The Corsair Cooling™ Hydro Series H50 CPU Cooler gives you the power of liquid cooling in a compact, easy-to-install package. Product Information 3DGameMan Video Review I will be installing this cooler on an
Evga P55 SLI motherboard in an
Antec 900 case. This guide is meant to help those who have never installed aftermarket cooling or those simply interested in the H50. I picked the H50 because it provides ample cooling power without the weight of super-sinks.
Before
What you get: H50 Closed-Loop Cooling Unit (3-pin fan plug)
Corsair 120mm Fan (4-pin CPU fan plug)
LGA 775/1156/1366 Backplate
LGA 775/1156/1366 Retention Ring
AM2/AM3 Backplate
AM2/AM3 Retention Ring
Misc Mounting Hardware
First you'll want to remove your motherboard and stock CPU cooler. If you've never removed a stock "push-pin" cooler its quite simple. Using the arrow guides on the pin heads, turn them 90 degrees. Once turned you can gently lift each pin and then remove the unit.
Next you will want to prepare the backplate. The backplate for Intel boards supports LGA 775/1156/1366 sockets. To adapt this generic plate to your specific socket, push the metal "bolt receivers" into the proper holes (1 on each corner). Each hole is labeled by socket type.
Backplate (flipped over) with receivers installed for LGA 1156.
Next you will want to mount the backplate to the backside of your motherboard. Corsair includes 2 small strips of foam adhesive to hold on the plate and provide cushion.
Before using the adhesive strips make sure the backplate will have no mounting issues (everything lines up correctly). Here is a "before and after" picture of it mounted. It may sit crooked depending on socket used. This is normal for adaptable backplates.
With the backplate mounted you can reinstall the motherboard. I suggest you assemble the "retention ring" and make sure it will mount. The ring is the tricky part and our half-way mark so go smoke a cigarette first.
You will have 2 types of "plastic adapters" which snap into the ring. Use the provided manual to determine which set you'll need for your socket type. The ones for LGA 1156 have 2 bolt holes per adapter. Furthermore, LGA 1156 will use the hole (on the adapter) that will sit closest to the center of the ring.
Corsair provided 2 types of retention ring "mounting bolts".
1 set has fine/small threads. These fit the metal receivers on the backplate and were the obvious choice. The other set have larger and sharper threads. I
assumed these were provided to mount the ring to other types of backplates.
a) Select and snap in the proper plastic adapters.
b) Determine which of the adapter holes you will need.
c) Screw (or push) the bolts into proper adapter holes.
Line up the retention ring over your CPU and screw in bolts. Don't fully tighten, just get them started.
Now we will start mounting the radiator. I'll be using the Antec 900 rear 120mm exhaust fan. First I will need to flip this fan to use it as a "cool air intake" for the radiator. I will also be replacing the short fan screws with the provided "long bolts" for radiator mounting.
With the fan turned around and motherboard back in (sorry, no pics of that process) use the provided "long bolts" to remount the fan and radiator
all at once. The bolts go thru the case, thru the fan and thread directly into the radiator.
Remove the plastic cover from the heatsink/pump and place it into the retention ring. Once inside the ring
rotate the sink slightly until its tabs line up under the retention ring. Tighten down the retention ring slowly for equal pressure.
Amazingly, the adaptable plate and ring still allows you to perfectly align the Corsair text. Someone did their math.
Plug everything in and you'll be good to go!
After
Note: If you want a "push/pull" setup you will need to find/buy/get/steal 4 more long bolts for the 2nd fan.
<message edited by Beatinguts on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 12:45 PM>