With each CPU cooler that we test, a small pea-sized blob of Noctua NT-H1 thermal paste is applied to our CPU ahead of heatsink installation. We choose to use this high-quality paste in all of our CPU cooler reviews, essentially eliminating an unnecessary variable from the subsequent results and comparison graphs.
Installation of the heatsink to our motherboard was straightforward as we did not have to utilise the supplied backplate, as expected with Intel's 2011 socket. However, please note that if using any Intel 115X socket the backplate is required and motherboard removal from your case may therefore be required. The next step, regardless of socket, is to attach the two supplied mounting clips either side of the coolers base with the provided screws. Each mounting clip has three screw holes at each end - when referencing the image below these are for AM4, 2011 and 115X respectively when looking left to right.
Screw the four supplied screws through the mounting brackets (checking the correct ones are used, socket-dependant) into the motherboard standoffs or backplate if utilised. The heatsink should fit nicely within most mid-tower or larger cases due to its sensible 150mm height.
As referenced earlier in the article, the fan mounting mechanism is excellent due to the clips being built into the heatsink. Attaching fans can sometimes be tricky, especially when a system is already installed within a case, but Arctic's design choice here makes the process that little bit easier. Once attached, one of the fan's 4-pin plugs should be connected with the others 4-pin socket before connecting the spare 4-pin plug to the motherboards CPU fan header.
Installation of the heatsink to our motherboard was straightforward as we did not have to utilise the supplied backplate, as expected with Intel's 2011 socket. However, please note that if using any Intel 115X socket the backplate is required and motherboard removal from your case may therefore be required. The next step, regardless of socket, is to attach the two supplied mounting clips either side of the coolers base with the provided screws. Each mounting clip has three screw holes at each end - when referencing the image below these are for AM4, 2011 and 115X respectively when looking left to right.
Screw the four supplied screws through the mounting brackets (checking the correct ones are used, socket-dependant) into the motherboard standoffs or backplate if utilised. The heatsink should fit nicely within most mid-tower or larger cases due to its sensible 150mm height.
As referenced earlier in the article, the fan mounting mechanism is excellent due to the clips being built into the heatsink. Attaching fans can sometimes be tricky, especially when a system is already installed within a case, but Arctic's design choice here makes the process that little bit easier. Once attached, one of the fan's 4-pin plugs should be connected with the others 4-pin socket before connecting the spare 4-pin plug to the motherboards CPU fan header.
