Installation

Installing the Optimus Signature V2 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 make the most of the block here. These thumb nuts act as a replacement socket backplate, and I have seen a similar implementation to varying degrees of success before. Once done, turn the motherboard around and apply a thin spread of thermal paste with their provided spreader tool. The flat cold plate will best mate with a larger CPU IHS that is also flatter, so with the LGA 115x platform which has a smaller, more convex IHS, you may want to experiment a bit for the best TIM spread. 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 use a spring-less installation as well, but it has not made it to market yet, so Optimus takes that small victory.


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. It is also interesting to see Optimus Cooling pair the Signature V2 with silver finish mounting posts and thumb screws instead of the black finish with the Optimus Foundation sample. I suspect this is because the Optimus Foundation sample has a satin black finish mounting bracket, which has it go well with the black mounting hardware.

If you were interested in seeing how the older installation mechanism works, I have demonstrated and also tested it on the Optimus Foundation block as seen here.