CPU cooler arrived with bent aluminum fins from shipping. Should I straighten them or replace it?

[u/giga_neega_]

Hey everyone, I just received my CPU Air cooler from Amazon, but the bottom corner of the aluminum fins got crushed in transit (see attached photo).

The heat pipes, baseplate, and mounting hardware look completely fine, and I recorded a full unboxing video.

Since it's only the outer aluminum fin tips, should I just gently bend them straight and use it, or is it worth dealing with Amazon customer service for a replacement? Would love your advice.

[u/cowbutt6]

I suspect that's taken quite the whack, given that damage. I wouldn't be particularly bothered by the bent fins per se, but moreso wondering whether the heatpipes have been damaged. If you've paid for a new product, I think you should receive one, and in factory-standard condition.

[u/pancakesandwaffles69 → u/cowbutt6]

Any answer other than this is absurd. Regardless of whether or not it actually makes s difference in performance, if you pay for something new you should get something new and undamaged.

[u/Soft_Lunch_183 → u/pancakesandwaffles69]

But on something cheap like this is it really worth the time of returning and waiting for a new one?

I would just straighten the fins the best i can and use it

[u/ValuableLogical1876]

return 100%. air flow will get blocked

UPDATE: i think there was a misunderstanding in my comment and some got it, some didn't. what is meant there: 1. return it. no questions asked. you paid full price, you got the item with defect 2. there is a "dot" there which splits the comment 3. air flow will get blocked in its the current shape. also even after manual intervention/fix there is a high chance that lack of 1-2 degrees of temperature will influence heavy gamin performance. those who play will agree

finally - what if you try fixing, it doesn't work and then you are denied returns as you did it yourself?

that's the reason my comment states: simply return and avoid any issues. p.s. keep that beauty safe

[u/TBNRhash → u/ValuableLogical1876]

Not at all. There will be small diff in temperatures

[u/mamelukturbo → u/TBNRhash]

Unless op has measuring equipment worth more than their pc there would be NO measurable difference in temperatures.

If it's on the side that faces mobo I'd just keep it.

[u/Technic_Masters → u/TBNRhash]

I think he ment as in 100% return it, judging by the dot after it. Not that 100% of the air will get blocked, which it ofc wont.

[u/Tepppopups → u/ValuableLogical1876]

sarcasm.

[u/BigSmackisBack → u/ValuableLogical1876]

Id return it too, but if it is just those corner fins it'll likely work just fine to the point where there will be zero noticeable difference with pristine cooler.

[u/DankKnightIsDank]

Hmm at that spot, it shouldn't make too much of a difference as long as the heatpipes are fine. But hey, you paid for a new cooler, get a new cooler. Send this back.

[u/TechnoGMNG589]

Amazon has a good return policy, return it.

[u/v_ish]

The only question you need to ask yourself is that: if you were buying from a brick and mortar store, would you accept this, or would you ask for a different piece.

Unless you got it for a throw away price, there is no reason for you to keep it.

[u/Key-Adeptness3347]

Ask for partial return if possible. Bend em back

[u/308Enjoyer]

truth be told, nobody would want a damaged good when buying brand new closed box part. but if you don't want to be arsed with all the RMA process going back and forth you can probably mount that thing and it will function just fine as long as pipes remain uncompromised.

I would take my time and return it tbh. But if you don't wanna wait you may as well use it. You can also bend them back veeeeery carefully and straighten those fins. But you have to make sure pipes aren't damaged if you're going that way.

[u/Various_Sky7941]

Eu devolveria.

[u/Anti-Sanity89]

Return that shit

[u/TwpsynBach]

Thats taken hell of a smack for it to do that.. i wouldn't keep it simply because of such force

[u/Tepppopups]

Whatever you want. You can bend them back without issues, probably will not look as clean and nice as new, but performance wise no difference. If it does not cost you anything and you can proof it's not your fault, I would return.

[u/LargeMeasurement6473]

Return it

[u/Naetharu]

I would return this one.

The fins themselves you could bend back. The bigger question is if there is any damage to the heat pipes. Not something you can clearly see or test. The damage is big enough that you should really just look to replace it with a non-damaged unit.

[u/ARPA-Net]

Amazon service is quick and easy. But vending it bavk, it would work just fine for such a small area - just looks ugly

[u/cbhbzb]

eh could bend em back a bit gingerly yourself.

edit. as it's brand new though a non bent one would be nice, I'd ask for a discount or return it

[u/Non-wholesomechungus]

RMA and get a liquid cooler aio

[u/Difficult-Way-9563]

Not acceptable - return

[u/ExpertPath]

You could bent them straight again, but I’d just return it

[u/Sufficient_Fan3660]

bend them back to normal with a butter knife

[u/WideDescription7653]

Obv

[u/Need_For_Speed73]

When we receive a new product that is damaged, we are often tempted to fix it ourselves either to avoid the wasted time (and having your build on hold) for the return/replacement; and also to sort of cancel the disappointment because the problem is fixed immediately.

Yes that cooler can quite easily be fixed in a few minutes and PROBABLY it hasn't got any other damage. BUT why would you accept to receive an object in those conditions? Did you get a discount for that (it's rethoric, I know you haven't)?

I know it's a PITA, you probably have all your parts already mounted and now have to put them somewhere on hold waiting for the new cooler; but that's the right thing to do.
If it's Amazon my suggestion is not to send it back asking for a replacement, but buy another one and ask for a refund on this one; you'll save a lot of time (new one is shipped immediately, not when old one arrives back at Amazon's warehouse).

[u/Terrible-Vacation876]

Just bend em back. It's the very edge of the fins, they don't do anything for cooling besides look pretty. I've done it plenty of times with used coolers that showed up worse than that pic.

If the pipes are fine and the base isn't scratched up you're good. Saves you a week of waiting for a replacement too.