Here's the deal folks:

I'm biting the bullet and getting a new motherboard - the intel 955X chipset's holding me back (especially with my DDR2 800 RAM in there) It gets hot too - average temps are a couple of degrees lower than the CPU!


I'm looking at getting an Asus P5WD2-E motherboard but want to know if I'll be able to watercool the northbridge using my current setup.



My current board has mounting holes around the NB chip where I can insert bolts to mount my waterblock:


On the Asus though, it appears that the board uses a clip mechanism instead:



Is there anyone out there that can either post some pics or let me know if this will work - or do I have to MacGyver up a new retention system?

MacGyver. Not what you wanted to hear, but ya, I did an install w/one of those and there are loops soldered to the mobo and the sink attaches to that. Maybe you can get a eye loop (with a threaded end for a nut) and hook it to the mobo. slide the threads through and put on a spring from a pen followed by the nut. That way it will have some cushion to it.

Or you can do something else. Your a pretty smart guy, you can MAKE IT HAPPEN! Good luck!

Thanks dude

Yeah - not ideal, but I'll make a go of it

I just found this image of a corsair Nautilus kit that looks like it has a bolt mounted block on the board:



Nice to know it can be done

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If you think the 955 runs hot, the 975x is even worse, I have seen passively cooled 975X chipsets with a 80mm fan over it to cool it that runs between 55-60 on IDLE. I know my 975X also puts out some serious heat.

Yikes!
Yeah the 955 runs 1-2 degrees cooler than the CPU temp on my current board

Just found my MacGyver solution too:

Quote: Originally Posted by Radiical Computing In our testing we have found that with a small modification the block mounting screws can be easily modified to suit either mounting system. To modify the mounting kit all that is required is simply to bend the retaining screw into a hook shape. Shown below is the type of modification that can be done to adapt the chipset block. In the picture above the hooked retainers have been made to adapt an Asetek chipset block

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The only way that could be easier is if someone came to your house and installed it for you. Good find! I figured with the number of Asus boards with that sink setup (my server has the same thing) that somone had to have a fix already. Good luck with the temps!