

Thanks

Edit: Any sort of alcohol is out of the question as in Ireland any form of alcohol over 75% has to be bought in chemists and or from a doctor prescription.

The 70 or 75% should be fine.

 

[c_for]

The picture is a little rough but from what I can tell it doesn't appear as though they are making contact with anything else. Actually it looks like they are intentionally bent like that at the factory so that there is no risk of them touching the case under your mobo. I was initially picturing a much longer piece of solder.