Can I install NH-U96 in Acer Predator Orion 3000 640 without removing mobo?

ZeDan · December 2022

Hi all,

I purchased the NH-U96 for my new pc to replace the cpu fan as it was highly recommended on here. I watched install videos and read guides to prepare for the modification. The fan has now arrived but I’ve realised I have a different mobo to the one used by those who wrote the previous guides. The version of the fan I purchased comes with mounting support for the LGA 1700 mobo I have, but the instructions say I need to remove the mobo to install the mounting plate the unit comes with before installing the fan.

None of the previous guides mentioned this, they simply used the mounting bracket the fan came with. My question is, can I install the fan in the same manner - using only the mounting bracket, or do I actually need to remove the mobo and install the mounting plate the unit came with? Thank you in advance for your help once again.

NeoGeo · December 2022

What you can try is setting a custom fan profile, find a setting for all the fans where it isn't too loud and still cooling efficiently, aslong as the CPU/GPU is running below 100c where it will throttle itself down, i'd say up to around 85-90c while gaming that's well within operating temps. Also running on slightly lower settings ingame be it resolution or effect settings will put less strain on the two components primarily the GPU.

I know it seems daunting before starting to do any modification but if you plan it well enough it should be like clockwork, it's hard to do damage to the boards if simple measures are taken - Disconnecting power cord and holding power button for 15 seconds, touching inside of chassis or using a anti static band. Also something to consider may be a 120mm AIO single fan radiator , some people swear by them and alot of systems come with them including the Orion 7000, Alienware, that also opens the possibility of doing a push/pull AIO sandwich mod where you have a fan on each side of the radiator, i did that before and can confirm it worked nicely to cool a 12600k.

StevenGen · December 2022

Can I install NH-U96 in Acer Predator Orion 3000 640 without removing mobo?

ZeDan

Dec 15, 2022

Hi all,
I purchased the NH-U96 for my new pc to replace the cpu fan as it was highly recommended on here. I watched install videos and read guides to prepare for the modification. The fan has now arrived but I’ve realised I have a different mobo to the one used by those who wrote the previous guides. The version of the fan I purchased comes with mounting support for the LGA 1700 mobo I have, but the instructions say I need to remove the mobo to install the mounting plate the unit comes with before installing the fan.
None of the previous guides mentioned this, they simply used the mounting bracket the fan came with. My question is, can I install the fan in the same manner - using only the mounting bracket, or do I actually need to remove the mobo and install the mounting plate the unit came with? Thank you in advance for your help once again.

You mean the Noctua NH-U9S and not the NH-U96? Best is to follow the Noctua manual guide for the socket LGA1700 cpu and remove the mobo and fit the NH-U9S cpu cooler properly, removing a mobo is not a big job.

GotBanned · December 2022

Removing the motherboard from the case is relatively easy. But if the original mounting plate is secured in place with a double sided tape, you need to be extremely careful.

I don't know what, if anything, is different between PO3-620, 630 and 640 motherboards mounting wise. Therefore at first I'd try to follow the guide and if it doesn't work, then consider about replacing the mounting plate.

Please keep us in the loop how things go. Thanks! Forumites need all the info they can get!

NeoGeo · December 2022

Hi there,

Removing the motherboard on the predator series is indeed quite simple, although there's some tips which will help the process of doing so - take pictures of the connectors prior to taking them off, taking out harder to remove connectors by wiggling slightly up and down ( not left and right ) to avoid bending pins, keeping the electrical tape and placing it back where you removed it from, and when you take the back plate off it's only double sided tape in the middle , something i wasn't told so ended up snapping the stock backplate by pulling from the corners. ( the stock backplate looks like its coolmaster designed and not asetek )

Here's a photo my modded 7000 -

ZeDan · December 2022

Thank you everyone. That is super helpful. I was really hoping that I wouldn’t need to remove the mobo. I appreciate it is relatively simple from what you are all saying, but I have crippling anxiety about this sort of thing. I’m terrified about breaking something. From what I can tell, the cooling in the Predator Orion 3000 640 appears to be better than it’s predecessors.

When selecting the gaming fan profile, I’ve yet to see temps rise above 50c for the cpu or gpu. The back and sides of the unit also feel cool to the touch after long gaming sessions. The fans are incredibly loud though! It sounds like a jet engine ramping up in my room. This can be drowned out with an increase in speaker volume, but it is less than ideal.

My main aim with replacing the cpu fan was to improve cooling, anticipating it would be very hot with the stock cooler. As this does not appear to be the case, I may hold off making the switch for a bit until there are more reports of others doing it successfully. I would be happy to post a picture of the instruction manual for anyone who is interested in comparing the new NH U9S with the old one. Please just let me know and many thanks again for your detailed replies.

NeoGeo · December 2022

What you can try is setting a custom fan profile, find a setting for all the fans where it isn't too loud and still cooling efficiently, aslong as the CPU/GPU is running below 100c where it will throttle itself down, i'd say up to around 85-90c while gaming that's well within operating temps. Also running on slightly lower settings ingame be it resolution or effect settings will put less strain on the two components primarily the GPU.

I know it seems daunting before starting to do any modification but if you plan it well enough it should be like clockwork, it's hard to do damage to the boards if simple measures are taken - Disconnecting power cord and holding power button for 15 seconds, touching inside of chassis or using a anti static band. Also something to consider may be a 120mm AIO single fan radiator , some people swear by them and alot of systems come with them including the Orion 7000, Alienware, that also opens the possibility of doing a push/pull AIO sandwich mod where you have a fan on each side of the radiator, i did that before and can confirm it worked nicely to cool a 12600k.