I picked up an SR-2 for a new build from NewEgg (Scored it on B-Stock sale for $275!) along with a pair of E5520's off eBay.  The CPU's didn't include the fans, so as I tend to with all of my builds, I picked up a pair of cheap air cool heatsinks to make sure everything is working before I go a drop over a grand on a chilled water loop system.  That brings me to my issue - the heatsinks I bought use the 775-style push-lock pins (they're universal style, so they work on 775, 1155, 1156, and 1366).  Obviously that won't work with the SR-2 backplates.  Since this setup is only going to be used for a week or so while my water stuff comes in, can I just cut off the very ends of the stock backplates where the heatsink standoffs are, and then use my coolers as they're meant to be; or am I going to need to make my own spring screws that can bolt to the backplates?  I can sit my case on its side to reduce stress on the board if needed; although I've already tried these on my non-backplated 775 board and they work fine.

On your b-stock SR2, did you get any accessories at all with it.   You know, stuff like the SLI bridges and a few other small things?  If you did, check through those packages to see if there's 2 other backplates.  They provided both screw-down Xeon backplates as well as the standard 1366, if I remember correctly for the board.

Madrias


On your b-stock SR2, did you get any accessories at all with it.   You know, stuff like the SLI bridges and a few other small things?  If you did, check through those packages to see if there's 2 other backplates.  They provided both screw-down Xeon backplates as well as the standard 1366, if I remember correctly for the board.

Sadly, no - I only got the bare board and the I/O shield.  - I guess for nearly 50% off the retail price, I get what I paid for. 
 
Although looking at pictures of a non b-stock board and how the other backplates look, I don't see any harm in just cutting off the standoffs to make them even with the plate and drilling out the holes bit bigger so my snap-in fits.  It's not like I'm going to reuse them once I watercool anyways.
 
Just to be clear, this is the cooler I have.  Not sure if it makes a difference, but...

Removing those plastic push-in things, is the metal X big enough to reach the holes on the SR-2?

Even with water cooling are you going to need a back plate of some type?  Personally I would modify the cheep heatsink before I would modify something I may need down the road.  Even with B-Stock I believe you have a 1 year warranty, and you need to return those back plates with the board to have it honored.   I wouldn't risk invalidating a warranty for a $275 board to quick mount a couple of Heat sinks.  I messed around with one of mine and it ended up costing me $400.

geort45
 

Removing those plastic push-in things, is the metal X big enough to reach the holes on the SR-2? 

 
Yeah, I tried that last night and it'd work; but I'd need to get screws and insulators that'd work.
 

hab@hbahr.org


Even with water cooling are you going to need a back plate of some type?  Personally I would modify the cheep heatsink before I would modify something I may need down the road.  Even with B-Stock I believe you have a 1 year warranty, and you need to return those back plates with the board to have it honored.   I wouldn't risk invalidating a warranty for a $275 board to quick mount a couple of Heat sinks.  I messed around with one of mine and it ended up costing me $400.

The coolers I'm looking at all include their own backplates; so I'm not worried about that.  As far as warranty goes, that's a good point - I've had bad luck for whatever reason with boards in the past (went through 3 680i's and 2 790i's before I got my current 790 running...).
 
Almost wondering if when I order my case tomorrow I should just fess up and buy proper Xeon coolers.  They're $20 each on NewEgg, and I can always reuse these universal ones on 775 systems I've got.
 
Anyone know if a Rosewill RCX-SC1U-1366 will fit the normal Xeon backplates?

The default installed brackets on the SR-2 are for 1366 mounts AFAIK

geort45


The default installed brackets on the SR-2 are for 1366 mounts AFAIK

The only ones that came with mine are the screw in type.

Default Brackets installed on the SR-2 are intended for Xeon heatsinks ... the original non-refurb also comes with X58 brackets whereas the refurbs do not

If your just looking to survive a week, then just drop the heatsinks on the chips with lots of thermal paste. Squish them down and it will form a primitive bond. It wont be the best temps, but it should keep the chips in a moderatly safe operational temp. Make sure the board is not disturbed so the heatsink doesnt fall over, and monitor the temps

Or find a guy who is handy with metal... i happen to know one ;o)

Well, it's too late now  - I cut off the tips of each backplate and my sinks fit fine.  Worst case, if I need to RMA the board, I can buy replacement backplates to send back.
 
For some reason, my last post didn't get posted, but where I work; I have access to a full machine shop, so I can make pretty much whatever I need.
 
I'm thinking while I wait for my case to come in on Friday, I'm going to swap some temp parts over from my current build and see if it posts tomorrow.  If it does, then I'm all good.

Im not allowed to touch the machines at work. Glad to hear it worked out for you

nateman_doo


Im not allowed to touch the machines at work. Glad to hear it worked out for you

Yeah, it's weird - I'm the IT guy, but when I'm not fixing broken computers, I'm down in our R&D lab doing stuff in the machine shop.  Oh the joys of working at a manufacturing company.