Consider a scenario where a person bought a new computer system cooler after much research and thinking. The trouble is they cannot find a way to fasten the CPU cooler. That’s why today we are discussing what you should do if you think a CPU Cooler won’t fit the motherboard. The issue happens on the off chance that the CPU cooling fan isn’t compatible with the main board. Notwithstanding, as the CPU fan plays a prominent role in reducing the processor’s temperature, you must fit that onto the motherboard. Therefore, there are a couple of potential situations where the CPU may not work with the motherboard. But, first, we will know how you exactly realize that your CPU cooling fan isn’t fit when the solutions come to settle the issue.
There are different types of CPU coolers. For example, you may intend to put an air or liquid cooler on your motherboard. Whatever it is, you first need to notice why your CPU cooler does not fit. Once you know the reasons, the solution we will provide here will significantly help you. We list a few principal reasons why the CPU Cooler does not screw properly:
The first and foremost reason for the cooler not getting over the motherboard is that your setup has a fault. After plenty of investigation, we realize that individuals who do not set up the fan deal with the issue of the CPU cooler not fitting. Thus, you ought to have the option to install the CPU cooler; whether it is an Air cooler or the AIO cooler, some unacceptable installation processes will create a lot of trouble.
The most well-known justification for CPU coolers not tightening is either that the backplate has not been put correctly or because the backplate has fallen off. If you had positioned yourself perfectly, you could have used the wrong screws for the installation. It is nothing to stress over as you are not the only one confronting this issue. Many individuals encounter the same problem when installing new coolers in their system units.
The backplate keeps the weight of the CPU cooler and preserves the cooler attached to the motherboard behind the processor. Unfortunately, the Central Processing Unit has more excellent screws in the backplate’s holes. So, if there is any loose connection between the backplate and the cooler, the cooler usually will not fit.
While purchasing the AIO cooler, you should take extra caution with the size and the compatibility. For example, it may not be possible for you if the CPU cooler remains inconsistent with the motherboard. In addition, sometimes, the CPU cooler will stay unfit if the heatsink size does not sit behind the motherboard. Thus, it would help to assume that you picked the appropriate CPU Cooler for your motherboard.
Now, we have come to the part of solutions. So, let’s know how to eradicate the causes you have identified.
Installing a screw in the cooler and attaching it to the motherboard is not as complicated as you might think. The problem arises because of some other component and not just because of either the screw or the cooler.
In addition, every CPU cooler comes with the screws provided nowadays. However, some manufacturers make rare mistakes, like giving the wrong or incompatible screws. There is a standard size for screws that you can pursue if your fan is pretty standard. The diameter of the screw holes is usually around 5 mm on a standard cooler.
The motherboard socket will decide whether the PC fan won’t fit the motherboard. Hence, it will depend on the type of motherboard you own. Next, you must pick a suitable cooler to eradicate the problem if your CPU cooler doesn’t fit on the motherboard.
Your older motherboard socket may not be compatible with the newer coolers. So, you need to figure out what model number your CPU is. Then it would help if you got the CPU cooler that matches the model number of your motherboard socket.
If you ask us to tell the most acute reasons why you cannot fit your CPU cooler on the motherboard, we will say that it will be to the wrong socket placement. So, to remove this concern, you need to buy the right socket and place it properly.
Four screws on the socket will usually connect with the motherboard. Besides, the cooler will supply air through the backplate. Therefore, the wrong placement of the backplate will bring many unexpected things to the procession.
You should know how to install the CPU cooler. You may not need to set up parts when you buy a laptop or PC for the first time. But when you intend to install or replace the CPU cooler, you need to install it properly.
Therefore, the installation of the AIO cooler is much more complex than the air cooler. So, it would help if you were more careful here. Follow the below steps to install the air cooler perfectly on your motherboard. Also, you can follow the user’s manual in this case.
- Line up your CPU cooler with the backside of the processor.
- Insert the contact points into the holes of the motherboard.
- Tighten the screws into the motherboard with enough force.
- Then plug in the power cable of the CPU fan.
Note: If there is enough thermal paste on the backside of the CPU, you don’t need to add it yet. But this is not an issue regarding the fans that don’t fit.
Now let’s talk about what you need to do to install correctly to resolve the AIO doesn’t fit on motherboard issues.
- Install the bracket properly.
- Then, insert the bracket mountain points and screw the holes properly on the motherboard.
- Now, install the radiation fan depending on the place in your case.
- Connect the CPU AIO cooler fan with the cable correctly. Place the radiation right inside the casing on your motherboard.
Note: You have to make sure you perform the task carefully. When setting up the radiation fan, you can set up this anyplace if your System Unit case has enough. Besides, ensure the pressure of the AIO or water cooler is distributed equally on the surface of the System Unit.
Different manufacturers are making CPU coolers compatible with motherboards. Therefore, this is not a fact. The CPU cooler you intend to use might be compatible with the motherboard for better performance. However, there is also a chance that your CPU Cooler won’t fit the motherboard. There may be some variations regarding sockets, layouts, and stuff. Besides, the AIO cooler may not suit the main board, allowing only the air cooler.
It would be best if you check the compatibility of the CPU Cooler with your motherboard before purchasing it. For this purpose,
- First, check the specs of your CPU fan, then check the model of your motherboard.
- You have to know the specs of your computer for it.
- Then you can search online whether your CPU cooler is compatible with your motherboard model or not.
First, you need to choose a CPU cooler compatible with the motherboard. Then, you can search online whether your CPU cooler is compatible with your motherboard model or not.
Besides, you need to perform all the necessary steps to make the CPU cooler fit. For example, line up the cooler in the right direction (back of the CPU) and set up the screw correctly. Besides, ensure you insert the contact point of the Cooler correctly with the holes in the motherboard.
CPU fan that seems compatible with your motherboard fits it. Therefore, you can search online about the model of your CPU or motherboard. Besides, you can get the same information from your laptop or PC by seeing its specifications. If you don’t know how to check the specs of your PC, read our guide with five alternative methods to scan your computer’s specs.
Moreover, you can also use the same LGA fan on the same processor.
Necessarily not. Since different vendors manufacture CPU coolers compatible with various motherboards, this is not true. The CPU cooler you intend to use might be compatible with the motherboard for better performance. However, there is also a chance that your CPU Cooler won’t fit the motherboard. There may be some variations regarding sockets, layouts, and stuff. Besides, there is also a chance that the AIO cooler may not suit the main board, allowing only the air cooler.
Nothing wrong with it since the CPU fan cools the heat sink on the CPU only. Your case fans will still work, but the airflow will differ slightly from an open case. Even with the different airflow, your computer should run marginally cooler with an open casing.
Most of the no answers here say so because they can’t close their computer case properly. If that concerns you, you should buy a CPU fan/heat sink that allows the side door to be closed appropriately or buy a system case that accepts it. Your computer’s cooling will likely be better with the door off, but you will have to clear out dust occasionally, which may not look good.
Whenever I wanted my old first-generation i5–9400 computer to run cooler (because with age, the thermal paste doesn’t help it cool) during summer, I would take off the side panel. I have not needed to take the side panel off, but I had to clean the dust filters off a couple of times when it started to overheat because not enough cool air could get to the fans fast enough. I ran it like that until I built my new PC about two years ago, running an i7–8700K with a GTX 1080 Ti.
So, it is okay if the CPU fan is so tall that you cannot put your computer side panel on, but you might not like the look of your computer being open though it will run cooler. If you don’t like that, please buy a smaller CPU fan/heat sink or a system case that accepts it.
We think you realize what causes the CPU cooler won’t fit the motherboard. Therefore, you should take the steps of the solutions based on the type of problem you are facing. We always recommend you choose the compatible CPU cooler for your PC.
It will be challenging to screw the CPU cooler on the motherboard. Plus, the water or fluid cooler is critical. So ensure you place all parts correctly. You ought to take sufficient opportunity to fix the issue, so it would not irritate you. At last, it’s tied in with resolving the problem, and our aide will significantly help you concerning these circumstances.
Please read our article on 32 Reasons Why a motherboard is called a motherboard.
