Description
TL;DR: This general tutorial walks through installing a CPU water block on Intel LGA 115X, 1200, 1700, 2011 (X99) and 2066 (X299), and AMD AM4, AM5, TR4 and sTRX4. It covers fitting the matching backplate and stand-offs, cleaning the integrated heat spreader with isopropyl alcohol, applying a pea-sized...
This general tutorial walks through installing a CPU water block on Intel LGA 115X, 1200, 1700, 2011 (X99) and 2066 (X299), and AMD AM4, AM5, TR4 and sTRX4. It covers fitting the matching backplate and stand-offs, cleaning the integrated heat spreader with isopropyl alcohol, applying a pea-sized dot or short strip of thermal paste, seating the block flat with no twisting, and tightening the mounting screws in a diagonal cross pattern in small increments so contact pressure stays even across the IHS. It then covers fitting G1/4 fittings, tubing the loop and running a 24-hour pump-only leak test before powering up.
Q: How much thermal paste should I apply?
A: A pea-sized dot in the centre of the IHS, or a short thin strip for rectangular Threadripper IHS. The cooler mount pressure spreads it evenly.
Q: In what order should I tighten the mounting screws?
A: In a diagonal cross pattern, half a turn at a time per screw, until all screws bottom out. This keeps the cold plate flat against the IHS.
Q: Do I need to remove the old backplate?
A: On Intel and AM5/AM4 the stock backplate usually has to come off and be replaced with the block's own backplate. On TR4/sTRX4 the socket has integrated stand-offs and uses no separate backplate.
Q: Should I leak test with the CPU installed?
A: Yes, but power the pump alone using a 24-pin ATX jumper for 12 to 24 hours and leave the motherboard 24-pin unplugged until you are satisfied no fitting weeps.
Q: Does delidding require a different block?
A: No, but a delidded chip benefits more from high-conductivity paste (8-11 W/mK) because the cold plate now sits much closer to the die.