[section_title title=”Installation”]
Installation
When it came to installing this beast it was by far the easiest step-by-step install for an air cooler that I’ve come across for a while, in fact it’s possibly the easiest install for any cooler I’ve tested so far after an Intel stock-cooler-type system and that’s saying something. Just watch the video below if you don’t believe me – almost every step is completed in real time, you are looking at a maximum of 3-5 minutes to install. Though, if your 4-pin CPU fan socket is close to the CPU itself I would install that wire before you place the block on – especially if you are installing this in a case.
This installation video is from the Cryorig website.
I don’t think I could describe the steps any clearer, nor could I offer any other suggestions than possibly installing the wire earlier in the process. I will however list the steps exactly as they’re shown in case you cannot view the video for any reason.
- Install the back plate after setting the screw adjustment to fit the correct socket,
- Screw in the middle section screw piece to tighten the backplate and keep it in place,
- Next, fit the crossbars and screw them in place, the indent should face in toward the CPU,
- Add a small blob of thermal paste, we use Noctua NH-T1 in all our cooler reviews for continuity (that way we are testing only the physical block and not their paste as well),
- Finally use the included long screwdriver tool to screw the block to the crossbars,
- Attach the fan’s power cable to the motherboard and you are done.
It all sounds just idyllic, but there were some small issues I faced… I use an mATX motherboard on the testbench and that means only two slots for the RAM. Due to the size of my RAM heatsinks I had to remove and discard one stick. Also, there would be no chance of using a GPU if I wanted to without the use of an extension cable. As I warned earlier, this is not the ideal cooler if you use tall RAM and definitely not if you have an mATX motherboard. Even some full ATX motherboards will struggle depending on their PCIe x16 socket placement.
As far as fitting this beast if your motherboard is inside the case, well as long as you have a cut-out on the motherboard tray then you should have no problems. Of course, you will have to do the measurements to make sure that it will physically fit, and Cryorig will even help you out there. You can download a fitting stencil that you cut out and put together. I did not try this… My arts and craft ability has not improved since school and back then I wasn’t even trusted with the ‘sharp scissors’. If you want to try it for yourself, then go here for the download.
