EVGA 680i HSF compatibility

[Fenriss]

recently purchased the 680i and a QX6700. upon inspection, i noticed that the mobo has somethings (3 Circuit pieces behing the LGA775 socket - not sure what it is exactly) in the back that would cause the Backplate of certain Heatsinks (at least the 2 i own - TT XP120 and Zalman 9500) to tilt slightly.
i dont want to use the Retail Intel HSF as it looks weak and i also don't want to force the XP120 or Zalman because i might damage those things.
i suppose i could get some plastic grommits and use it as spacers for the backplate. or get a HSF that doesn't use a backplate.

anyway, i'd like to know what HSF EVGA 680i owners are using and what temps they are getting and OC'ing experience they are having.
thanks.

P.S.
don't you hate where the F'in place EVGA chose to put the Power, Reset, Ide.... connectors? my CoolerMaster ATC310 case barely fits.

 

[de8212]

I use the Tuniq tower but my temp readings are not that great. On my e6400 at stock speeds I am at 37-39C idle. Overclocked to 3.2GHz I am 49-51 on idle.

I need to go back in with some AS5 sometime in the future. I just hate it that I have to completely strip everything (except PSU) out of the case to remount it.

 

[Fenriss]

didn't the backplate give you problems? no matter how positioned mine there was no way that it was going to be flat. and because of it, i thought that there would be an uneven pressure from the HS and the CPU, causing the HS to underperform.
just got back from HomeDepot and bought some nylon washers. this should give me the clearance i need to mount the backplate flush to the mobo.

 

[Rike]

I have just the thread for you.

680i reference mobos & aftermarket coolers

I'm sure there's something useful there.

 

[de8212]

Originally posted by: Fenriss
didn't the backplate give you problems? no matter how positioned mine there was no way that it was going to be flat. and because of it, i thought that there would be an uneven pressure from the HS and the CPU, causing the HS to underperform.
just got back from HomeDepot and bought some nylon washers. this should give me the clearance i need to mount the backplate flush to the mobo.

MIne did seem to pull in one side better than the other. Maybe it is a hair uneven making the temps slightly higher. I'm gonna remount it eventually.
How exactly are you using the washers?

 

[orion23]

In my last built, I used a tuniq tower 120 and an e6400.

@ stock, I believe the temperature was 25 or so.

@ 3.2ghz 1.37V it was 32 Idle

@ 3.520 1.46V it's 41c idle 52 orthos load!

 

[Fenriss]

Originally posted by: de8212

Originally posted by: Fenriss
didn't the backplate give you problems? no matter how positioned mine there was no way that it was going to be flat. and because of it, i thought that there would be an uneven pressure from the HS and the CPU, causing the HS to underperform.
just got back from HomeDepot and bought some nylon washers. this should give me the clearance i need to mount the backplate flush to the mobo.

MIne did seem to pull in one side better than the other. Maybe it is a hair uneven making the temps slightly higher. I'm gonna remount it eventually.
How exactly are you using the washers?

used it between the backplate and the Mobo. it work well enough to mount everything nice and flat. had to use the Zalman because the XP120 was just too wide. haven't had time to power up. will do it tonight.

Rike -- thanks for the link. just as i thought, the Circuits ( or Components as 'Metal said ) is an issue.

 

[de8212]

Originally posted by: Fenriss
used it between the backplate and the Mobo. it work well enough to mount everything nice and flat. had to use the Zalman because the XP120 was just too wide. haven't had time to power up. will do it tonight.

I have an extral zalman 9500 that I am tempted to use instead of the Tuniq. The main problem with the tuniq is that the top of the heatsink hits the fan on the side window of my cae. I have a Thermaltake tsunami with a 80mm or 92mm intake fan mounted over the area of the processor. I thought about trying to find a thinner fan also.

 

[DoobieOnline]

I'm using the Thermaltake Big Typhoon (with backplate) on the 680i in an Antec Nine Hundred case and it works fine. CPU temps are 32C idle and 43C running Orthos (E6400 running 8x400 @ 1.3V). The backplate does cover a couple of chips on the underside of the board, but the foam piece you apply to the backplate provides cushion between the metal and the chips and it doesn't appear to be causing any problems. I had some money left over from a gift card and ordered the VX model of the Big Typhoon because it doesn't use a backplate and I prefer that setup along with the ability to adjust the fan speed.

So, the Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX is what I'd recommend.