ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 problem...

So, I just built a new PC and I bought this cooler to replace the stock one... only problem was when I tried to put it in I must have screwed up or something because when I tried to click the 4 plugs down into the holes... the plastic on the things got bent and goofed up. I have tried squeezing them back together with needle nose pliers in order to get them to fit down there, at one point I even got 3 to click in and it was somewhat solid, but one was just down because half of the head had bent backwards. So, the cooler sat pretty firm, but it would still pivot on that axis which kinda weirded me out, I could not tell if it had full contact with the board.

So, any tips.. I just stuck the stock cooler on there for now... they clicked down easily with little force. Any ideas on clamping the plastic to get it to click into the holes? Anyone use this cooler? Should it pivot on that weird axis even once it is mounted, or was mine only doing that because all the plugs were not in firmly? Im not sure what to do with this cooler.

I'm using that cooler and damn fine it is too! This is gonna sound like a right pain in the arse but sometimes it's best to take the motherboard out to fit the cooler. Those white tips bend back really easily but once you've got them properly fitted they'll go back into shape. I've done exactly the same as yourself with this cooler. As for pivoting, it shouldn't pivot in the slightest; shouldn't move at all.

Thanks for the reply, I was thinking about having to do that... it will suck, but if I can get the cooler on.... it will be so much better than the stock one. So, when you did it, did you have a hard time getting the plastic head things to click into place too? And once you did get them in it was rock solid and did not move a bit, correct?

Yeah chum, it was a real twat at first but once it's on it's an excellent cooler; at least 6 - 8 degs cooler than the stock one and better at full load. I've fitted several of these jobs and ALWAYS do them out of the case so that I can see what the plastic clips are doing. Good luck pal!

Yikes Plastic??

I use Thermaltake Blue Orbs - all metal mounting hardware and simple as hell!!

Well they're damned good coolers and CHEAP (inexpensive). But the white plastic prongs are tricky.