How to safely mount an XP-120 on a naked dual core

[Clint]

You do this at your own risk, I only provide you with a suggestion on how to do this...the decision is yours.







Ok, if you still are here and we have that out of the way:

I have made this on a DFI Ultra-D board, if you have a different model you might wanna check the clearance and mountingholes before you continue.

First you need to check your memoryclearance, the maximum height allowed
for the memory is 39mm, and as you can see the Mushkin XP4000 are 38mm high so it will fit snuggly under the fins: (2 pics)



You will also need to be prepared to cut off a tiny bit (3-4mm) from one of the alu-heatsinks: (2 pics)
(do 1 horisontal "mark" first, then 3 vertical cuts...no violence needed)



Then you need to cut some plastic off the XP-120 mounting bracket, make the outer ridge levelled with the inner ridge: (3 pics)




Flatten the edge as in picture: (2 pics)



Then you mount the bracket and cooler together.
Make sure the clips are centered and hooked properly all the way up into the mounting holes: (2 pics)



Now you place washers for support and raise (1mm thick, 9mm diameter) : (1 pic)
(positioned like this)


Hold like this and use your thum to press up the cooler and then slide the washer in : (2 pics)



Now check the alliance between the cooler and the bracket, should look straight and even like this: (3 pics)




Mounting:
To help balancing the cooler while mounting you could utilize something that has the same thickness as your distance between cooler and memory..(you did measure before, right?). This will also help you to keeping the paste not to be pressed out on one side while tightening the screws, this is very important on a naked core where you have a much smaller contact surface : (1 pic)




Check again that the clips are hooked all the way up on the holders and make sure everything sits evenly on all sides!!!


Lower the whole package on the core and use a small screwdriver to alternately turn the screws a quarter turn on each side until the screws are fully tightened: (1 pic)


When fully tightened the washers will fall out: (2 pics)



Do not forget to remove the washers!!!

Check clearance: (4 pics)





Done!