For all our cooling reviews we test using the LGA 2011 socket and in this section we’ll be demonstrating how H80i GT is installed on this particular configuration.


STEP 1

Depending on how much space you have, it might be advisable to swap step one and two around. To begin the installation, the rear exhaust cooling fan is removed from our case and we line up the radiator/fan with the mounting holes and attach screws from the reverse of the case through the fan and radiator. It’s important to mount the first fan so that the airflow is direction out of the case (blowing away from the radiator). Once the first fan and radiator are in place, you can then apply the second fan – making sure the airflow is directed towards the radiator. Again, four long screws are used to pass through the fan and radiator.


STEP 2

Next, we apply four standoff screws to the outer socket plate, ensuring they are nice and tight.


STEP 3

The pump block is now ready to be installed. If you’ve already used the cooler before, you will need to re-apply thermal paste but if this is the first occasion – there is already paste supplied by Corsair. The block just needs to be placed over the CPU, with the mounting holes correctly aligned with the standoff screws. Once this is done, the thumbscrews can be applied to the four threads. Care should be taken to tightened in a diagonal sequence so that even pressure is applied to the CPU.


STEP 4

The last step is to connect the pump cable to the CPU fan header on the motherboard and connect the cooling fans to the connectors coming from the pump. To be able to use the Corsair LINK software its necessary to connect the micro USB to USB header cable.



Memory Clearance

Since using an X99 motherboards have memory slots on the side nearest to where the cooler is installed, it’s important to observe the clearance limitations. There is approximately 5cm of space between the bottom of the board and the bottom of the radiator/fan configuration – some taller kits could have a problem fitting.