w1nn1ng1

Based on what this thread is showing. It appears as though only the new models of coolers are having issues maybe? Seems like the smaller, older coolers are doing a lot better. Anyone have any good luck with coolers like the H80i GT, H100i GTX, or H110i GTX? Seems like all the luck is coming from the non 'i' models, which are the older models.

For reference on the issues I was seeing. Here are my details: GPU: EVGA 06G-P4-4992 980 TI Cooler: H100i GTX Process: As the instructions stated, I used the standoffs. I first removed the thermal pads and manually applied them to the VRM and VRAM as to not hit any of the other, taller components. I installed the bracket putting minimal pressure on the screws (on the second bracket I received) to the point that they were barely tight. I installed the pump, tightening down the screws in a star pattern until there was minimal pressure on the screws. While there was minor bending in the PCB, it wasn't very dramatic. The biggest problem I found were A) the pump was not sitting level on the card, no matter what order I tightened the screws and how much pressure on each side of the pump there was, I couldn't eliminate the gap. B) the provided standoffs appear to be too tall. There was at least a 1 or 2 mm gap between the die and the pump. I'm not sure if the 2 pumps you guys tested with require the standoffs or not, but I think that is where the biggest culprit resides, is it possible that the standoffs are just too tall for the card? I have already gone through the refund process, but hoping these details will help you find the issue for others.

I smell a recall.

Well, I've thrown in the towel. Going to request a refund tomorrow. Already agreed to sell my cooler to my buddy for his CPU. Going to sell him my H80i GT and keep my H100i GTX for my CPU. EVGA Hybrid cooler is already on its way. Really wanted this to work, but, after waiting 3 months for release, finally getting it, having the first one not work, RMA'ing that for a second one and having that not work, I'm done trying. I know the EVGA solution works as I've already installed it on a friends card and it works brilliantly. Oh well, maybe Corsair will learn from this experience.

http://imgur.com/share/i/tbMyDO1Cross posting from other thread related to HG10 N980 Braket Installation Issues: So, I finally got home and tested the new, RMA'd bracket. I have confirmed everyone's suspicions. Basically, this bracket is designed improperly. I will post pictures tomorrow. I haven't tested yet, but, here is what I did: First, I removed the thermal pads from the bracket. I manually placed them on the components that need to be cooled to ensure they weren't touching any of the taller components. I then loosely mounted the bracket only tightening the screws until minimal force was met. I then mounted the cooler using the AMD bracket. What if found was that the pump is not making proper contact with the die. I have loosened and tightened all of the screws on the pump in different orders with no clear results. The biggest problems I've found are A) the thermal pads are too thick and the standoffs are too long. This is what is causing the PCB to bend when the bracket is mounted. The standoffs that the PCB mounts to are too long towards the edges closest to the die. While not long enough on the edges of the card, this is causing a bulge near the center of the bracket where the GPU die rests. B) The standoffs provided that the pump mounts to are also too long. There is a clear gap between the pump and the GPU die. I have pictures where you can actually see where the pump is not touching the die at all. Again, I have tightened and loosened every screw, whether it be the bracket to the PCB or the pump to the bracket, no order of tightening or loosening makes any bit of different. Point blank, the reason this is failing is due to the improper engineering of the bracket where the PCB mounts to it, causing the PCB to bulge. The exact same thing happened with the first bracket I received. I am going to see if I can get it to rest to a more acceptable liking, but I think my efforts are futile. If I can't get the pump to mount properly, I will be requesting a full refund on not only the bracket, but the pump as well since I can't use it. If Corsair doesn't refund the full amount of the pump (given I bought it more than 30 days ago in preparation), it will be the very last Corsair product I ever purchase. The product manager completely dropped the ball. Clearly not enough testing was conducted to make sure these were machined and designed properly. My suspicion is that they pushed this product out early hoping it was good enough, when clearly it isn't. I am one very unhappy customer right now and will be telling everyone I can find on any forum that asks to completely avoid this product until the kinks are completely ironed out #endrant EDIT: Confirmed...idle temperatures at 81 C. Attempted to mount the pump to the die and the bracket to the PCB multiple different ways. Attempted to have many different levels of tightness on all of the screws, including the pump mount, no change in the pumps touch points. Time to fight the battle of getting Corsair to refund my money. Hopefully they will on the pump that I can no longer use. EVGA's Hybrid solution appears to be the best course of action as it mounts directly to the PCB and uses the factory bracket and blower. Also, uploaded the image. Hard to tell, but you can sort of see the pump isn't directly touching the die. Really really aggravated that I waited 3 months for this piece of crap. *sigh* back to factory cooling for now I suppose.

I have the 06G-P4-4992 EVGA card...which is explicitly listed as compatible with the bracket....so who knows.

I also just spoke to Corsair. You have to RMA as they don't offer the standoffs alone. Also, the CB-9060006-WW is not listed on their RMA / Ticketing site. You will have to select the CB-9060005-WW (N970) and put in the notes that its for the N980, not the N970. I have a feeling that the reason you and I are having issues is more than likely the thermal pads that are applied to the bracket. I noticed that mine didn't seem to exactly line up so they overlapped some components that didn't require them. Can you peel these off and stick them to the board first, than apply the bracket? I wonder if that would help with fitment. I also ran into the pump not touching the die. Ended up over tightening to compensate and broke the standoff. My guess is it's not the pump that needs to be tighter, it's the bracket needs to be re-seated. I also had to flex my card a bit to get the bracket to lock down.

There are 2 holes on the side of the bracket. Before you take it apart, look through those holes at the die. When I did with mine, I could actually see the thermal paste between the die and pump, showing that the pump wasn't actually touching the die. I have an idea that this was the engineering issue they ran into. It's very hard to apply consistant pressure across the entire die when the pump isn't directly mounted to the card, rather, it's mounted to a bracket mounted to a card. This is why every cooler you find, whether GPU or CPU mounts directly to the board the CPU/GPU is mounted on. I have a feeling Corsair may end up running into a lot of RMA issues on this one :sigh!:

I found mine to be too tall. I need to get new ones, as I snapped one of them, but my suspicion is that they are too tall. I had the cooler completely installed and tested at one point and I was getting temps higher than with the stock cooler. Checked the pump and found that it wasn't even touching the die. Tried the cooler without the standoffs and I couldn't secure it. Seems the better way to secure the pump would have been directly to the card instead of a bracket fixed to the card, but that would eliminate the Hydro Series as being compatible. Hopefully this isn't a common theme.

It was basically a spacer standoff. Threads into the post and the top has more threads for the actual lockdown screw for the pump. I was going to attempt to make it work with something I had, but, the biggest problem is the threads are not standard and are really small. I didn't have anything that small, thread wise, that would be long enough to add a hollow tube to. Rather than break something or engineer my own fix. I'll see what Corsair can do for me with a few 5 cent screws.

--*IMPORTANT*-- Make sure you guys are VERY careful if you use the standoffs for most of the coolers. I managed to snap the threads off one of mine : ( . Currently attempting to see if I can get replacement standoffs shipped, but Corsair's support site doesn't list the HG10 N980 as a part yet. I'll have to explore other venues to get the parts. Also, note the location of the USB port on the pump BEFORE mounting it. I mounted it backwards and ended up needing to take it back off, clean off the already smudged / streaked thermal paste, and reapply new...at least I had Arctic Silver 5 for spare. Meanwhile...I have to wait for spare parts.

I ordered mine on the Oct 28th, shipped the Oct 30th, and is schedule to arrive today (11/2). I live in Maine for reference.

THANK GOD!! Anyway they are going to release any kind of PR statement explaining the issues they ran into (generically) and apologizing to us loyal customers? :laughing:

Dustin....can you confirm they are shipping?? Or is this just a standard "website shows as in stock, but they won't ship for another month"...

In my case, I already have the EVGA Superclocked Reference card. I think I am in your boat. If something isn't announced by the end of this week (whether it's an estimated ETA or an actual ETA), I am going to sell my H100i GT and purchase the EVGA coooler. Enough is enough. The fact that this whole thing has been kept under wraps and no announcements have been made lead me to believe Corsair is more likely to scrap the product all together than release this damn thing.