Socket 775 Installation
I’ll be installing the Thermalright TRUE Black 120 on our standard Intel and AMD test platforms. For more information on our system configurations, please see our heatsink testing methodology.
The first order of business is to affix the adhesive fan anti-vibration strips. Four strips are included with the TRUE Black 120 for dual fan operation.
Installation on our LGA775 system was incredibly easy. Thermalright’s backplate is “X shaped” and steers clear of protruding pins at the rear of the motherboard.
The top retention frame simply folds to allow it to pass above the base and unfolds to its symmetrical “X” shape. It is then secured using simple spring loaded screws. Because of the thin nature of the TRUE, the screws are accessible.
As you can see, there are no clearance issues on either side of the heatsink. Not only is this a very easy heatsink to install, the final mount is very secure.
The TRUE is very large, but definitely not a problem for most system configurations. As an added plus, the heatsink can be rotated to virtually any angle. If a component poses an issue, it can be rotated slightly to avoid it — a useful feature.
Socket AM2 Installation
Installing the TRUE Black 120 on our AM2 board was a bit more problematic, unfortunately.
The first issue I faced was the backplate—or lack thereof. The DFI NF570-M2/G board I’ve been testing with does not include an OEM backplate. It uses a clip-on retention frame as pictured above on the right. Thankfully I had an OEM backplate from another socket AM2 motherboard that I borrowed for testing. Most higher-end boards will include an OEM backplate, but with AMD moving out of the performance spotlight lately, many board makers are cutting corners to keep prices low. Backplates are not required for the OEM AMD heatsink, so they are not always included. A Gigabyte 780G board I had also did not include a backplate. Given the high price of the TRUE Black 120, Thermalright should have included an OEM-style backplate.
The upper retention frame squeezes between the heatpipes. I scratched my head for a while trying to get it through. It is a tight squeeze, but it does fit; it needs to be angled a certain way to get through. Once I had that sorted, installation was a breeze, but I unfortunately ran into another issue. Due to the asymmetrical nature of the AM2 mounting holes, the TRUE can only be mounted in two positions. Unfortunately, airflow can only be directed upward or downward on our DFI NF570-M2/G test board. Many other AM2 boards will have this same issue. I mounted it facing upward. The first RAM slot was blocked due to this mounting position. Although this is unfortunate, many heatsinks have this same issue. Some Noctua heatsinks, however, have shown that it is possible for 45° rotation with special brackets.
Aside from the first DIMM slot, there were no clearance issues anywhere on the board.
The final AM2 mount is very secure. The OEM backplate did bend slightly under the strong mounting pressure, but I was pleased with its security.
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