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To install frame or not to install?

Risk it?

  • Why not?

    Votes: 4 66.7%
  • Bad Idea

    Votes: 2 33.3%

  • Total voters
    6
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Some backstory, around 2 years ago I upgraded from an I5 9400F that I had for 3 years to a 12400F with a new motherboard. The 12400F has been great but at the start since the 3rd party cooler I originally had for the 9400F was not compatible with LGA1700, I used the stock cooler with plans to get a better air cooler down the road. The stock cooler drove me insane with how loud it was, plus at the time I have also been wanting to upgrade my cheap case because it was a dust magnet and made my PC in general loud due to being fully perforated. So last year I decided to do a partial PC upgrade with me changing the case and air cooler. I ended up snagging a Noctua NH-U12S on sale while I also got a new case, the Fractal Design Pop Air but with no glass side panel. The NH-U12S is overkill for the 12400F but I wanted it due to the good price and also because I always had in mind that I would probably do a CPU swap in the future to something that would probably need more cooling.

After ordering the case and cooler, one of my friends told me about the ILM issues that LGA 1700 has and told me he had a spare unused Thermal Grizzly 12th gen Contact Frame that he could sell to me. By the time I finally got the frame though, I had already rebuilt my PC in the new case with the new Noctua cooler already installed. The CPU temps had already improved a lot, in addition I looked at the video guide from der8auer and Gamers nexus on how to install it and because I wanted to avoid voiding my motherboard warranty and that I have never done a mod to a motherboard like that before so i was uneasy about it, I chickened out and decided to wait until the day I do a CPU swap to upgrade. All of this was last year.

Recently in conversation somewhere else with other folks, the topic of the contact frame came up and they brought up why I haven't used the frame yet. It sparked an interest again for me to finally take the risk and use the frame, but honestly I am not so sure if it is worth it. I am still using the 12400F and the temps with the cooler are very good so honestly the need for the frame is not there, plus now my CPU has been in the socket for around 2 years now so there's a chance it has already bent a bit, and seeing how precise the frame is machined, using the frame with a CPU that is already slightly bent is probably not a good idea.

But also at the same time I am probably still not upgrading my CPU for a while (GPU needs upgrading first) and also the chances of me upgrading to a 13th/14th gen CPU are lower now due to the degradation issues, so at this point why not use the frame anyways.

Writing here to get other people's opinions. Should I risk it and install the frame for the sake of finally using it, or hold off.


1-tg-ocf-i12g-png_1920x1920.png
 
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Don't fix something that isn't broken. Sell it.
 
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Personally, I would wait until you either replace your tim or get a new CPU...but that's because I'm a lazy mofo. Seriously tho. You have it, you may as well mount it and learn how the ILM system works. It isn't going to hurt anything and you may even drop a few degrees. Be a rebel!
 
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Don't fix something that isn't broken. Sell it.
Not sure if it'll be worth anything lol, they released a 13th gen one and is cheaper and probably easier and less risky to attach. Doubt someone would buy mine unless for like 5 euros or something, which at that point is not worth the effort.
Personally, I would wait until you either replace your tim or get a new CPU...but that's because I'm a lazy mofo. Seriously tho. You have it, you may as well mount it and learn how the ILM system works. It isn't going to hurt anything and you may even drop a few degrees. Be a rebel!
Right now the highest priority upgrade for my PC is the 2060, thing has served me well for like 4-5 years now but it is falling behind in the most recent games. I would benefit way more with a GPU upgrade than a CPU upgrade, so the 12400f is gonna be still with me for a while. Gonna wait more first to see other opinions before i decide lol.
 

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but honestly I am not so sure if it is worth it.

I doubt it too. I've had about five 1700 boards and not one of them needed an ILM for decent cooling.
 

FreedomEclipse

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I doubt it too. I've had about five 1700 boards and not one of them needed an ILM for decent cooling.

Its probably dependent on what cooler you use as well. Every manufacturer has different tolerances when it comes to mounting pressure. I have seen 'washer mods' being recommended for certain coolers and sockets when the stock pressure of the mounting system just wasnt enough.

I dont think putting the frame on will hurt.

@Ayhamb99

It might drop temps another 2-4'c if you put it on. Since you already have it and it has no resale value anyway, might aswell put it on next time you change your thermal paste.

You have it. might aswell use it. I didnt need one for my AM5 but I already had it so I used it.

::edit::

Also if youre wondering if putting on the frame NOW is going to damage anything. The simple answer is it wont. The PCB/IHS will flex a little every time your system heats up or cools down.
 
Last edited:
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Also if youre wondering if putting on the frame NOW is going to damage anything. The simple answer is it wont. The PCB/IHS will flex a little every time your system heats up or cools down.
My concern about me damaging anything was about me removing the ILM. I have never done a mod like that and also it looks very risky due to how precise the screws of the frame have to be torqued, If I accidentally overtorque the screws i may end up damaging the socket pins due to too much stress from the CPU, and if i undertorque my CPU will not make proper contact with the pins.
 

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My concern about me damaging anything was about me removing the ILM. I have never done a mod like that and also it looks very risky due to how precise the screws of the frame have to be torqued, If I accidentally overtorque the screws i may end up damaging the socket pins due to too much stress from the CPU, and if i undertorque my CPU will not make proper contact with the pins.

ILM is easy to remove. I never bothered with any torque specs either. Just a good 'hand-tight' will do. If youre pedantic then whoever the manufacturer for the frame might have a manual on their website with all the correct torque numbers.

Dont forget the contact frame is only one peice of the puzzle. It might warp a little on its own but everything should balance out when you mount and screw down your CPU cooler.


If youre nervous, Im sure there are plenty of guides that can be found on YT.
 
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Very easy IF you open the original ILM before removing it.

Mine flew through the whole room :rolleyes:
This is how I slightly bent a couple pins on one of my 5 boards, only was releasing the cpu and the handle slipped, went BOING, CPU jumped 3 inches off the board and fell into the socket. It's like a mini catapult!
 
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I've been using a Thermalright contact frame for over a year now with no issues. It does improve performance over the stock mount, so I don't know if it's worth the extra cost of a TG contact frame, but it is for the TR one. You do get the benefit of the second gen TG being designed so you don't have to measure how much you have to tighten each corner if you go that route.
 
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My concern about me damaging anything was about me removing the ILM. I have never done a mod like that and also it looks very risky due to how precise the screws of the frame have to be torqued, If I accidentally overtorque the screws i may end up damaging the socket pins due to too much stress from the CPU, and if i undertorque my CPU will not make proper contact with the pins.
If you can build your own computer, you can manage removing the ILM and installing the frame without damaging any pins.

You would have to do a ham fisted Hulk Hogan to over torque the screws btw. Once they bottom out, that's it, your done.

If you're seriously that worried, don't do it. It's not a big deal.
 
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If going to install it, then do it before assembly, I wouldnt at this point.
 
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