Hi ThereI have built a couple of machines over the years - and find that they all have their little idiosynchrasies.My last machine was an AMDxp 2400. With that one it was quite difficult to install the cpu heatsink. The cpu slid into the "frictionless" base holder easily - but to attach the heatsink you had to connect a steel spring to one side of the cpu base and then very carefully push the other side down with a screwdriver. One slip and you could push the screwdriver through the motherboard.So with that machine, despite the recomendations to install the motherbard into the case first and then install the cpu/heatsink - it was far easier to install them onto the motherboard first before placing the MOBO into the case.Now the first thing I notice with this new Intel E6600 Core2duo is that the cpu/heatsink combination is MASSIVE. I nearly fell over when I opened the box. So what do you recommend - installing it all onto the MOBO first - or install the MOBO into the case first?Thanks for any help from those who have installed one.Barry

That my friend is the question of the century. I installed my own E6400 and it's fan/sink are massive as you said. I had a terribly difficult time and wished that I had had the component store I bought it from install it. I thouhgt I was going to break it!! Anyway, I installed mine BEFORE I put the mobo in the box. I frankly dont think it makes a difference but my box is smallish and I am glad I had the extra space to work with and around. Be careful though, I have installed many Intel CPUs and this was by far the largest and most difficult to get those pins to hook into the board!! Good luck!Randy Jura, KPDX

My first E6400, I installed the HSF after I put the motherboard in the case. It was VERY HARD - though I was going to bust the mobo pushing the corner posts down. Just build an E4300 system for my son. This time I installed the HSF while the mobo was out of the case - MUCH EASIER! However, we had a bit of fun trying to get the mobo into the case with the HSF on, but not as bad as trying to fit the HSF on after installing the mobo in the case.Gary

That was my problem Gary, pushing the thing into the board and getting the posts to lock down!! Sheeeesh! Randy Jura, KPDX

>Now the first thing I notice with this new Intel E6600>Core2duo is that the cpu/heatsink combination is MASSIVE. IThat was interesting. I have considered upgrading to this from my corrent AMD 64 3200+. And my current cpu/heatsink comes just a couple of cm from my PSU. Could I get into trouble if I replace it with Core2duo? How massive do you have any numbers?

It will come close, but should fit as the stock HSF does not extend beyond the mobo boundaries.Here's a live action shot of my E6400 installation, with the Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 Pro HSF instead of the stock one. Please excuse the mess - I'm experimenting with fans ATM :-)http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/175606.jpgIt's cosy, but it fits.Gary

In my case it's different. The PSU is situated above the CPU so it's the height of the CPU heatsink assembly that matters. And in the pic it looks higher than my current CPU.

Hi Barry,ALWAYS put the CPU and Heatsink on the mobo first, before you put it into the case. Couple of reasons are that you need to apply a little bit of pressure to put the heatsink in its place, If you do that when the mobo is already in the case, you might run the risk of causing a short, if you didn't use spacers in all the right places, or having pressed a bit too hard causing the solds to touch the aluminum base of the case.Another reason is, that many 3rd party heatsink, require you to place a backplate on the back of the mobo, you cant get there when you've screwed it in the case and another reason its way easier to test the board outside of the case when it for some reason wont lets you boot. There are a few more, but those three are definatly one of the most important ones.PS: If you think the the stock heatsink is big, you'll get shocked by some of the 3rd party ones, like the Asus Silent Knight (what i use on another system E6600 @ 3.7Ghz),the Scythe Ninja PLUS, Thermaltake Big Typhoon or another fine example the Sunbeam Tuniq Tower 120

I have built many computers over the years and you should ALWAYS put the CPU and heat-sink on first. This is a must of all the reasons mentioned.Andrew

Here's a video you can look at from Intel on installing the massive heat sink! :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6NbPMQgwPM...%2F87118%2Easpx