Installing the Cooler Master Hyper TX3 is done via 4 push-pins, not dissimilar to reference Intel coolers. The purpose is for simplicity and to appeal to users who are not willing to remove their motherboard when upgrading from stock coolers. The process is very straightforward as detailed below.


1. Screw in the four Intel retention plates ensuring that the correct mounting holes are used. These are labelled on the retention plate for ease.


2. After applying thermal paste to the CPU, remove the protective cover from the base of the cooler and rotate the push-pins clock wise such that the small indents on each face inwards. Place the heatsink on top and push the push-pins in a diagonal fashion for an even mounting pressure until you hear a click.

The method literally takes two steps so there is little to go wrong. The push-pin mechanism, whilst not as robust as methods requiring back plates, is adequate for such a lightweight cooler. The push-pins were surprisingly easily to operate and removing the cooler simply requires the push pins to be rotated anti-clockwise as indicated by the arrows on them. My main complaint is that screwing the retention plates can be time-consuming, but perhaps not as much as removing the motherboard. The only other qualm is that it does take a bit of pressure to push the push pins securely into the motherboard and doing so inside a case can induce headaches depending on your patience. With most cases not having cut-outs on the motherboard trays, back-plate based mounting mechanisms are still superior and my personal preference.