Installation

Installing the Optimus Foundation CPU block on Intel sockets is extremely easy regardless of whether it is done on the LGA 115x or LGA 20xx HEDT platform. For the former, their current installation begins with the screwing in of the mounting posts through the motherboard and into the thumb nuts on the back. Even though the company provides plastic washers in case you want to use them, they recommend not doing so, especially since mounting pressure is so important to making the most of the block here. These thumb nuts act as a replacement socket backplate, and I have seen a similar implementation before to varying degrees of success. Once done, turn the motherboard around and apply a thin spread of thermal paste using the provided spreader tool. The flat cold plate will best mate with a larger CPU IHS that is also flatter, so you may want to experiment a bit for the best TIM spread with the LGA 115x platform, because it has a smaller, more convex IHS. In general, pre-spreading still worked fine for me. Once done, simply place the block over the mounting posts and secure it in place using the thumb screws. No washers recommended here either, and yeah, there are no springs to be seen. This means you have a tighter window of appropriate mounting pressure, and all the small details throughout add up here. Funnily, I have seen a prototype CPU block from another company that uses a spring-less installation as well, but it has not made it to market yet, so Optimus takes that small victory.


The older installation kit provided by the company is a lot more similar to those from others, with a backplate that goes on the back as seen above. The mounting posts go into the threads on this backplate with a plastic washer in between, and then the block goes over the posts after thermal paste is applied. The springs go on top of the mounting posts, and finally, the block is locked in place via the thumb screws. The set here is stainless steel, as with the newer one, albeit in a silver finish as opposed to the black in the newer set with this Foundation block.


Installation on the Intel HEDT platforms is even simpler owing to the pre-built cooler mounting system on the same side of the motherboard as the CPU itself. Use the M4-threaded mounting posts directly as there is no need for a socket backplate or thumb nut and repeat the steps as before. There is not a big difference in CPU block orientation anymore, so go with the port arrangement that best suits your plumbing layout.