2. Computers

Fixing Things

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The fan faces my video card (not installed) because it provides more clearance between the heat-sink and the video card.<br /> I purchased this Extreme Spirit II Universal Northbridge Chipset Copper Heatpipe Cooler for about $25 from Microcenter.<br /> Mfr Part #: CL-C0034
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The fan faces my video card (not installed) because it provides more clearance between the heat-sink and the video card.
I purchased this Extreme Spirit II Universal Northbridge Chipset Copper Heatpipe Cooler for about $25 from Microcenter.
Mfr Part #: CL-C0034

20061126145627northbridgefan

  • The Northbridge fan failed on my Asus A8N5X Motherboard.
  • There are two black pins holding the fan in place. You can cut them off (I don't recommend it) or you can pinch the clips from the back side of the motherboard and push them through.
  • This is how the pins look from the back. Squeeze them together using needle-nose pliers and push them through. It helps to hold the fan against the motherboard when you do this.
  • After pushing the black clips out, the fan is still stuck to the motherboard with the heat sink compound. Although the fan has four internal screws, do not bother to remove them. This releases the fan inside the cage, which is not helpful; oops!
  • Immediately after removing the fan. There is heat sink compound everywhere and a black spongy material covering the underlying board (and plastic over the green board). Although I cleaned the chip, I probably should have left this black spongy material in place.
  • (1) I removed the thin plastic cover sheet from the heatsink. (2) I added arctic silver heat sink compound to fill in the cracks, exactly as if I was dealing with a high-end CPU [you will probably NOT do this]. (3) I added the white spongy ring to protect the chip board (as per the instructions).<br /> I purchased this Extreme Spirit II Universal Northbridge Chipset Copper Heatpipe Cooler for about $25 from Microcenter.<br /> Mfr Part #: CL-C0034
  • I used arctic silver after cleaning the chip with acetone and 100% alcohol (I did not get any on the non-chip portions). You will probably just use the compound included with your heat-sink.<br /> Notice that screws now protrude through the motherboard where the black plastic tabs used to be. Also note that I used the orange/red insulators on front and back (as per the instructions).<br /> BONUS: Now I can replace the fan without removing the motherboard from the case.
  • The fan faces my video card (not installed) because it provides more clearance between the heat-sink and the video card.<br /> I purchased this Extreme Spirit II Universal Northbridge Chipset Copper Heatpipe Cooler for about $25 from Microcenter.<br /> Mfr Part #: CL-C0034
  • You can see my 4GB of RAM in the background.<br /> I purchased this Extreme Spirit II Universal Northbridge Chipset Copper Heatpipe Cooler for about $25 from Microcenter.<br /> Mfr Part #: CL-C0034
  • The fan is held very nicely in place. My north bridge chip hovers around 78 to 82 degrees Farenheit. In comparison, my CPU is around 84, the MB 95, and my graphics chip around 113. These numbers go up if I stress the system.<br /> I purchased this Extreme Spirit II Universal Northbridge Chipset Copper Heatpipe Cooler for about $25 from Microcenter.<br /> Mfr Part #: CL-C0034
  • The screws holding the new fan from the back. The black pins used to stick out here.
  • After installation into the computer. The video card is in front of the CPU; there is plenty of room to spare.
  • I LOVE this Antec case. The hard drives and the power supply are on the bottom (see right) so that their heat stays away from the CPU and other items. The CPU is on the left with two additional fans pulling air over the CPU and my 4GB of Crucial memory.
  • This is a close-up of a pin after it has been removed. The pin is not damaged and may be re-used.
  • The clip contains a spring, I compress the spring here using my fingernails.
  • This is my Casio MTG910DA-1V, which is able to set itself. I love this watch. I did need to resize the band, however. It was not that difficult to do. It took me about 30 minutes to remove a few links and put things back together. I was thinking that even after more than 2.5 years, this watch is still in great shape. Although I have owned many watches in the past, this is by far my favorite watch.
  • This is my Casio MTG910DA-1V, which is able to set itself. I love this watch.
  • To remove a link, you must stick a small jewler's screwdirve where the arrow is on the band. I pulled a plunger connector on the right. The part closest to us pushes in (the tube is hollow and it has a spring).
  • Stick the screw driver (if you can) between the two ridges and push the piece into the hollow metal body so that you can pull the links apart. Although it is not shown, when in place, the pin will stick out the right side as well.
  • This shows where you must stick the screw driver. Notice that there is an arrow on the band pointing to the spot.
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