I'm upgrading the CPU in a GA-P35-DS3R motherboard with an LGA775 socket. When I removed the heatsink, I accidentally pulled off the circular mounting bracket with it. I ordered a replacement bracket, but I'm trying to understand how the original mounting system should work in the meantime.
The metal clips on the heatsink don't seem to hold the bracket tightly on their own, and the assembly feels loose rather than spring-loaded. Is that normal until the heatsink is fully installed and the push pins are locked into the motherboard, or could the bracket or cooler have been damaged? I'd like to know whether replacing just the bracket should be sufficient or if I need a complete cooler.
1 Answer
It’s difficult to tell what’s wrong without seeing the mounting hardware clearly. A close-up photo or video of the bracket, heatsink clips, and push-pin assembly would help identify whether anything is bent or broken.
I added a video showing how the bracket and clips fit together so the mounting mechanism can be checked more closely.