[SOLVED] Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO X-Bracket screws too high to screw into AM3+ mobo? (Standoffs/Screws too short?)

[TheJeffster23]

I'm sorry if this should go into motherboards.

So I installed my CPU into this motherboard: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-ga970ad3p

I proceeded to install the Cooler Master's heatsink. It all went fine until I had to put the X-bracket invetween the heatsink and copper pipes and screw them into the holes of the Cooler Master backboard I installed onto my motherboard. I've confirmed that the screws are in the right position and the X-bracket is configured to fit an AM3+ motherboard.

However, when I begin to screw in one of the four screws, its opposite will raise quite a considerable level: http://i.imgur.com/XzLU4cH.jpg

At this point, I am unable to give this screw a few turns to secure it into the socket. I've tried repositioning the bracket and sliding the heatsink around on the CPU, but it never seems to work. I'm afraid of applying too much pressure and breaking something on the board.

This is slightly urgent because I applied the thermal paste and attached th actual heatsink about an hour ago and I have been trying to get it to work since. Any suggestions? (Sorry for lack of adequate tagging, I'm on mobile)

EDIT: I came back after a few hours of being occupied elsewhere. I think the issue has something to do with the elevation of the bracket after placing the heatsink on top of the CPU. I removed my original thermal paste and tried the bracket alone, as well as some different positions for the heatsink, and this seems to be the case. It would seem that I'd need to press down on the bracket as a whole while inbetween the heatsink and the copper wire plate in order to secure the screws into the standoffs, but I don't know how this can be done without deformity. See this image of one of the screws just hovering above the hole for reference; it's the same for all four: http://i.imgur.com/c32Q8al.jpg

 

[ShadyHamster]

How far are you screwing the other side down?
You only need to slightly screw down one side to get the other side on, some force maybe needed.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I haven't done a Hyper 212 in quite a while so memory hazy .... but I do frown a bit each time I am asked to install one. But speaking in a generic sense.

1. You are sure you are using correct parts
2. And correct orientation ?
3. Don't try and tighten the screws on the same side as per your picture. Go diagonally across the cooler.
3. the plastic washers were installed before affixing anything to MoBo ?

 

[geofelt]

With such a mount, you need to get all 4 bolts started before you tighten them. And... tighten a little bit at a time in a cross pattern.
If you have no more paste, it is ok to keep what you already have on if you need to restart.
The paste spreads only while under pressure and heated.

 

[TheJeffster23]

@ShadyHamster. I gave the opposite one about 3 turns of a screw, nothing too much.

@JackNaylorPE
1. I am using all of the parts included that the manual says to use for an AM3+ motherboard.
2. I am using the correct orientation as indicated on the manual.
3a. I am not screwing them in on the same side; the picture is showing the same result I get when I screw in the opposite screw.
3b. Which plastic washers are you referring to? Neither in my motherboard, CPU, or cooler cases have I found any sort of washer.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

3b. Which plastic washers are you referring to? Neither in my motherboard, CPU, or cooler cases have I found any sort of washer.

Have had a few users come in with broken MoBos where they overtightened a Hyper 212 and cracked or warped the MoBo. And given Haswell's proclivity to produce large amounts of heat with just small increases in OC, have of late been recommending users invest in the $65 Phanteks to get that extra 0.1 Ghz. So given that last one I installed was 18 - 20 months ago, I haven't used a Hyper 212 in ages .... the spare that I always kept here for emergencies, my son sold a few months ago on Craig's List. So memory as to what's in the kit has long ago faded and that was why I said "speaking in a generic sense"....

Some manufacturer's kits have have washers.....some don't. In fact after thinking about those rebuilds while typing and asking my son who helped, he said 2 of the rebuilds had washers and the other one didn't ...perhaps the regular 212 has the washers and the EVO does not ? I do remember on one install, I stole a few from my tool box when reinstalling. I dunno if the kit didn't come with them or the user lost them cause when it got here was just a box of parts. The idea of tightening a metal standoff onto a PCB with underlying circuits w/o any protection gave me the eebie-jeebies. Maybe the reason I didn't have any issues was the washers gave me a bit more height ?

 

[TheJeffster23]

Problem looks to be solved. I was just not applying enough pressure to the screws to get them situated.

 

[459pm]

Yeah, you have to push really hard. On my first PC build I was afraid to push down on the processor at all, but I soon found that you've really gotta lock that thing down damn tight for it to work correctly.

 

[Endril546]

Not a solution but just adding a little bit of experience I broke my motherboard by over tightening the screws didn't happen straight away but caused the motherboard to crack. I would recommend placing thin washers so as to spread the force only needed on the top.