Retention Bracket for AM2 Socket

Turns out the only thing that has stopped me to putting in my new processor is the fact that the heatsink fan that came with the processor can't sit properly. I had to remove the original manufacturer's processor cover and vent set up for the fan. Mind you this is for a Dell Dimension E521. Unfortunately I do not know the specific make for the motherboard. I don't know if it really matters in this case. I have the 4 screw holes that surround the socket for the processor. I figure this must be where you set up the retention bracket for the fan to sit. I've narrowed down my search to Retention bracket for AM2 Socket and it looks like it might be the one. I just needed a second opinion before I go ahead and buy it. Any suggestions for sites or any search engines that do a relative search to your PC? Thanks people!

Dell's suggestion is to reuse their mounting "shroud" as seen here:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/syst…s.htm#wp1490250

I take it from your post that the new fan will not fit in the "shroud"?

The "Four Holes" should indeed be for mounting.

Does the new Heatsink/Fan have "self-locking" legs? Or does in require a rear mounting bracket?

Can you post a link to the bracket you are looking at?

As that CPU is clearly listed for your model I would think there would not be much of an issue:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/syst…s.htm#wp1052310

Is there some reason you think that the old heatsink/fan in inadequate?



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I don't think anything is wrong with the fan. I says in the instructions the fan must go with the processor it came packaged with. In the diagram it shows how to remove the heatsink that came with the desktop originally. My AMD athlon64x2 duelcore has it's own fan that I have to use per instructions. Apparently if I don't use the heatsink fan it null and vois the warranty for the processor. So from the look sof it, the original heatsink must be removed. I'm not as sure about the fan since that isn't really in the way and probably can stay where it is, being in the front of the case where the grill or vent is.

These are the possible retention brackets I needed for it. The fan has two clips on opposite sides probably meant to latch on to the bracket itself. (without knowing too much)

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/a-amds…orm,1222-4.html

I guess all I really need is to know if I'm getting the right bracket for this heat sink fan.

The Dell Dimension E521 motherboard is Dell Part CT103 HK890.

The page prior to the one you link has the following:

The introduction of the Socket AM2 platform will also change the current cooler specification, forcing the cost of a new thermal solution on those Socket 754/939/940 folks willing to upgrade. The change does not affect the maximum dimensions of the mounting frame, nor the cooler, but it redefines the clamping mechanism. This is no issue for the big players (system integrators
and OEMs), but enthusiasts might have to throw their existing high-end cooling solution out of the window.

We were able to install a simple Socket 939 cooler, which should be possible with some products that are around. However, any cooling solution that has to be notgood directly to the motherboard definitely cannot be used any more, as there are now four rather than two mounting holes. Still we hope that high-end cooler vendors will offer modified mounting kits for their premium products.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/a-amds…orm,1222-3.html

Dell lists the E521 as an AM2 socket and you noted the four holes so the above should not be an issue.

I cannot say for certain but it looks like what you need. Note you will most likely need to remove the motherboard from the case as in most cases these brackets require a back plate to facilitate the fastening.


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Sorry to go back in to this folks. I found my mother board type and I ended up buying the AM2 retention bracket.


UW457 0UW457 is the model number for the motherboard

Unfortunately this did not end up fitting inside the motherboard. There was a couple motherboard components and parts that are too close to the socket. Not to mention the screw holes to mount the bracket are farther apart than I had anticipated, so the bracket I bought can't even mount to the motherboard.

At this point I'm wondering if I'm really even suppose to use the heatsink/fan that came with the processor will even fit now and if I should use the original heatsink assembly that came with the computer to begin with.

I experimented before I tried to run the processor without the heatsink/fan that it came with. It seems to work pretty well but I'm too worried to keep it in because I'm not sure if it will over heat or not. I didn't feel any serious heat coming from it, so it seemed fine, but didn't want to chance it. So i switched out the new one and put back the original I had.

So to narrow it down debating whether to: find the correct retention bracket (if it even exists for this motherboard)
:use the processor without the heatsink/fan it came with
: completely give up on the idea, considering it might not fit.

Any ideas what to do from here?


Oh, and if you need any more information, I can take pictures of my motherboard and the processor with the heatsink/fan if need be

In case my description of the product was no clear enough, I included this link of the processor I have.

http://products.amd.com/en-us/DesktopCPUDetail.aspx?id=34

As I mentioned in post #2 I see no reason why the stock heatsink/fan wound not be sufficient.

That CPU is listed as an option for that board so the original cooler should be sufficient.

Most Dell boards also have an automatic thermal shutdown to safe guard the CPU.

I'd try it and run a temperature monitor.

Be sure to use a cleaner and fresh application of TIM as noted here:

http://forums.whatthetech.com/Thermal_Inte…ial_t95526.html

Just saw this skipping through before I head to bed, so I haven't had time to research anything, but I thought it worth raising 1 point, more so as you have had the part confirmed as being fit for that build. The point is very simply this, are you sure you are trying to connect it the right way round ? It's not the first time I've heard of people moving capacitors etc (do NOT try this) which of course should anything go wrong your stuffed, but the main point is sometimes if you turn the component you will often find it sits better a specific way round, I remember my 1st AMD heatsink, didn't realise initially it had a specific way to sit, so the lip would fit the socket, so make sure it isn't something as silly as this, often it may not be obvious at a glance, so gently try it in different directions and see if that helps.

As you've seen, DELL likes to make proprietary parts in their computers. Use the old heatsink and fan. Don't keep wasting money on brackets that aren't going to fit in that case. Do you think it is by coincidence that you can't figure out how to get anything to fit in there? Ofcourse not. Dell doesn't want you to do that.

Well, been using the processor with the stock heatsink/fan for a few days now and seems to be working good. Had enough thermal cooling compound too thank god. I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary as far as over heating goes, looks like I'm all set. Thanks everyone for your advice on this issue!