Installation

When it comes to installing the Pure Loop 2 FX 280, be quiet!'s mounting hardware is fairly easy to use, although not perfect. To get started, you will need to remove the plastic brackets used on every AM4 motherboard. Next, secure the backplate by using the AMD screws and spacers to hold the two mounting arms in place. I would have preferred to see standoffs here rather than plastic since it would make the process a great deal quicker.


At this point, apply the provided thermal paste or use your own preferred paste if you have one. Once that task is done, you can then mount the CPU block. Once they are in place, tighten them down but be gentle and alternate between sides to get even pressure for best performance.


With the pump now secure, I attached the radiator to the chassis and installed the fans. The process is pretty straightforward, with no real headaches to be encountered.


The last step is to connect the ARGB / PWM hub to the CPU fan header, and motherboard ARGB header respectively. Then plug the fans, pump, and ARGB connectors into the hub. Since the hub piggybacks off of the motherboard there is no software needed.

Overall, the installation is pretty straightforward on AMD and Intel, although the Intel mounting hardware feels a bit more refined. While it does utilize a few more parts, it is a bit easier to work with since the included backplate is fully secured before adding the mounting brackets. While not the best mounting solution, it worked just fine regardless of platform.