CPU Cooler Upgrade for Vostro 460

Most Dells in the timeframe the Vostro 460 was made used a Dell custom motherboard.  Many things on the motherboard, including mounting holes, front panel connections are proprietary.

Dell's in that era also used proprietary fans and if a non-Dell fan is used you will get a "fan failure" notice at boot up.  It will work OK with a non-Dell fan just the failure notice at boot up.

Re: Is it just me doing it all wrong or does this old Dell Motherboard have different size holes compared to other branded Motherboards?

I am sorry that it is the former.

coolermaster tx3i uses push snap pin similar to Intel stock cooler for lga1155 cpu.  It is designed for clear untapped holes surrounding cpu socket.

vostro 460 motherboard (similar to XPS 8300 but with different bios) uses screw mounted heatsink. the holes around cpu socket are tapped.  You cannot push a snap pin through those holes.
The screw mounted design is industry standard and not Dell proprietary.

 

Ah thanks for the swift replies guys.  so guess I can only use the stock cooler . Will try get some good thermal paste to help at least. Again, appreciate the advice people!

You can use non-Dell screw mounted Heatsink if the screw thread matches tapped holes of Dell motherboard backplate.  Assuming the tapped hole thread is industry standard (?M3), you can shop around.  For example this one has a copper cold plate.  But it has a 3 pin connector.  Ideally you want a cooler with 4-pin fan connector such as this one.

Just verify Dell stock cooler screw thread is ?M3 and match that with aftermarket cooler.

PS Dell OEM back plate is fixed on backside of motherboard and also serves as fastener of cpu socket mount mechanism, aka Independent Loading Mechanism (ILM).  you cannot remove it.

Its looks exactly like the one in the picture on your previous reply I think, not sure about it being M3 thread though (apologies as I am not too techy when it comes to PC builds). 

I'm gathering from this is that as long as the cpu cooler has the same screw thread type I can put it in seeing as I won't be able to take the back plate off?

why do i see this so much on dell forums firebird is way off shouldn't even have commented! its worse to give false info then to just say sorry i dont know.

the 115X cooling mount can be removed from underneath and replaced with a standard locking plate if the board does not have the plastic bracket that is just sticky taped on like mine did/does  

secondly none of the plugs are proprietary, fan plugs, usbs, rear audio and front io shields plug directly into any custom case found online i have done this a few times and its easier to just follow the wires back from the stock power switch than to find a pinout online for where they go 

i have a i7 3770 on my 460 board running 16gb 1600 and a msi 1050ti with a hyper 212 push pull running with a spliiter, no fans errors ..front usb and audio works and so does the power button, hdd and power led ! 

sorry i couldn't post sooner.