Basic installation guide for four-bolt CPU blocks

[Pug]

This operation tends to necessitate removal of the motherboard (although I've known people to modify their motherboard tray to allow access to the rear of the mounting holes while the board is in situ).

It's a case of personal preference (and faith in your hose and fittings choice) as to whether or not you do this stage with hoses attached or connect them afterwards but that's a point for separate discussion, so here I'll be using a bare block to illustrate correct mounting procedure.
I generally use push-fittings which allow you to connect the hoses afterwards much more easily but this block just happened to have 15mm barbs attached in this particular shot (which I'd be inclined to attach hose to first, generally).

Ok, on to the nitty-gritty. Take the four bolts, eight plastic washers (if supplied - some blocks vary) and four locknuts...

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/cpuInst1.jpg


...and mount them through the board like so (sequence from bolt head would be head -> washer -> mobo -> washer -> nut -> exposed threaded portion)

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/cpuInst2.jpg


Install your CPU and apply your preferred TIM (I'm using AS5 here, as I expect to transfer this block to another system soon. Phase change pads are probably a better bet for long-term use).
NB. If your ZIF lever happens to foul one of the locknuts, you can slacken off this bolt and retighten after CPU installation.

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/cpuInst3.jpg


Remove the protective covering from the base of the block and place it in the orientation that best suits your planned hose routing, together with the mounting plate to ensure correct block location.

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/cpuInst4.jpg


Slide the remaining four washers (if supplied) down against the plate...

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/cpuInst5.jpg


... and follow them with the springs.

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/cpuInst6.jpg


Add the thumbnuts last and spin them down the threads to sit atop the uncompressed springs.

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/cpuInst7.jpg


From here, tighten a diagonally opposite pair by half a turn and subsequently, do the same with the other pair.
Repeat as necessary until you begin to feel resistance and then apply 1/4 turn to each single bolt in turn, in a figure of eight pattern until a light grip means that your fingers begin to slip and the spring appears almost fully compressed without any distortion (such as bowing to one side).
If you hear a crunch, you may have gone too far... ;)
Back off a quarter turn on each one after this and you're set.
NB. This is a rough guide - individual blocks may have their own tolerances and installation requirements.
[Edit] NB. Upon checking the official Aqua Computer documentation, there should be enough of a gap in the spring to slide a piece of paper in & out.
Always refer to manufacturers' install guides in preference to this one.

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/cpuInst8.jpg


Job done. :)

[Starbuck3733T]

hear hear! the process is much the same for the dangerden 4 bolt setups (like my IC7 + P4 combo). Good stuff pug!

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

I just need to buy a motherboard, CPU and block that use mounting holes and i'll be all set to try this out! :D

Serioulsy though Pug, nice and concise guide!

[Pug]

Cheers guys. :)
The pics have been sat in my camera for a fortnight, I've just been trying to find time to type it up. I got carried away with this and my stealth-mod guide though and missed my dentist appointment this afternoon by the time I realised what time it was. :o

[fillip]

Originally posted by Pug@Apr 1 2004, 07:21 PM
:o
and as a result of missing that appointment all your teeth fell out... yes?

:D

[Pug]

Lol! Only the ones behind the mask, so it's not so bad. :lol:

[fillip]

LOL.

[Darv]

Very good guide there! Much easier to understand than some of the translated instructions you can get.


Oh, and I had to go to the dentist todays aswell. Nearly forgot with all my coursework I had to do :lol:

[alexwilks88]

How does this work on a SoA CPU? I'm sure they don't have 4 holes in the mobo, and I wanted to build my own block, but wasn't sure about how to fix it? Any help appreciated :)

[Pug]

Hi Alex. Welcome to WizD. :cool:
How does this work on a SoA CPU? I'm sure they don't have 4 holes in the mobo, and I wanted to build my own block, but wasn't sure about how to fix it? Any help appreciated :)
Well, this was the 4-bolt guide... there is a tab mounting option available which just uses a different clamp.

For your DiY route, I do have some hold-downs -
http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/imgs/_12600.jpg (http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/imgs/12600.jpg)

(I thought I'd put 'em up on the site with the DIY block stuff but no matter, I'll add them in due course.)

The guide was mostly to illustrate the assembly involved. If there's demand to, I can add pics of the Socket tab fitting one. :)

[alexwilks88]

Thanks v.much Pug! Just wandering, how much would one of those things cost?

[Pug]

£6.50 last I checked. Cheap & cheerful. :)

They're only thin metal by comparison to the hold-downs you get with the production blocks I do but can be easier than making your own at that price.

[alexwilks88]

wow, that's cheaper than I expected (not suggesting you raise the price btw :p). Cheers!

[Pug]

Np. :D

[Fibbles]

I am insanely glad I found this forum. :)

[cobalt6700]

ummm, relating to another problem, will that clamp fit a maze 3?

[Leeum]

ummm, relating to another problem, will that clamp fit a maze 3?

I doubt it. You'll need the Danger Den Maze3 socket hold down which uses the tabs on the CPU socket rather than bolts :thumb:

[Pug]

I doubt it. You'll need the Danger Den Maze3 socket hold down which uses the tabs on the CPU socket rather than bolts :thumb:
He means the clamp at the bottom of the page Leeum, not the top.
I don't have a Maze for reference but can swap dimensions with you if it'll help. :-)