Installing the HSF with three of four pins?

[JohnJSal]

Ok, I think I've figured out the problem. One of the pins on my HSF doesn't seem to be right. You're supposed to turn the black tops of the pins clockwise until they won't turn anymore. Well, this one pins turns completely around, and it also can be taken off the white portion of the pin. So I think it's broken.

However, in a test installation, I was able to get the other three pins secure, plus this fourth one seemed pretty secure as well. It didn't click in like the others, as far as I can tell, but it also didn't move when I nudged the HS.

So my question is, is it a good idea to install it this way? Even if this one pin comes loose, I'm pretty sure the whole thing won't fall off, but will it mean that the HS isn't making as good of contact with the CPU? I wouldn't want any thermal paste to leak either.

The other option would be to install the stock cooler.

What would you guys do?

EDIT: The strange thing is that when I push this pin when the HS is off the motherboard and I'm just holding it, it will snap down. So I'm thinking that maybe the problem is that I'm not pushing it down at the right "turn", since it won't stop turning like the other three. Maybe I'll try another dry run and see how that goes. But still, suggestions are welcome!

 

[porterjw]

Even if this one pin comes loose, I'm pretty sure the whole thing won't fall off, but will it mean that the HS isn't making as good of contact with the CPU?

Yes, that's generally bad. I over-tightened a mis-aligned screw on my old HSF once and it snapped the screw casing. There was just enough of a gap between the HSF and CPU to let the CPU auto-shutdown.

have you tried installing the CPU/HSF with the MoBo out of the case? I know it was suggested in another Thread, but forgot the answer

 

[JohnJSal]

Yes, that's generally bad. I over-tightened a mis-aligned screw on my old HSF once and it snapped the screw casing. There was just enough of a gap between the HSF and CPU to let the CPU auto-shutdown.

have you tried installing the CPU/HSF with the MoBo out of the case? I know it was suggested in another Thread, but forgot the answer

Yeah, it's been out of the case the whole time. I haven't installed it in the case yet. This is my first build.