For the installation process, we’ll be showcasing LGA1700 and more specifically the Intel 12900K. The first part of the install requires you to locate the Intel backplate an attach the four screws. Depending on the Intel socket type, you’ll need to position these screws in position 1 or 2. We are using position 2.


Next, we need to pass this plate and its screws through the mounting holes on the motherboard, from the reverse side as shown above. This part can be tricky because the top two screws can fall away from the back of the board due to gravity. We would have liked to see Noctua include some adhesive to keep the plate fixed in place.


Now we have to locate the two mounting bars and position them over the screws, on the other side of the motherboard. Screws then needs to be tightened on this front side, and thermal paste applied to the CPU. Noctua recommends 5 blobs, 4 small towards the corners, and 1 large in the middle.


The last step is to place the CPU cooler over the CPU, line up the mounting screws and then tighten the screws using the Torx screwdriver that Noctua supplies. This does require you to remove the middle cooling fan. We also advice you to do a few turns of each screw, and then move to the other, and continue in this sequence to apply even pressure until tight.

All that is left is to grab the Y-cable, plug in the two cooling fan cables, and then locate the “CPU Fan” header on the board, and attach the Y-cable to this header.


And here is the finished look. The process is simple, and the results look incredible!

(Note: We did have to remove our tall memory kit (45mm tall) from this board due to compatibility issues. If you do have a kit over 30mm you may have problems with fitment.