Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme, how to cut 10 degrees off

Erroneus · Jun 10, 2007, 08:35 AM

I got one of these lovely ultra 120 extreme's, but my performance wasn't really that good, whish was kind of strange, because this is the bad boy of all air coolers.

Then i noticed it was quite loose, i could turn it around even though I had tightened the screws to the "max". So i searched around for people with a similar problem and on XS i found this thread and this one.

Now the problem seems to be, that the "clamp" which puts pressure on the heatsink, has to little space between it and the heatsink, so there isn't enough pressure on the heatsink.

Clamp:

The solution was quite easy, add some spacing between the clamp and the heatsink, which one on XS did by using a penny.

Penny Mod:

Nice eh

I didn't use a penny, I found a small washer, which i could lay on top of the exiting washer (yeah mine did have the stock washer, but still the problem) and it's a perfect match. The hole in my washer, was big enough so the screw (see next picture) on the backside of the clamp could fit in and a small drop of glue, keeps the extra washer in place.

Backside of clamp (not my pic):

I'm afraid pictures of "my" mod are out of the question, because it's installed in my case and running, but you should get the picture

With this mod, I sliced off almost 10 degrees and now it's performing like it should do. It's a bit disappointing though, you have to do this mod, because the ultra 120 extreme is one heck of an expensive cooler.

Have fun.

EZero · Jun 10, 2007, 09:37 AM

nice find....I'm sure this would help out some other people

I'll also keep that in mind since I'm thinking of getting this heatsink in the near future

**kris23** · Jun 12, 2007, 06:17 PM

nice thing to know if i get this or if the IFX-14 uses the same thing..... good find!

SSXeon · Jun 15, 2007, 04:43 AM

Very nice! I do want this cooling, but its a b**tch to install some of these intel coolers.

Nice find!

Lowfat · Jun 16, 2007, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSXeon

Very nice! I do want this cooling, but its a b**tch to install some of these intel coolers.

Nice find!

Pretty sure it would be easier than a Tuniq Tower. That was just aweful.

Erroneus · Jun 16, 2007, 05:52 PM

Other coolers which are aweful to instal also:

Scythe Infinity and every other scythe cooler with the pin-push locking system :X

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jun 19, 2007, 05:02 PM

Glad I'm not the only one who used those Zalman BGA heatsinks on their MOSFETs

SSXeon · Jun 20, 2007, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erroneus

Other coolers which are aweful to instal also:

Scythe Infinity and every other scythe cooler with the pin-push locking system :X

Trust me i know!

dipstick · Jun 25, 2007, 09:52 PM

One of the best tips I have found in weeks. I got a solid 4c off my temps!
Thanks a bunch

Jun 10, 2007, 08:35 AM	#1
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,419 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme, how to cut 10 degrees off I got one of these lovely ultra 120 extreme's, but my performance wasn't really that good, whish was kind of strange, because this is the bad boy of all air coolers. Then i noticed it was quite loose, i could turn it around even though I had tightened the screws to the "max". So i searched around for people with a similar problem and on XS i found this thread and this one. Now the problem seems to be, that the "clamp" which puts pressure on the heatsink, has to little space between it and the heatsink, so there isn't enough pressure on the heatsink. Clamp: The solution was quite easy, add some spacing between the clamp and the heatsink, which one on XS did by using a penny. Penny Mod: Nice eh I didn't use a penny, I found a small washer, which i could lay on top of the exiting washer (yeah mine did have the stock washer, but still the problem) and it's a perfect match. The hole in my washer, was big enough so the screw (see next picture) on the backside of the clamp could fit in and a small drop of glue, keeps the extra washer in place. Backside of clamp (not my pic): I'm afraid pictures of "my" mod are out of the question, because it's installed in my case and running, but you should get the picture With this mod, I sliced off almost 10 degrees and now it's performing like it should do. It's a bit disappointing though, you have to do this mod, because the ultra 120 extreme is one heck of an expensive cooler. Have fun. __________________

Jun 12, 2007, 06:17 PM	#3
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,019 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	nice thing to know if i get this or if the IFX-14 uses the same thing..... good find! __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Jun 15, 2007, 04:43 AM	#4
SSXeon ATi Freak!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Virginia, US Posts: 501 Rep Power: 0	Very nice! I do want this cooling, but its a btch to install some of these intel coolers. Nice find! __________________ XFX HD4890 1024MB @ 950/4400Mhz Have issues with your Catalyst driver? Please report it to ATi**

Jun 16, 2007, 05:52 PM	Thread Starter #6
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,419 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	Other coolers which are aweful to instal also: Scythe Infinity and every other scythe cooler with the pin-push locking system :X __________________

Jun 10, 2007, 09:37 AM	#2
EZero HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 119 Rep Power: 52 System Specs	nice find....I'm sure this would help out some other people I'll also keep that in mind since I'm thinking of getting this heatsink in the near future

Jun 19, 2007, 05:02 PM	#7
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	Glad I'm not the only one who used those Zalman BGA heatsinks on their MOSFETs

Jun 25, 2007, 09:52 PM	#9
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	One of the best tips I have found in weeks. I got a solid 4c off my temps! Thanks a bunch