Installation

The Fractal Design Kelvin S24 is relatively easy to install. First, take the Intel mounting arms and slide them into place on the CPU block/pump. Now, take the mounting screws and place the springs and the washers onto the screws, before using the nuts to hold them in place - the pump is now ready to be installed.


Now is also a good time to install the fans with the help of these pretty long screws Fractal Design provided. Fractal Design also chose to use Hex screws instead of traditional Phillips screws. While not a big deal, it is a bit of a head scratcher. Granted, a Hex key has been provided, but it is still another tool and a minor nuisance to use during the cooler's installation. With that out of the way and the fans securely mounted, the Kelvin S24 is now ready for the motherboard.


Line the backplate's small round edges up with the two screws on the back of the Intel socket. With the backplate now in place, apply Fractal Design's thermal compound or whatever other compound you prefer.


The last step is to line the four mounting screws up with the holes for the backplate, before screwing the CPU block down tight. Once fully secured, all that remains is to plug the pump and fans into the CPU fan headers. To make the job easier, Fractal Design also included a PWM Y-cable for the fans.

The mounting hardware is very good save for one issue: the Hex screws and Hex key. These are, simply put, a bad design choice. You don't have to be different just because you can be, and this is the perfect example of it. Utilizing these screws makes for a more tedious installation, and what if you lose the Hex key and don't have another one on hand? It definitely makes maintenance a pain. Let's hope they switch to Phillips head screws in the future.

Overall, on a scale of 1 (hardest) to 10 (easiest), I would rate the cooler's installation a 9. The general ease of installation is mostly due to their extremely good user guide anyone can follow; it really is an example of what a user guide should be.