CHROME ORB vs GLOBAL WIN FOP-32

[Alphathree33]

Hello everyone,

I'm helping a friend build a system this coming weekend. He's purchased a Chrome Orb for his Tbird 900 on an Asus A7V.

I've never installed a heatsink/fan before, and I didn't really think it was a big deal until I started hearing "Yeah, I broke my 1.2GHz because I put too much pressure on the core trying to get that darn second clip on."

THIS SCARES ME.

I don't want to break anything, yet I'm told it takes a lot of force. Has anyone here installed the Chrome Orb before? How long did it take/how easy was it? Considering I've never installed a heatsink before... would you recommend I try it?

Also, if anyone has any insight as to how the clips on the motherboard which attach to the heatsink work, I'd appreciate it. You place the heatsink on the chip, secure the left side, then the right side... but what is "securing" it? Does the clip need to be pushed down towards the motherboard, or up against the heatsink, or what? (Too bad I don't have a mobo and HSF I can look at right now.)

Is it pretty simple to install? (Ie place heatsink, flip clip, you're done.) Or tedious -- Place heatsink, wiggle first clip for five minutes, hope you didn't destroy your processor, figure out how second flip works, get an anvil to hold it in place (lol) and a screwdriver which just barely reaches the clip... you get the picture.

As I said the most I've done is installed PCI/AGP cards, RAM, and other components, so I'm looking for some advice/tips/personal experience here which might help me out.

Thanks.

 

[Alphathree33]

HELP!

 

[Evilmage]

sounds like you shouldn't be building a system, or at least stay away from overclocking

the clip you're talking about is a detachable clip that is used athlons or p3's. I forgot which one didn't need the clip however. All heatsinks are made secure. Meaning, you never just put it on top of the processor. They will come with a bunch of parts, make sure you use them all. You'll know it fits properly when you've used all the little parts and you can't easily detach it. Most of the time, they use either a screw, or a that bar thingie to hold them together. I know I'm not much help, but hey, it's a reply.

 

[Supradude]

if your worried about the pressure issue, fo a couple of bucks, around 8-10, get a copper shim that will distribute pressure better and protect the core a bit for when you are putting on the heatsink, another plus is that it dissipates a few degrees of heat more too, so, two pluses, no negatives, except maybe the cost...
in case you don't know where, 2cooltek.com has them for AMD's and P!!!'s

 

[Ulysses]

Some of the early Thermaltake "orbs" were notorious for leading to cracked flip chip CPU's if too much force was applied when trying to attach the clips. The later models, like the chrome orb, are less likely to causet problems since the clips have been modified.

It may help to carefully take the motherboard out of the case so you can more easily get at the CPU and cooler - use an anti-static strap for this to reduce the chance of other complications.

See this and this for some help.

 

[Soccerman]

yeah I have a Globalwin FOP-32, and it took an ENORMOUS amount of pressure to put it on my K6-2 CPU. of course, I don't think that it was designed with the K6-2 in mind. the K6-2 I think is a little bit taller then others, because of the metal plate that AMD puts on the top.

 

[Alphathree33]

Thanks for the "sounds like you shouldn't be building a computer" comment. LOL. That makes me feel a lot better.

Really though, the reason I'm asking about proccesor/heatsink installation is it's basically the only thing I've never done. I've disassembled CD-ROMs to fish out CDs, replaced the little fan on a Geforce2 GTS, set up surround sound speakers (Don't think this belongs on the list, you should see all the cords that come with 6 piece speakers =p) ... My philosophy usually is you can't learn unless you try. But none the less, I don't want to learn by breaking a proccessor.

Those two links that Ulysses put up where quite useful. From what I understand, the clip slides under the socket? In other words, you've just got to get the clip down and in far enough, and then let go, it will be locked into place?

Like this:

CLIPCLIPCLI
C
L SOCKETSO
IPCLIPCLIPC
SOCKETSK

or do I have this all messed up?

 

[Sunner]

Uhh, yeah if I'm reading your "drawing" right thats how it looks, basically the socket has sort of a hook on the edge, and the clip has the "ring"(though it square but you get the point).

So you hook it on and release and it should sit good.

Now I dont know how much force the ORB's take, but my FOP32 didnt take all that much force to get in place, while my FOP38 took a ridicilous amount of force to do so, I actually bent the screwdriver I used in the process!

But you should be fine as long you keep the sink somewhat balanced on the pads on the ceramic part of the CPU while working.

 

[DaddyG]

I think that Thermaltake simply screwed up bad with Socket A, wouldn't take one as a gift. Take a serious look at Taisol, especially the newer models. They use a clip that attaches to all three of the lugs on the Socket A, many hsf use only one lug which can break off under hihg clip pressure. Forget the copper shims, search the forums for other posts. You will not chip your cpu if you follow one simple rule, keep pressure on the hsf all the time to make sure that is sits flat against the core while you fasten the clip. Most damage is caused by tilting the hsf to get the fixed side attached and the rocking the hsf against the edge of the core while trying to attach the other side.

You could remove the fan, some people find it easier to attach this way and then attach the fan. Jonnyguru.com has some good instructions and photos.

 

[Howard]

Supradude, don't think that the copper shim will help any. The silicon that the core is on already has the 4 tab-looking things that already distribute pressure evenly. I trust AMD more than any manufacturer.

I don't know about the Chrome Orb; I've heard that it takes a lot of pressure to apply. But, with the FOP32, it's almost like hell. The clip is real stiff!

 

[Howard]

Supradude, don't think that the copper shim will help any. The silicon that the core is on already has the 4 tab-looking things that already distribute pressure evenly. I trust AMD more than any manufacturer.

I don't know about the Chrome Orb; I've heard that it takes a lot of pressure to apply. But, with the FOP32, it's almost like hell. The clip is real stiff!

 

[Caitiff]

Yucky

The spacer WILL help. It does not replace the spacers, rather it 'fills in' between them to get a perfectly flat surface to mount the hs on. I've already seen some testing that shows that the spacer can also help dissipate the heat from the chips, albeit not by a lot. I would highly recommend the spacer for anyone that hasn't experienced hs/fan mounting on an T-bird/Duron. Also, no-one mentioned that you can 'overflex' the clip some to release some of the ridiculous tension put on hs. I realize that the AMD specs show a rock crushing pressure to be necessary, but that was just to ensure that a good fit was made since the processor can literally burn up in seconds w/out a hs/fan attached. Alphathree33, don't worry dude, you'll be alright, as long as you don't get in a hurry and take your time. It's a really good idea to mount the processor BEFORE you mount the mobo, so you can hold it up to the light and check for a good solid mating between the processor and the hs. Happy 'puting!

 

[roc919]

I have the Chrome Orb / Thunderbird 900 / Asus A7v setup you are inquiring--just got it in yesterday. This Chrome Orb is b*tch to install as compared to the Golden Orb for the FC-PGAs--those who experienced both know what I am talking about. I think I "CLIPPED" the mobo a couple of times before I had it the Orb installed...but thats b/c of my ignorance -- KEEP READING..

Unintentionnally, I installed the Orb backwards, meaning that there is actual upright position. On the bottom surface of the orb is a copper square that should cover the four circles pads of the cpu if you installed it correctly. But my backward install had two of the pads visible. Of course, I discovered this ignorance only after my computer failed to boot up into windows -- it booted, but couldn't into windows. So I think I could have done some minor damage to my cpu. Or the booting problem could be an issue w/my motherboard...

So as a warning, be extra cautious when installing the Chrome Orb.

 

[Doggiedog]

I guess I got lucky on my first try with the FOP-32 but I'll relay what I did.

The damn clamp on my thing was so tight I was afraid I was going to break my chip in half so I unscrewed the fan off the top of the heat sink and took the clamp out. I then bent the clamp on a hard surface and tried refitting the HS until it was reasonably tight. I then screwed back the fan. Haven't had a problem since.

BTW: The clamp is a b!tch to bend.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

c-orbs are not really suitable for overclocking Athlon chips(unlike what the anandtech review states).

the fop32 will be a much better choice.



mike