This $10 Gadget Can Save Your Computer

We may receive a commission on purchases made through links.

Desktop computer users may notice their chips overheating during intensive tasks, such as when gaming on a PC. But those who have experienced performance issues because the chip isn’t properly cooled should check out this $10 gadget on Amazon that might fix their problems: the Thermalright CPU Contact Frame V2, which works with LGA 1700 sockets and several Intel chips, including the 12th, 13th, and 14th generation. The component is designed specifically for this chip and motherboard combination. Owners of computers using different chips in their setup who experience any problems related to heating will not be provided with this part.

The Thermalright Contact Frame ensures that Intel processor chips are not sensitive to slight bending or bending over time, as can happen with automatic components. As you will see in the YouTube Shorts video below, the affected Intel chips are rectangular, which can cause the stock Integrated Loading Mechanism (ILM) to adjust the CPU in the socket to apply pressure unevenly. As a result, the CPU’s Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) can bend, making it difficult for the coolant to reach the center and leading to overheating and performance issues. Published in the summer of 2024, the video has reached four million views, suggesting that many desktop users may be affected by this issue.

The aluminum Thermalright Contact Frame replaces the lever previously installed on the motherboard for LGA 1700. Next, the power is used evenly, since the $10 Amazon desktop accessory has a rectangular shape that better matches the design of the CPU. This can lead to better cooling and improved performance.

Intel chip bending issues have been widely covered over the past few years, with several reports explaining how bending occurs and why it can reduce performance. However, Intel told Tom’s Hardware in April 2022 that it was not aware of 12th Gen Intel Core processors “running out of specification due to changes in the integrated heat spreader.” The company acknowledges that some slight bending is expected and possible, but that it does not cause the chip to perform differently than expected. Intel also warned against adding accessories to the socket or ILM, such as a contact frame, as this could void the CPU’s warranty.

User information is different from Intel’s claims. Tests have shown that bending the CPU can cause heat problems. One Amazon reviewer of the Thermalright Contact Frame explained that he saw the Intel i9-12900K reach temperatures close to 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit), close to thermal shock. After replacing the motherboard’s ILM bracket with a $10 contact frame, cooling improved, with temperatures not exceeding 85 degrees Celsius (185 degrees Fahrenheit) during heavy load. The customer was so confident in the results that he later made a similar upgrade to his wife’s desktop PC, ordering another Thermalright Contact Frame before installing a new Intel CPU.

This useful PC component has an average review score of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 252 reviews. That said, it is up to each PC owner to decide whether or not to replace the motherboard lever with a Thermalright Contact Frame part. While replacing the part involves removing four screws, replacing the default ILM with a new contact frame, and replacing four screws, not all users are comfortable doing this process on their own. And, as Intel noted, you can void your warranty.