Installation

Installing the Alphacool Core Ocean T38 240 mm requires a bit of assembly. First, slide the proper brackets onto the pump housing until they click together. Next, put the spring and then the necessary washers onto the screws, before securing them to the bracket with the nuts.


On AMD systems, you must use the backplate included with your motherboard. Therefore you will need to remove the plastic brackets. Next, apply some thermal paste, after which you must line the pump block screws up with the backplate and then tighten them down. Depending on how well you lined everything up, this process will be rather tedious, since the screw holes on the pump bracket have some play and are not matched exactly to the backplate. While this improves socket compatibility, there are better solutions.


It is now time to secure the radiator to the chassis and follow that up by attaching the fans. Once done, you can plug in the pump, fans, and ARGB cables, after which your cooler is good to go.

Overall, the installation is pretty straightforward on AMD and Intel, however it can be improved. Threaded standoffs are everyone's friend and would make this process easier. Rather than trying to keep a backplate secure while also lining up four screws at the same time. There is at least double-sided tape on the Intel front to keep the backplate from moving around. Swapping to AMD, all you have to work with is your hands. Thus the installation process will leave you feeling like you need a third hand. So while the mounting hardware worked as intended regardless of platform, it definitely feels archaic and in need of a revamp.