XIGMATEK ACK-I5361 Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 Compatible Bracket Set

Pros: This bracket fit perfectly. Great solution

Cons: none

Pros: it works

Cons: a bit expensive for the simple task it's for

Other Thoughts: I have been using AMD systems for a long time which means I have never had a bracket issue. I upgraded to a 2600k and none of my heatsinks worked with socket 1155, only 1366 or older. Got this to avoid having to get a new heatsink. Works like a charm, simple enough installation.

Pros: Not much to say... it's a bracket set.

Cons: The need to purchase a bracket set for a cooler.

After using the HSF for some time I can see where the back bracket could superglue itself to the mobo causing trace leads to rip off removing it. So be sure to take your undivided time removing the back bracket after installing this.

Other Thoughts: @justinco I just bought the Dark Night which came with this bracket set. I also have the Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 motherboard. You have to use the 775 side of the back bracket and line the holes up matching the 775 holes on the other side of the mobo. It fits perfect for this board so not sure why you had issues mounting your HSF. That said don't always believe another persons review. I *almost* didn't get this cooler due to your review but couldn't pass up the deal I got on the HSF + bracket set (cheaper than the cost of this bracket set... so free HSF lol).

Pros: Does what it is supposed to do. Be aware when putting onto an LGA1155 socketed board, the holes for the bottom bracket do not line up exactly with the holes on the mainboard (at least my ASrock extreme3 gen3). The holes for the bracket are offset from the holes on the board. Takes some time but it does work, at first I thought I had the wrong part, take your time.

Cons: Instructions could be better.

Other Thoughts: Used to put a Xigmatek 3 pipe cooler onto LGA1155 socket chip.

Pros: Haven't installed yet.

Cons: The Company it comes from.

Other Thoughts: I purchased a heat sink from them. Heat sink looks great but no brackets - or any other equipment came with it (box said it would). Took >1hr to get a hold of customer service since many functions on there website/automated phone service don't work. Finally got a hold of someone - explained my situation - they insinuated I was lying - said they'd send it and send my a tracking number - 2 days later nothing - when I asked they referenced me to this page and said buy it.

I'm tempted to throw my heat sink in the trash and buy from a different company.

Pros: 1. Works well, once you figure it out
2. Clamps on very well

Cons: 1. Instructions totally blow
2. Cumbersome to get attached with large heat sink

Other Thoughts: Had a three year old Dark Knight HSF that didn't have the bracket for the newer 1155 sockets, so I had to buy this seperately, they now included it in updated models of the DK.

Pros: Seems good quality and I like the way it mounts.

Cons: WILL NOT WORK WITH V2 HEATSINKS THAT HAVE 2 MOUNTING HOLES ON EACH SIDE.

Pros: Compatible with LGA1155 mounting holes, enables you to use older generations of Xigmatek heatsinks with newer motherboards, saves you the additional cost of buying a 1155-compatible heatsink.

Cons: Should've been offered for free

Other Thoughts: I use this on my HDT-S1283 heatsink that I bought for my Core2 Q9450 CPU a while back. It was one of the better heatsinks out there. Yet while CPUs change and motherboards change, the mounting holes for heatsinks has been constantly changing. I hate that about the Intel platform, in that you always have to get a heatsink that is compatible with their new mounting spec, or find a mounting bracket/adapter that will let you use it. Intel needs to at least keep a consistent mounting methodology so that we don't have to scramble to get a new heatsink or find a bracket/adapter to reuse our old one.

Heatsink companies, because Intel keeps screwing us over with new heatsink mounting holes, should start giving away mounting brackets for free to those who requests them. The constant changes to the mounting holes is most irritating. But at least Xigmatek provides something like this so that we are able to use our heatsinks with newer motherboards.

Pros: Very sturdy bracket, the screws and springs seem much more reliable than the usual push pin system

Cons: Unfortunately because of the aforementioned screws and springs the installation if a large tower cooler is made markedly more difficult to perform, virtually impossible to do with the motherboard in the case I'd say.

Pros: Provides a way to mount the heatsink for those of us who don't have the stock mount. Never saw it, so I don't know the terminology, excuse me for that.

Cons: Does not fit my G31 LGA775 board. Screws only easily fit on one side, and with entirely too much effort, fit diagonally across from each other, providing enough support to hold the heatsink in place, despite not using all four screws.

Other Thoughts: I wouldn't have used this it all if I had the original mount, but alas, the heatsink was obtained used (or possibly not, there wasn't any thermal compound residue, it's hard to tell) (and the heatsink is a great product, in stark contrast to this mount) and as such, it did not include the mount (presumably still in use for another heatsink by its original owner).

I'm still happy that this mount exists, without it I could not use my heatsink at all, but possibly the sale of the stock mount or something specifically designed for different chipsets might be something to consider.