AMD Installation

To install the system on an AMD motherboard, the original heatsink needs to be removed and the compound cleaned off the heatspreader. The mounting hardware for LGA 775 needs to be removed by unscrewing the two screws on the bottom of the base.


With the cover removed the Vivo should be lined up on top of the CPU. Take the AMD clip and slide it over the back, hooking each of the ends over the tabs on the retention frame. Then the lever should be flipped over to lock the heatsink in place.


We installed the heatsink using the thermal compound included in the package. Since we would be testing the cooler with Arctic Silver 5, the compound was installed according to the Arctic Silver directions. A small amount of compound was put in the center of the heatspreader and the heatsink was placed on top, spreading the compound out. Immediately after installation the heatsink was removed to inspect the contact. At this point it was apparent that the thermal compound was squeezed into the small gaps between the heatpipes and the base. Since this meant that less compound would be available to make proper contact with the heatspreader, a different method of application was needed.


Taking an idea from the instructions for application of AS5 on a Core2Duo CPU, the AS5 was instead added to the heatpipes themselves in very thin stripes. This made much better contact with the heatspreader. When using other compounds (like the one included in the Vivo's package) that are meant to be spread out evenly across the CPU, this step is unnecessary.


With the heatsink reinstalled, the cover was put over the fins. This is where we found our second issue. When the clip was put on the retention frame, the lever was on the right side. To have the fan blowing air toward the rear case fan, the fan needed to be on the right side as well. Unfortunately, the fan hit the lever, which refused to allow it to seat properly. If the fan was flipped the cover sit perfectly, but that meant it would blow the hot air away from the rear case fan.


The solution was simple, as the clip was removed without lifting the heatsink, and then turned 180 degrees. This allowed the fan to blow the air in the proper direction, but this still prevented a fan from being mounted on the same side as the lever. The solution provided by Zaward was to use a longer set of screws for the cover, which would help raise the cover slightly. Since these screws were not included in the package, the dual fan setup will not be tested on an AMD CPU.


The installation was completed by connecting the fan to the motherboard header. There was ample room around the heatsink, as there should be. Since the Vivo is based on a 92mm fan, it is nowhere near as large as other tower heatsinks based on 120mm fans.