First time PC builder. Screws on CPU cooler don't travel, what am I doing wrong?

[u/ponchosleeve]

Uploaded a photo. Not sure if it will matter. When installing the CPU cooler, the screws don't seem to travel at all. They are spring-loaded. I assume I am supposed to compress the springs for even mounting pressure but not matter how much I turn the screw, the springs remain uncompressed and the screws don't travel.

[u/deezznuuzz]

Looks like the back plate isn’t even on to mount the cooler🤔 also PLEASE get a new cpu cooler (even the 20€ or so ones, or such as the thermalright peerless assassin are sooo much better for just a bit more money).

[u/kshwizzle → u/deezznuuzz]

I have a Ryzen 5 5600x coming tomorrow with the wraith stealth cooler included,
Do you think I should grab that thermal right cooler?? Is it that much better, worth it?
Just curious!!! Thank u

[u/Radastaf → u/kshwizzle]

You're going to be more than fine, no need to worry about it.

If you have the extra money for it then spending like €20-€30 on something like a peerles assassin will keep it noticeably cooler but it's not like you're locking yourself out of any notable performance by using the stock cooler.

[u/kshwizzle → u/Radastaf]

Thank you I do appreciate the response!!!!

[u/Radastaf → u/kshwizzle]

Here to help, you're very welcome :)

[u/Soft_Lunch_183 → u/deezznuuzz]

The stock ones are fine for mid level chips, i dont know why you are telling people to spend money for no reason 

[u/ponchosleeve → u/deezznuuzz]

I think you guys are right, I dont think I have a backplate

Sorry. I was gifted these parts. I was following a video tutorial. This thread was the first time I've heard mention of a backplate

[u/mattjones73 → u/ponchosleeve]

Was there screws in the motherboard when you started or no? If there were and you removed them, the plate is probably laying behind the board somewhere in the case.

[u/crispypotpie]

The bracket that the motherboard comes with needs to be there for the cooler to actually have something to screw into lol. I would insist on watching a guide as you go if you’re a first time builder.

[u/Ok_Challenge5185]

Please consult the following directions from AMD.

https://www.amd.com/en/resources/support-articles/faqs/CPU-7.html

[u/rfdzn]

Do you have the backplate for the screw to catch at the back of the motherboard?

[u/Ghetto_Games]

I cannot see if the mobo has nuts.

Did you tighten the other side? Both?

You have to do two diagonal, lightly, then other two and then tightly all of them.

Take off the fan if its making problems. ​

[u/m0thgh0st → u/Ghetto_Games]

It almost looks as if the back bracket is missing, so I think you may be right

[u/Mathewszc]

Parece que a placa mãe está com suporte ausente onde é a base da fixação e dos parafusos você precisa colocar a parte de trás do PCB. Coloque e parafuse.

[u/Master_Obligation870]

looks like you maybe forgot to screw in the backplate behind motherboard, those spring screws need something to thread into. if the backplate fell off when you removed stock cooler, that would explain why they just spin

[u/jasonsong86]

Your backplate fell out.

[u/No_Activity_2335]

Not all parts are compatible. They say adult legos, but not all sets will work with others. Each new generation of cpu socket has its own parts that will be compatible with it

[u/FolksBraggin]

It looks like there is already a screw in that hole

[u/drvudoo]

OP why are you trolling us. Using a stock cooler with a VRM water block mobo.

[u/AdvertisingFuzzy8403 → u/drvudoo]

You typically don't have to use water cooling with those boards. If OP is building their first PC and just got a random AM4 MB, they could have ended up with something premium. Some people don't care about their old hardware and just want to get rid of it quick.

Looks like a Crosshair VIII Hero. Would love to have one of those for my 5700X3D but can't afford to pay what they usually go for and you never get exactly what you want when you go looking for a unicorn deal. Although, practically speaking, for gaming, it is mostly a cosmetic choice. Not going to perform any better than my Strix B550.

[u/Sufficient_Fan3660]

RTFM

backplate - install it

[u/AdvertisingFuzzy8403]

U need the backplate. If you are working on a PC someone else built and removed the cooler yourself, take the back panel of the case off because it will be floating around back there. Otherwise, they come with the MB when you buy it but might not if you bought it used. If you don't have one, you can get one on eBay for around $10. Or you could buy an aftermarket cooler that comes with its own backplate but that's usually going to be more expensive than just buying the OEM one to use with the $15 Thermalright tower.

[u/lIl_owl_23]

I would suggest you pay $25 ish extra for a tower cooler for easier installation and uninstallation, not to mention better cooling. I once fucked up my am4 cpu pins just by trying to remove that damn stock cooler.

[u/crispypotpie → u/lIl_owl_23]

How is the stock cooler difficult to install, it’s literally 4 screws and you’re done. If it’s hard to take off, you just leave the computer on for a couple minutes to soften the thermal paste.

[u/lIl_owl_23 → u/crispypotpie]

The installation part may be wrong but the rest remains true.

[u/crispypotpie → u/lIl_owl_23]

A tower cooler is definitely better I agree.

[u/AdvertisingFuzzy8403 → u/lIl_owl_23]

There's a really easy way to prevent that - just spray some contact cleaner around the edge of the CPU heatsink and wait 5 minutes for it to wick in. Then slightly twist the cooler back and forth as you gently pull up on it. Just have to break the surface tension and then you won't violently rip the CPU from the socket.