How is that heatsink is supposed to work?

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   So I got a new ASRock x299 Professional Gaming XE motherboard after reading about it. Seems to tick all the boxes, in particular improved VRM cooling.
I have an Asus x299 Prime Deluxe which has been giving me problem during long compilation, with the VRM easily reaching 105C...

Just received the ASRock boack, and I'm like WTF???
The heatsink doesn't even cover all the ferrite core, and worse, there's a .5mm gap between the thermal pad and the cores, it makes no contact.
Really such a big heatsink just for the show?

Worse you can see from the side that the board is slightly curved...

Not that impressed with ASRock manufacturing process really...

Edited by jyavenard - 11 Apr 2018 at 7:34pm

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jyavenard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Mar 2018 Status: Offline Points: 22	Post Options Post Reply Quote jyavenard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: How is that heatsink is supposed to work? Posted: 11 Apr 2018 at 7:32pm
	So I got a new ASRock x299 Professional Gaming XE motherboard after reading about it. Seems to tick all the boxes, in particular improved VRM cooling. I have an Asus x299 Prime Deluxe which has been giving me problem during long compilation, with the VRM easily reaching 105C... Just received the ASRock boack, and I'm like WTF??? The heatsink doesn't even cover all the ferrite core, and worse, there's a .5mm gap between the thermal pad and the cores, it makes no contact. Really such a big heatsink just for the show? Worse you can see from the side that the board is slightly curved... Not that impressed with ASRock manufacturing process really... Edited by jyavenard - 11 Apr 2018 at 7:34pm

PetrolHead Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 07 Oct 2015 Status: Offline Points: 403	Post Options Post Reply Quote PetrolHead Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 2018 at 10:11pm
	The heatsink's main purpose is to cool the mosfets, which are flat components under the heatsink and cannot be seen in the picture you've attached. From a cooling perspective the chokes are not that important and they aren't usually cooled by the VRM heatsink.
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Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 27963	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 2018 at 10:11pm
	Welcome to the forums Let me put your mind at ease. 1. The choaks are not supposed to make contact with the heatsink, those fins are there to catch more airflow not cool the ferrite cores. Its a clever use of space not a broken feature It's the mosfets that the heatsink does make contact with that need the cooling. These will have a thermal pad on them to ensure even cooling and avoid any potential damage from flexing when in transit or being installed. A small amount of flex is also normal. ASRock uses glass fiber PCBs which are high quality and ideal for multi layer designs. Likewise, those chokes are premium grade chokes. If there is one thing you can almost always count on ASRock for it is brilliant power design and cooling. It is a well known strong point. 2. All PCBs are slightly curved, this comes from the soldering process where one side of the board contracts more when the traces cool. A slight bow is perfectly normal. Now if the board is severely bowed and components are popping off, that's another story. If you look closely at any motherboard you will always see curvature to one degree or another. I am not defending anyone or anything here, just trying to reassure you that you have not wasted your money. It's not my job to defend anyone anyway, I am just a moderator, not ASRock staff. Good job checking your purchase over so carefully, it's always good practice to do so I hope my post helps alleviate your concerns. Edited by Xaltar - 11 Apr 2018 at 10:13pm


jyavenard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Mar 2018 Status: Offline Points: 22	Post Options Post Reply Quote jyavenard Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 2018 at 6:16pm
	Thanks for your answer... I still fail to see the use of a thermal pad at the bottom not touching anything though, and ive designed a fair share of electronic boards Comparing with the Gigabyte x299 Gaming 7 pro, which has a similar heatsink design (except that its actively cooled with a fan), the thermal pad is making contact, and covers them all... GB and Asus x299 boards are perfectly flat But otherwise, its all good for now. The vrm certainly runs cooler than the Asus x299 Prime. I got both the GB Gaming 7 Pro and the ASRock to compare. Unfortunately, GB thought that it was a great idea to wire the only PCIe slot where you can fit the thunderbolt card via the PCH. The ASRock all slots are using CPU lane, which is great. Edited by jyavenard - 12 Apr 2018 at 6:17pm