Question Radiator mounting screws don't go all the way in

[Denam Pavel]

The screws that mount the cpu cooler radiator to the case don't go all the way in and there's quite a bit of space leftover. The cpu cooler is a Deepcool LS520 SE 85.85 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler and the case is a fractal design north. Here are some pics of the screws and the radiator imgur. PS: These are the screws that came with the cooler.

Any ideas? This doesn't seem normal. Extra question: I returned this cooler due to pump noise (they are sending another unit) I assume I should wipe off the remaining thermal paste with alcohol before mounting the new cooler right?

 

[Ralston18]

This cooler?

https://www.deepcool.com/download/pdf/LS520&720.pdf

(Confirm that I found the appliable user manual.)

Two immediate thoughts:

1) The cooler comes with multiple screws and screw sizes.

E.g. 240 mm and 360 mm. There could be a mixup.

2) The screws that were sent/provided are simply wrong. Size and/or quantities..

My suggestion is to carefully remove the screws and check the shapes and sizes per the User Manual - Pages 3 and 4.

If possible print out the instructions (at least in part) so you can layout screws and other parts to each page as applicable to ensure all fasteners match in shape, length, type, quantity, etc..

Check the replacement cooler kit very carefully.

Contact Deepcool as necessary to get the correct screws/fasteners.

= = = =

And yes, clean off the thermal paste prior to any do over.

 

[Denam Pavel]

If possible print out the instructions (at least in part) so you can layout screws and other parts to each page as applicable to ensure all fasteners match in shape, length, type, quantity, etc..

Check the replacement cooler kit very carefully.

Contact Deepcool as necessary to get the correct screws/fasteners.

= = = =

And yes, clean off the thermal paste prior to any do over.

Yes this is the correct cooler, from what I'm seeing the difference between the 240 and 360mm is the number of screws, meaning I would be getting more screws if I ordered the 360mm model, the number of screws seems to be correct for the 240mm model that I got.

Regarding the replacement unit's screws, the store told me they wouldn't send them since I didn't send the screws back. I'm not sure what to do at this point, contact deepcool?

 

[Paperdoc]

Maybe this is your issue. For MOST fans, the holes in the corners of the plastic frame are just straight-sided holes. They are NOT pre-threaded to match the screws supplied. It is INTENDED that you start each screw by hand, then with a screwdriver you turn it hard to force it to cut its own new thread into the plastic frame. Turn until the fan frame is pulled tight against the item it is being fastened to. At any later occasion when you remove and replace such a screw it will turn smoothly because now threads HAVE been cut into the plastic.

 

[Denam Pavel]

Maybe this is your issue. For MOST fans, the holes in the corners of the plastic frame are just straight-sided holes. They are NOT pre-threaded to match the screws supplied. It is INTENDED that you start each screw by hand, then with a screwdriver you turn it hard to force it to cut its own new thread into the plastic frame. Turn until the fan frame is pulled tight against the item it is being fastened to. At any later occasion when you remove and replace such a screw it will turn smoothly because now threads HAVE been cut into the plastic.

What do you mean by plastic frame? I believe the radiator is all metal. There seems to be a hole here in this metal part and it LOOKS to be threaded, there also seems to be a bit of a "hole" under it as if the radiator grill under it were split apart so a screw can go further in. So your advice would be to screw the case screws in harder? I'm just afraid of punching through the grill, I never used an AIO cooler before.

 

[Paperdoc]

I was a bit confused by your first photos, but the manual for this AIO system makes things clear. See pages 13 to 15 on mounting details.

From them it appears the system arrives with the fans already attached to the radiator with some long screws. And this is with the FANS on the SAME side of the rad as the two necks for tubing connection. But maybe those fans were NOT pre-mounted on the rad. NOTE that the screws you show in your photo as too long and sticking out are NOT involved in fastening the fans to the rad! The pics show the fans already fastened to the bottom of the rad as they are arranged. Those HOLES in the rad FRAME you show with screws in them are where some screws come in to mount the rad to a case frame opening.

In all mounting options the bolts that fasten the FANS to the RAD are the long ones labelled B in the first parts diagram.

What you do next depends on where in your case you intend to mount the rad and fans, and they show three options.

NOTE this for all three options. The rad always is mounted with the tubing and connection necks pointed INSIDE the case. It is normally advised that a rad and fans mounted in the FRONT panel be arranged with the fans as INTAKE units to blow or suck room air through the rad into the case. If you choose to mount in a TOP case panel, then these normally are as EXHAUST fans to blow or suck air from the case out into the room. BEFORE you start changing anything, look closely at those fans on their outer frames. Usually each fan will have TWO arrows on it. One points through the frame to indicate the direction of air flow. The other points around the frame to indicate the direction of fan blade rotation. You need to know the air flow for when you arrange the fans on the rad, according to where the complete unit is mounted (as above).

1. Rad mounted either in a case front opening OR in a case TOP opening, with the FANS on the INSIDE of the rad - that is, on the same side as the tubing necks. This arrangement does NOT appear to be shown properly in the manual. Whether front or top is chosen the case has an opening for fans or a rad , and around the edge of that opening there will be pre-drilled holes. When you place the rad on the INSIDE of the case with the fans in the INSIDE of the rad, they you use the eight shorter screws marked C. Insert them from OUTSIDE the case panel through the panel holes and then into the threaded holes in the RAD frame - those same ones in your photos - and turn them into the rad holes but ,as you say, NOT very deep. The thickness of the case panel (front or top) takes up part of the length of those screws.

2. Second alternative is for a similar mounting, but with the fans on the OUTSIDE of the rad. In this case you will not be needing the short C screws. Instead you will remove the long B screws already holding the fans to the rad - see p. 13. Then you position the rad INSIDE the case top or front panel BUT also must position the FANS between the rad frame and the panel so the fans are on the OUTSIDE of the rad. See p. 14. HERE is where you need to turn the fans the right way. IF you are placing this in the FRONT panel, the fans should suck room air in then blow it though the rad before it enters the case. IF you are top mounting, then those fans should suck air from the case and through the rad before blowing it out to the room. Either way, you must line up the holes in the rad frame with the holes in the fans and the holes in the case panel. Then re-use those long screws B to pass from outside, through the panel, through the fans frame holes, and into the rad threaded holes. Tighten moderately. This time they may turn into the rad frame holes less deeply because now they are going though one additional thickness - the case panel holes.

3. Third option outlined on p. 15. SOME cases actually have metal channels on the INSIDE of the front or top case outer panel. The intent appears to be that the rad can be mounted in that channel and fastened into place there with the short C screws. Then you place the fans on the outside of the case panel, lining up their holes with panel holes (if necessary) and threaded holes in the rad frame, and use those long B screws to fasten them into place. Again, make sure to point the fans the right way.

In all of these arrangements the screws that fasten the FANS into the RAD are the long B screws. In Option 2 above those same screws fasten everything together. In the other options you use the short C screws to fasten the rad to a panel, but those screws go though the panel thickness before turning into the rad frame holes. That's why they appear too long if you do NOT have them going though a panel.

 

[Denam Pavel]

I was a bit confused by your first photos, but the manual for this AIO system makes things clear. See pages 13 to 15 on mounting details.

From them it appears the system arrives with the fans already attached to the radiator with some long screws. And this is with the FANS on the SAME side of the rad as the two necks for tubing connection. But maybe those fans were NOT pre-mounted on the rad. NOTE that the screws you show in your photo as too long and sticking out are NOT involved in fastening the fans to the rad! The pics show the fans already fastened to the bottom of the rad as they are arranged. Those HOLES in the rad FRAME you show with screws in them are where some screws come in to mount the rad to a case frame opening.

In all mounting options the bolts that fasten the FANS to the RAD are the long ones labelled B in the first parts diagram.

What you do next depends on where in your case you intend to mount the rad and fans, and they show three options.

NOTE this for all three options. The rad always is mounted with the tubing and connection necks pointed INSIDE the case. It is normally advised that a rad and fans mounted in the FRONT panel be arranged with the fans as INTAKE units to blow or suck room air through the rad into the case. If you choose to mount in a TOP case panel, then these normally are as EXHAUST fans to blow or suck air from the case out into the room. BEFORE you start changing anything, look closely at those fans on their outer frames. Usually each fan will have TWO arrows on it. One points through the frame to indicate the direction of air flow. The other points around the frame to indicate the direction of fan blade rotation. You need to know the air flow for when you arrange the fans on the rad, according to where the complete unit is mounted (as above).

1. Rad mounted either in a case front opening OR in a case TOP opening, with the FANS on the INSIDE of the rad - that is, on the same side as the tubing necks. This arrangement does NOT appear to be shown properly in the manual. Whether front or top is chosen the case has an opening for fans or a rad , and around the edge of that opening there will be pre-drilled holes. When you place the rad on the INSIDE of the case with the fans in the INSIDE of the rad, they you use the eight shorter screws marked C. Insert them from OUTSIDE the case panel through the panel holes and then into the threaded holes in the RAD frame - those same ones in your photos - and turn them into the rad holes but ,as you say, NOT very deep. The thickness of the case panel (front or top) takes up part of the length of those screws.

2. Second alternative is for a similar mounting, but with the fans on the OUTSIDE of the rad. In this case you will not be needing the short C screws. Instead you will remove the long B screws already holding the fans to the rad - see p. 13. Then you position the rad INSIDE the case top or front panel BUT also must position the FANS between the rad frame and the panel so the fans are on the OUTSIDE of the rad. See p. 14. HERE is where you need to turn the fans the right way. IF you are placing this in the FRONT panel, the fans should suck room air in then blow it though the rad before it enters the case. IF you are top mounting, then those fans should suck air from the case and through the rad before blowing it out to the room. Either way, you must line up the holes in the rad frame with the holes in the fans and the holes in the case panel. Then re-use those long screws B to pass from outside, through the panel, through the fans frame holes, and into the rad threaded holes. Tighten moderately. This time they may turn into the rad frame holes less deeply because now they are going though one additional thickness - the case panel holes.

3. Third option outlined on p. 15. SOME cases actually have metal channels on the INSIDE of the front or top case outer panel. The intent appears to be that the rad can be mounted in that channel and fastened into place there with the short C screws. Then you place the fans on the outside of the case panel, lining up their holes with panel holes (if necessary) and threaded holes in the rad frame, and use those long B screws to fasten them into place. Again, make sure to point the fans the right way.

In all of these arrangements the screws that fasten the FANS into the RAD are the long B screws. In Option 2 above those same screws fasten everything together. In the other options you use the short C screws to fasten the rad to a panel, but those screws go though the panel thickness before turning into the rad frame holes. That's why they appear too long if you do NOT have them going though a panel.

Ok I see the source of the confusion from my original comment, I typed "fan" when I meant to type case (I already corrected the post), as you can see in the third pic, the fans are already mounted to the radiator with the long screws. So basically I should just screw the case mounting fans a bit further in? I will try that.

Thanks for the tips regarding the AIO fans, they are indeed top exhaust fans (with the 2 front case fans being intake), I have a few extra fans and I could put an extra exhaust fan at the back of the case, but I'm not sure if it will make that much of a difference.

 

[Paperdoc]

So if I understand, the system DID arrive with the fans already mounted on the rad on the SAME side as the tubing and fittings. It is installed in a case opening at the top with the fans blowing from inside through the rad to outside. You use the short screws C inserted from the outside through the case top panel holes and into the threaded holes in the rad frame.

From the manual it appears that one 120 mm fan in the rear panel is easy. To add a second it must be a smaller 80 mm fan, and it can be installed to take over the bottom 4 slotted covers for PCIe card slots, leaving you with only 3 to use. Not necessary, and MAY limit your use of PCIe slots.

Enjoy your build!

 

[Denam Pavel]

So if I understand, the system DID arrive with the fans already mounted on the rad on the SAME side as the tubing and fittings. It is installed in a case opening at the top with the fans blowing from inside through the rad to outside. You use the short screws C inserted from the outside through the case top panel holes and into the threaded holes in the rad frame.

From the manual it appears that one 120 mm fan in the rear panel is easy. To add a second it must be a smaller 80 mm fan, and it can be installed to take over the bottom 4 slotted covers for PCIe card slots, leaving you with only 3 to use. Not necessary, and MAY limit your use of PCIe slots.

Enjoy your build!

No, the fans did not come pre installed on the radiator, I installed them on the radiator with the long screws as you said, this is how it looked before I returned the cooler due to the pump noise: imgur. I think I won't even install the rear exhaust fan, the temps seemed fine when I had the system running, I don't think that rear fan will make a noticeable difference and I just want to actually quickly install the new cooler and finally start using the system again.

 

[Paperdoc]

You DO need the one 120mm rear exhaust fan in that case. I agree you do NOT need to add second (80mm ) rear fan.