To install a CPU cooler, mount the backplate behind the motherboard if required, apply thermal paste to the CPU, lower the cooler straight down without twisting, and tighten the mounting screws evenly in a crossing pattern. For a liquid cooler, also mount the radiator and connect the pump cable.
- Install the CPU and apply thermal paste before mounting the cooler.
- Tighten mounting screws evenly, in a crossing pattern, not one at a time.
- Connect the fan or pump cable to the CPU_FAN header, not a case fan header.
- Liquid coolers also need the radiator mounted with fans facing the right way.
Air Cooler Installation
- Install the backplate behind the motherboard if your cooler needs one, before the board goes in the case if possible.
- Install the CPU and apply thermal paste, following how to install a CPU.
- Attach the cooler’s mounting bracket to the standoffs or backplate, following the manual for coolers such as Noctua’s air coolers.
- Lower the cooler straight down onto the CPU, without sliding or twisting it.
- Tighten the mounting screws evenly, a little at a time on each one in a crossing pattern, rather than fully tightening one before moving to the next.
- Connect the fan cable to the header labeled CPU_FAN on the motherboard.
Liquid Cooler (AIO) Installation
- Decide where the radiator will mount, usually the case’s top or front, and check clearance for its thickness and fans.
- Install the CPU and thermal paste as with an air cooler.
- Mount the pump block onto the CPU using its bracket, tightening evenly in a crossing pattern, similar to Corsair’s AIO coolers.
- Mount the radiator and fans to the case, orienting fans to pull cool air in or push hot air out depending on your case’s airflow layout.
- Connect the pump cable to the CPU_FAN header, and the radiator fans to case fan headers or a fan hub.
Warning: never let the pump run without the fan or CPU header connected correctly, since the motherboard uses that signal to detect a fan failure and can shut down to protect the CPU if it doesn’t see one.
Checking the Result
After the build is closed up, boot and confirm the fans are spinning in BIOS or Windows. Run a CPU stress test using HWiNFO to log results, and compare temperatures against what CPU temp is too high. If temperatures seem too high for the cooler you installed, check the mounting pressure is even before assuming the paste or cooler itself is at fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which way should CPU cooler fans face?
Toward the direction of your case’s overall airflow, usually pulling air from the front or bottom and pushing it toward the rear or top exhaust.
Do I need a backplate for every cooler?
Not always. Many modern motherboards include a built-in backplate for the stock socket, and some coolers use it directly instead of shipping their own.
How tight should CPU cooler screws be?
Snug and even across all corners, tightened gradually in a crossing pattern. Overtightening isn’t necessary and can risk damage on some mounting systems.
Can I install a CPU cooler without removing the motherboard?
Sometimes, depending on the case and cooler size, but it’s easier and safer to mount coolers, especially backplates, before the board is installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which way should CPU cooler fans face?
Toward the direction of your case’s overall airflow, usually pulling air from the front or bottom and pushing it toward the rear or top exhaust.
Do I need a backplate for every cooler?
Not always. Many modern motherboards include a built-in backplate for the stock socket, and some coolers use it directly instead of shipping their own.
How tight should CPU cooler screws be?
Snug and even across all corners, tightened gradually in a crossing pattern. Overtightening isn’t necessary and can risk damage on some mounting systems.
Can I install a CPU cooler without removing the motherboard?
Sometimes, depending on the case and cooler size, but it’s easier and safer to mount coolers, especially backplates, before the board is installed.
