Question How to mount Arctic Freezer II Rev 4 to MSI X570 Tomahawk motherboard ?

[bdice18]

I am starting to go crazy watching videos of people installing this CPU cooler without any issues. They use the 4 AM4 mounting screws included and they screw in perfectly to the backplate. But with me, they simply do not fit into my backplate. I have no idea what screw sizes both the backplate and mounting screws are because MSI and Arctic do not specify.

I think that the backplate is an M3 standoff, and the AM4 Mounting screws are 6-32 UNC, but I could be wrong. This is the most frustrating thing I've dealt with in my life as I cannot even use my PC without this AIO installed. I've spent nearly 20 hours already building this and this AIO was the very last thing I needed. Please help

 

[COLGeek]

Make sure the orientation of the brackets are correct.

https://support.arctic.de/en/lf2-280r4

 

[bdice18]

Make sure the orientation of the brackets are correct.

https://support.arctic.de/en/lf2-280r4

The brackets aren't the issue. It's the screws that do not fit into the backplate holes.

 

[COLGeek]

The brackets aren't the issue. It's the screws that do not fit into the backplate holes.

Understood. If not aligned properly, then I would imagine the screws could have issues fitting.

Are you using the original screws that were used with the AMD bracket or ones shipped with the AIO?

 

[bdice18]

Understood. If not aligned properly, then I would imagine the screws could have issues fitting.

Are you using the original screws that were used with the AMD bracket or ones shipped with the AIO?

I am using the ones that came with the AIO. I also tried to just put the screws in without the brackets to see if they fit and they do not. Is it possible the screws Arctic included are the wrong size?

 

[COLGeek]

I am using the ones that came with the AIO. I also tried to just put the screws in without the brackets to see if they fit and they do not. Is it possible the screws Arctic included are the wrong size?

That is certainly a possibility. Do you have the original screws? Have you tried those?

I assume you are referring to the screws that mount the brackets to the AMD backplate (using the provide spacers).

 

[bdice18]

That is certainly a possibility. Do you have the original screws? Have you tried those?

I assume you are referring to the screws that mount the brackets to the AMD backplate (using the provide spacers).

The screws that mount the brackets are referred to as "Screws (AMD Socket AM4)" https://support.arctic.de/lf2-240r4...NgY5JDDkkEZu8swxMkwLGxLwbNbkaJ8caAtsYEALw_wcB

The screws that hold the default motherboard mounting brackets do fit, but they are too short to use because of the spacers that need to be installed

 

[Tac 25]

if being too short is the issue, how about going to the local hardware store to see if they have longer versions of the screws of the default mobo bracket? Or your local computer shop might have some.

 

[bdice18]

if being too short is the issue, how about going to the local hardware store to see if they have longer versions of the screws of the default mobo bracket? Or your local computer shop might have some.

That is what I plan on doing after work. Hoping that the screws are the right size. If not, I'm just going to install the stock AMD cooler until I figure this AIO out.

 

[COLGeek]

The screws that mount the brackets are referred to as "Screws (AMD Socket AM4)" https://support.arctic.de/lf2-240r4...NgY5JDDkkEZu8swxMkwLGxLwbNbkaJ8caAtsYEALw_wcB

The screws that hold the default motherboard mounting brackets do fit, but they are too short to use because of the spacers that need to be installed

I am surprised that the original screws are too short. Those are usually longer than they really need to be.

 

[bdice18]

I am surprised that the original screws are too short. Those are usually longer than they really need to be.

The original screws are fine but the AIO mounting brackets require spacers to be installed so it sits higher up above the hole, thus requiring a longer screw

 

[COLGeek]

The original screws are fine but the AIO mounting brackets require spacers to be installed so it sits higher up above the hole, thus requiring a longer screw

Understood, 100%. Still, the AMD screws are typically longer than they really need to be. I have a container full of assorted screws, including long screws that came from AMD rigs that would very likely work in your situation.