Zalman CNPS 7700 ALCU, Zalman VF700 review - Checking Compatibility
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Before installing the Zalman cooler you should check compatibility on the Zalman website -- especially given the size of these coolers. If you are unable to get to the Zalman website, there is detailed information on dimensions for motherboard components and where they should be located for compatibility. Do a little bit of measuring around your socket, and you should be ready to go unless you find an incompatibility.
As you can see, the heatsink is hitting the stock Northbridge cooler. Mounting the heatsink would be impossible since the base of the heatsink would not be making full contact with the CPU.
On the Zalman website it says that the ABIT AA8 Duramax is incompatible with the CNPS 7700. You can clearly see that the heatsink is resting on top of the Northbridge fan. The Zalman instructions say to replace the cooler with a smaller one (less than 39mm tall).
I noticed that, since my Northbridge cooler has diagonal holes, and the opposite side of the heatsink is at a slope, a kludge is possible. If you rotate your Northbridge cooler 180 degrees, so that the 40mm fan blows up from the PCI express card towards the CPU, the heatsink will be compatible without replacing the Northbridge cooler.
Now the heatsink clears the Northbridge fan and is fully compatible with the Abit AA8 Duramax.
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