Noctua NH-U12F

Installation

First we had to remove the heatsink retention module of our motherboard.


Depending on the orientation you want to use for the fan you have to use different metal clips here. They are screwed to the back of the bottom of the heatsink base.


Next we put together springs and screws and insert them into the metal clip holes.


Align the cooler over the CPU socket and screw down the two screws. Take a turn each then switch to the other screw. The holes in the cooler clips are a bit bigger so it is easy to screw down the cooler even though it is not 100% perfectly aligned at the start.


The screws have exactly defined points at which they are screwed down tight, this means you can't screw the heatsink down too tight.

90° rotated installation

To install the cooler rotated you have to use different clips. Now the screws sit under a hole that goes all the way through the heatsink. That's what the long included "screwdriver" is used for.


A truly ingenious solution - as long as you don't lose the screwdriver.


After the cooler is installed, the final step is putting the fan on the cooler.


These small plastic strips should be put between heatsink and fan to reduce loud vibrations.


Finally, use the clips to attach the fan. The connection is very secure, even with heavy abuse I can't imagine the fan falling off.