GA-990FXA-UD3 Northbridge heatsink replacement

[Tiki]

I am set on changing the NB HS in my UD3, but I can't find a one that clearly says is compatible.
Could anyone please tell me of one that fits properly (as in you know for a fact that it does), I have only one shot at it since I'm buying it from USA via a friend so I can't afford getting one that won't fit. Also, is it worth replacing the VRM HS too? Thanks in advance.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Might have helped if you posted a photo

 

[NickOmega]

The only way you'll find out for sure what will fit is to measure the distance between the 2 mounting points on the board, and take into account the size of your CPU cooler.

As for the VRM heatsink, this is reported to fit the UD3.

 

[tinytomlogan]

They and find a faulty UD5 on ebay maybe? Might need a bit of dremmel work but people dont generally bother with replacing heatinks anymore.

Are you having huge heat problems?

 

[Tiki]

Sorry about the picture bit Tom and thanks Alcoholocaust for providing them.

Yes I'm having quite a bit of heat problems. It is an issue on the UD3's from rev 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 3, it was only fixed at rev 4. Right now we are on a really hot summer with temps of 30c to 40c, so even at stock the NB gets to 58-62C while gaming. Can't even OC because if i do, it easily can past over 70c and is not a faulty read from the sensor, it literally burns my fingers if I touch the heatsink.
I have removed the crappy pink bubble gum that Gigabyte calls thermal paste and replaced it with MX-2 which lowered the temps by almost 20c, back when I first got the Motherboard it was reaching 80c, which by the way, Gigabyte so-called "tech support" says is fine and it can even go up to 100c.

 

[NickOmega]

Sorry about the picture bit Tom and thanks Alcoholocaust for providing them.

Yes I'm having quite a bit of heat problems. It is an issue on the UD3's from rev 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 3, it was only fixed at rev 4. Right now we are on a really hot summer with temps of 30c to 40c, so even at stock the NB gets to 58-62C while gaming. Can't even OC because if i do, it easily can past over 70c and is not a faulty read from the sensor, it literally burns my fingers if I touch the heatsink.
I have removed the crappy pink bubble gum that Gigabyte calls thermal paste and replaced it with MX-2 which lowered the temps by almost 20c, back when I first got the Motherboard it was reaching 80c, which by the way, Gigabyte so-called "tech support" says is fine and it can even go up to 100c.

No problem mate.

I have the same board (Rev: 3.0) and I confirm the NB heatsink gets ridiculously hot, to the point it burns your fingers to touch it for more than a couple of seconds. I haven't changed the thermal materials on mine as I've gone on the assumption that if the heatsink is hot then the paste/tape is doing it's job of transferring the heat, might have to try it myself and see though.

The aftermarket cooler may also contribute to the higher temperature as the stock fan/HS would be moving air across the NB and VRM heatsinks.

 

[Wraith]

Tiki which CPU cooler do you use? I found my GA-78LMT-USB3 NB gets seriously hot while gaming ever since I took away my Topdown fan cooler and switched it for a AIO Cooler Master Seidon

This was my old cooler which chilled my bridges lovely

 

[tinytomlogan]

This could be an option too then (my choice for face down cooler just dont use the 92mm fan at all)

Review: http://www.overclock3d.net/articles/cases_cooling/noctua_nh-l12_review/1

 

[Wraith]

Great option TTL! How about the Scythe Grand Kama? It has modding potential..

 

[tinytomlogan]

The Noctua above is the best facedown we have tested really matey.

That scythe isnt all that tbh

 

[Tiki]

You really should, alcoholocaust.
Thanks all of you for the suggetions, but as you can see in the image below I don't much space to work with and moving the GPU to the second PCI-E is not an option since I have a WiFi card down on the PCI slot now. Also, I can't afford a new cooler altogether right now, a small "tower-style" heatsink would be within my budget and my space between and Hyper 212 and my GPU.

 

[NickOmega]

Yeah your cooler doesn't direct any air across the heatsinks at all.
I see from your sig you're using a 400R case. I know it's generally frowned upon on here, but would it be possible to mount an intake fan on the side panel while working on a more long-term solution?

 

[Tiki]

Yeah your cooler doesn't direct any air across the heatsinks at all.
I see from your sig you're using a 400R case. I know it's generally frowned upon on here, but would it be possible to mount an intake fan on the side panel while working on a more long-term solution?

Yeah, I notice that, only on the VRM/Mosfets HS get some airflow.
I only have some cheap 120mm fans that are not aligned with the HS and even so, the air barely reaches it. I'm buying proper 140mm ones soon for that purpose. Still I would prefer both solutions though.

I found this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=35-233-021
Two owners confirm that it fits on the UD3.