A Simpler Solution To X-clamp Conundrum?, screwing the heatsinks to the motherboard through the case, rather tha Options

[MagnetiCube]

Alright, so I did a bit of reading as to possible solutions to the RROD Xbox 360 I bought, and it seems as though the x-clamps are a major hindrance to the whole "working" thing that it's supposed to be doing. The most popular solution seems to be to get some washers and bolts to fit the heatsinks onto the motherboard more loosely without any warping. However, I noticed that there are screws that go through the metal chassis straight into the stubs on the heatsinks. Is it advisable to just use the heatsink stubs to mount the heatsinks and motheroard in place, or should I get some washers and bolts?

[Avinitlarge]

I refit the X-clamps after a reflow or reball. Im still seeing 2005 Xenons that are un opened so they have lasted 7 years with the original X-clamps. 7 years from now, the 360 will be obsolete anyway so what it matter?

[MagnetiCube]

I'm aware that x-clamps don't ALWAYS cause RROD, hence some 2006 models still working fine. But I do know that they are a faulty design, and can contribute to RROD. I'm just wondering if it would be beneficial to leave the x-clamps out entirely, just securing the heatsinks on by screwing them through the mobo and chassis if I didn't want to or was unable to get ahold of all the bolts and washers needed to do the standard fix.

[Avinitlarge]

I suppose you could but some foam would need putting under the CPU and gpu do they are pushed against the heat sinks. 4 or 5mm should do it

[relaxxx]

False!

X-CLAMPS HAVE NEVER EVER been the CAUSE of ANY Xbox failure!!!!

They DO NOT warp the board and they certainly are not the cause of long term heat stress damage.

The primary cause of failure is insufficient cooling, poor airflow, poor fan speeds that favor quietness over long life.

Also, on SOME 360's, especially the old Xenons, The metal CASE itself caused warpage leaving not enough space for the x-clamps around the standoff clip area. The caused the motherboard to warp. These systems are easily identified by the motherboard corners not wanting to lay flush around the connectors when all the screws are removed.

Also the black screws on the bottom DEFEAT the X-clamp spring balance and should be tossed in the garbage.

Non of these failures have anything really to do with the X-clamps themselves. X-clamps causing failure has always been a sadly misinformed internet myth.

The only reason BOLTS temporarily fix RROD is because they do warp the board and crush the broken BGA contacts back together by brute force.

It's sad that 6 years of internet misinformation is still going strong today.

This post has been edited by relaxxx: Sep 4 2012, 12:32 AM

[iateshaggy]

i love how this crap is still propagated. m$ overclocked the fuck out of the first 2 gpu's causing them to fail, quite simple.

[sinclairuser]

i love how this crap is still propagated. m$ overclocked the fuck out of the first 2 gpu's causing them to fail, quite simple.

bravo man let the truth propagate for a change but i have to say the leadfree solder did not help i personally think that the faliure rate would have been lower
but let this xclamp crap die now sod it i'm tired of it
its cheaper to replace than to truly repair an 05,06,07 360 anyway

[justathief]

False!

X-CLAMPS HAVE NEVER EVER been the CAUSE of ANY Xbox failure!!!!

/ snip

Also the black screws on the bottom DEFEAT the X-clamp spring balance and should be tossed in the garbage.

Non of these failures have anything really to do with the X-clamps themselves. X-clamps causing failure has always been a sadly misinformed internet myth.

The only reason BOLTS temporarily fix RROD is because they do warp the board and crush the broken BGA contacts back together by brute force.

It's sad that 6 years of internet misinformation is still going strong today.

^This...
I got so sick of all those "rrod fixes" topics years ago, I automatically block them out of my view, but it never seems to stick in peoples brain though...

Many paths could have been taken to prevent this disaster, for instance, if you just use a CPU cooler, the GPU never gets hot, not even after 12+ hours running, so then it wouldn't have caused any major warping...

[xboxhaxorz]

http://xmoddz.com/truth-about-x-clamps