Installation

To install the Gigabyte G-Power 2 Pro, the motherboard needs to be completely removed from the system. For an LGA775 installation, the two Intel brackets, four screws, four nuts and the backplate are required. The two brackets get attached to the base with the four small screws.


Like many backplates, the one included with the kit has an adhesive layer on it to secure it into place while mounting. The paper cover gets removed and the backplate needs to be lined up with the mounting holes around the socket and pressed into place. The next step was to place the heatsink over the CPU and tighten down the nuts from the bottom of the motherboard, which proved to be incredibly awkward. The best solution was for me to hold the base of the heatsink in my hand with the cooler upside down, lay the motherboard on top, then attached and tighten the nuts. When placed upside down the heatsink cannot stand upright on a work surface. It would have been so much easier if the screws were attached to the backplate instead of the brackets. That way, the backplate could be attached to the motherboard, then the heatsink could be tightened down from the top of the motherboard. However, I was told by Gigabyte that the mounting system was designed this way due to limited amount of room around the socket, as there were concerns of how to get a screwdriver into the area. Also, they felt mounting from the bottom provided a more secure mounting, especially when transporting the system.


Immediately the heatsink was removed and the contact area was inspected. The compound had spread nicely, and there was a suction effect when the cooler was removed.


With the heatsink reinstalled, the motherboard seems dwarfed by the presence of the G-Power 2 Pro. However, it is clearly visible that Gigabyte's intention of Mosfet cooling will definitely be accomplished.


There seemed to be no clearance issues around the CPU socket. When the motherboard was installed on the motherboard tray, there was only a small gap of less than 1/2" between the heatsink and the rear case fan. The view from above shows that the heatsink comes right up to the top of the motherboard.


When trying to slide the removable motherboard tray back into the case, a problem occurred. The Lian Li PC-A10 has a security loop at the top of the case, and the extra case material around it came in contact with the fan shroud. If the loop was not located in this position the tray should have been able to slide in all the way, but another issue would have occurred. Again, the Lian Li PC-A10's unusual design meant the top mounted fan would come in contact with the cooler. The only solution to this was to leave the tray sticking out about three or four inches so testing could be completed. However, I was able to install the G-Power 2 Pro in a different full tower case without any problems.


When powered on, the three blue LEDs behind the fan light up brightly. At 5V, they are considerably dimmer.