Sunbeamtech Core Contact Freezer

Installation

Upon removing the old cooler, I cleaned off the CPU and attached the bracket to the mainboard.  Because the clip that attaches the Core Contact Freezer to the motherboard bracket is already attached to the cooler, I had to double-check to make sure I was installing the bracket in the correct direction.  The directions are very simple to follow, but don't specifically state which way the bracket needs to be installed.  I don't consider this a problem, but you may if you install it the wrong way the first time.

The bracket is really a brilliant work of engineering.  It simply clips into the four screw holes on the motherboard.  In order to secure it in place, there are four push-pins that pop into the bracket to ensure it stays secured.  I wasn't sure this was going to be a solid hold at first but it definitely does work as advertised. 

  

The directions recommend applying twice the normal amount of thermal paste.  This is likely so that the small grooves between the aluminum base and the copper heatpipes are filled sufficiently in order to make full contact with the CPU.  After applying a generous layer of the included thermal paste, the cooler clips down onto the bracket without too much trouble. 

Next up, I installed the 120mm fan to the Sunbeamtech Core Contact Freezer.  As I stated before, there are a couple of flimsy feeling wire clips that are used to attach the fan to the cooler.  Although these seem like they would be flimsy, they provide a good hold onto the fan and secure it tightly to the cooler.  There is no rattle or instabilty and the fan is easy to remove if you wish or need to change it out.

Now that's done, you can see the Sumbeamtech Core Contact Freezer is quite a cooler.  It fits with no trouble, but leaves quite a footprint.  I hooked the fan up to the included fan controller and plugged the rest of my components back in.  I was a little disappointed to have to install the fan speed controller into the uppermost PCI Expansion slot because the cord was too short to reach to the bottom, where I would have liked to have put it.

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Pg 1 - Introduction
Pg 2 - The Cooler
Pg 3 - Installation
Pg 4 - Testing & Conclusion