Installation is a very process despite the number of small components present. Even inside a case, installation is straight forward as long as the backplate is installed into place.


1. The first step is to insert the rivets into the appropriate backplate holes. The outermost ones correspond to LGA1366 and going inwards, there are the LGA 1156/1155 holes followed by the LGA775 ones. For LGA 775 systems, the spacer has to be placed onto the backplate.


2. Place the O-rings on each rivet to secure them.


3. Place the backplate behind the motherboard and screw in the shorter end of the double end stud from the top side of the motherboard.


4. Put the aluminium strip adapters on each side of the heatsink using the corresponding holes. Make sure that the innermost holes face towards the middle of the socket.


5. Secure the aluminium strip adapters using the screw nuts.


6. Apply a blob of thermal paste on the CPU and place the heatsink on top. Slide in the aluminium mounting plate so that the middle is inserted into the heatsink itself and the ends line up with the holes on the strip adapters. Use the silver spring-loaded screws to secure the mounting plate into place.

The installation is very straight forward and the aluminium construction of the mounting kit ensures that the system is robust without fear of the cooler dislodging. One important when using the spring-loaded screws is that the black ones exceed Intel’s recommended pressure and may cause damage over time so users should install these at their own discretion.