When I ordered my new computer, I knew I was going to air cool it and this was the cooler I wanted. Even had it been an option, I wouldn't have wanted a system shipped with this hanging on the CPU mount so I was going to have to install it myself. I had never installed anything like this before, but I've watched a few videos and felt confident.
The first thing to know is you have to replace the stock CPU back plate. The case I chose had a large cutout in the motherboard tray so this wasn't an issue, but this is obviously made to mount on a motherboard before it's put into a case. The back plate us universal so make sure you get the bolts in the right place for your CPU socket type.
After that it was pretty easy. screw on the brackets which are well marked, peel the protective sticker off the cpu block, add thermal paste (inlcuded), and screw the tower down to the brackets with the two captive screws. They include a nice long screwdriver for this so you won't need to hunt one up. Finally, add the clips to the fans and attach to the cooling tower. Make sure they are facing the right way (I had to turn one around when I realized I'd messed that up). This is is also easier to do if the motherboard isn't mounted and if the GPU isn't already in it's slot. The front fan may stick up a bit if you have tall memory sticks. Wiring was pretty easy. Attach both fan wires to the splitter cable, then plug that into the cpu fan header on the motherboard. It was long enough that I was able to route it back behind the motherboard for better cable management. That's it. The fans are PWM speed controlled so you can customize the fan curve as you wish. It's remarkably quiet. I can hear it slightly when the fans ramp up but it's not at all off putting. It cools amazingly well, keeping my 5900X at a max of 70 degrees C under full load.
There are some caveats. First, if you have really tall memory sticks (I do) the front fan may be high enough that some cases won't accommodate it. It's big. It literally covers all four memory sticks. while this allows for a cool backlit effect, this likely isn't the best choice if you're looking to max out the RGB. Finally, successfully air cooling demands extra thought be given to the case used. I chose one known for it's airflow (Phanteks P-500A). If you want the tempered glass all around thing, air cooling might not be the choice for you.
The biggest improvement that could be made would be to allow the stock MB plate to be used. Secondly, the thermal paste included isn't the highest rated. I'd suggest picking up some Arctic MX-4 or Grizzly Kryonaut and using that.
| Product Dimensions | 6.34"L x 5.51"W x 6.5"H |
|---|---|
| Brand | DeepCool |
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Wattage | 2.52 watts |
| Cooling Method | Fan |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Noise Level | 34.2 dB |
| Material | Nickel |
| Maximum Rotational Speed | 2200 RPM |
| Manufacturer | DEEPCOOL |
| Part Number | ASSASSIN III |
| Item Weight | 3.3 pounds |
| Item model number | DP-GS-MCH7-ASN-3 |
| Size | Extra Large |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Special Features | Electric Stovetop Compatible |
| Included Components | Remote |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | 1Year |
