I decided to switch my CPU from liquid to air cooled. The EKWB water block uses it’s own proprietary backplate.
I found out that backplate has different screw threads than the original AMD backplate.
Thank goodness I kept the original in the box of computer parts, because without it I wouldn’t have been able to install the air cooler…
Moral of the story: Keep those old parts you replaced. I never thought I’d switch back to an air cooled CPU, but here I am.
I did it because I bought a water block for my GPU, and I didn’t want to go throught the expense of adding another radiator, more fittings, and more tubing so I could liquid cool both the CPU and GPU. The GPU pumps out a ton of heat into the chassis when it’s air cooled.
I’m guessing an air cooled CPU and water cooled GPU will reduce that heat load. I got the GPU block I wanted on a clearance sale at EKWB, and couldn’t resist. My closed-loop setup (pump/reservoir, 240mm radiator) should be plenty to keep the GPU cool enough - hopefully even cooler, so I can mess around with overclocking it some more.)