Installation

Installing the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240P Mirage is not difficult, but can be daunting with all the various screws, bolts, nuts, and other hardware. For Intel's mainstream platforms you will need to prepare the backplate by putting the threaded nuts into position before securing them with the proper plastic clips. Next, you will need to prepare the pump/block by attaching the proper mounting arms with the smaller screws.


Next, secure the backplate to the motherboard using the proper screw pillars for your platform. At this stage, I also took the time to mount the radiator as it will make cable routing a bit easier for me personally later on.


With everything prepared, it is time to apply the thermal paste and mount the pump/block to the motherboard using the smaller Phillips-head nuts. With the block attached, we can move on to the final steps.


All that remains is to mount the fans to the radiator and connect up all the wiring, which is a bit of a pain since Cooler Master's documentation in the box is lackluster as they instead rely on an online guide. Said guide is a great deal better than what is provided in the box, but it is not perfect.

Put another way, the ARGB lighting setup used by Cooler Master may have a great deal of versatility, but the lack of documentation in the box kills it compared to competing products from the likes of Deepcool, Corsair, and others that are far easier to install via a hub, motherboard or USB with software. They lack the miscellaneous wire harnesses and extras that leave the Cooler Master setup feeling overly complex for first-time builders, especially as it boils down to a bunch of pretty lights and a couple of effects. Don't get me wrong—it works fine once set up and is just overly convoluted. That said, if you're reading this review and plan on buying this unit, here is a link to the product's download page in order for you to quickly access what you will need.

Overall, I would rate the installation process for the ML240P Mirage a 6 on a scale of 1 (hardest) to 10 (easiest). In general, mounting the cooler is extremely easy; however, the excess wiring, hub, and various extras mean there is a bit of a mess to hide behind the motherboard tray, along with a bit of trial and error in regards to what options you should be using until you dig through the product page to find better instructions.