Replacing Intel CPU Heatsink Plastic Push Pins With Screws? Downgrading from Asetek 714256-001

[SoloMan89]

My HP ENVY Phoenix 810-430qe system is going on 9 years in a few months. I have an Intel I7-4790 processor that was previously paired with a Asetek 714256-001 liquid-to-air cooler. Unfortunately the pump must be wearing out as every 30 seconds or so a very loud crackling is heard that intensifies in volume and speed until it suddenly stops making noise all together, but then not long after it repeats this process over and over again, all day long.

I "downgraded" and purchased an Intel E97379-003 heatsink/fan. This heatsink normally attaches to the motherboard with those plastic push pins that everyone hates.

Unfortunately my motherboard does not have sufficient holes for this to work, as there are "nutserts" in the motherboard that appear to be non-removable and molded into the plastic, that formerly secured the water pump for the Asetek 714256-001 liquid-to-air cooler.

I currently have the Intel heatsink/fan somewhat "jerry rigged" on my processor, using a combination of the screws from the Asetek 714256-001 cooler and some washers to ensure that it fits snuggly against the processor.

However I would like to clean this up a bit and make it more professional. Are there any particular spring screws that would work for my setup much more efficiently than what I have?

I have searched and found that some other individual removed his motherboard from his case and drilled out the holes so that he could insert some BOLTS through the motherboard from the backside. I would rather not do this as, in my book, DON'T FIX IT IF IT AIN'T BROKE! I'd rather avoid the possibility of damaging further components by disassembling the entire case down to bear bones and would really like to avoid using a drill to make holes in my motherboard!

Here are my main concerns;

From what I've seen heat sinks are not smashed down onto the processor, they are all mounted with some sort of somewhat flexible mounting platform, either rubber bushings or a spring type of setup. I am concerned that my "jerry rigged" attachment may be putting too much stress on the motherboard and/or the processor itself. I am also concerned that the heatsink is not sitting squarely or centered on the processor. When I removed those plastic push pins I also had to remove their respective rubber bushings, and the bushings I am temporarily using from the Asetek water cooler do not fit properly on the Intel fan driven heatsink neither.

Secondly the thumb screws that I am using from the Asetek water cooler are too long, as the bushings used with the Asetek cooler are much longer (of course I they don't properly fit the Intel cooler regardless.)

Is there a proper cooler that I could use instead that would be compatible with my motherboard which uses a screw retention method for secure attachment rather than push pins that I should buy instead of what I had?

If there isn't, what thread size do you suppose those permanent nutserts in the motherboard are for securing the heat sink? I'd really love to replace those lengthy thumbscrews with something more appropriate.