Installation

Installing the heatsink was not that difficult. Getting it running correctly was. But I’m getting ahead of myself here…

Up for the test is a DFI nF4 Expert motherboard with an Opteron 144 CPU, clocked at three different levels: 1.8 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 2.7 GHz. The maximum TDP was 125W.



I began installing the heatsink as stated in the manual.

• First I took the plastic bracket and attached two standoffs from the mounting kit to the screw holes.
• I then aligned the bracket with the Socket 939 mounting holes, and connected the backplate and bracket with the original screws.
• I applied a small, rice-grain sized ball of Arctic Ceramique to the CPU’s IHS. Next, I attempted to install the heatsink with the screws and springs provided, but I stumbled upon a problem – the heatsink would hit the heatspreaders of my Mushkin Redline memory.
• I had to move the memory to the adjacent slot, and then the cooler fit perfectly. It is necessary to keep in mind that the heatspreaders on Redline memory from Mushkin are higher than those on most other memory modules, which should fit with no problems.
• Lastly, I cranked down the screws as far as they could go in a criss-cross pattern, connected the cable from the fan to the motherboard, the cable from the pump directly to the PSU, and was ready to boot the PC.

During installation, I managed to “injure” myself by running my fingers on the edge of the HSF’s radiator, and getting an aluminum splinter in my index finger.

As soon as I pressed the power button, gurgling of water could be heard, and the fan on the S80DP spun to life. The fan installed is neither loud nor silent – right in between.

I then proceeded to install Windows, and all my testing tools.