Installation

Installation for the XP-90C is rather simple. Removing the motherboard from the case may provide you with extra room to maneuver, but if you have a removable motherboard tray you will not need to remove the motherboard from the tray. (Note: the exception to this is most Gigabyte boards which have a non-standard retention module. For these boards you will need to purchase a special backplate from Thermalright and install it on the backside of the motherboard before continuing). First, remove the stock retention module, leaving the backplate on the underside of the motherboard. Then position the Thermalright RM in place and affix it with the two M3 15mm screws provided.

At this point you should clean your mounting surfaces and apply the thermal paste as recommended by the manufacturer. Take the XP-90 in hand and, starting with the two hooks opposite the heatpipes, hook them onto the RM near the top of the CPU socket. Press the heatsink down and clip the two remaining hooks onto the other side of the RM, using a small flat screwdriver if necessary. Starting on the side with the heatpipes may cause the heatsink to jerk or slide suddenly, damaging the base and possibly the CPU. The two silicon strips can now be applied to the heatsink (I chose to mount them to the fan itself.)

Now you can use the included fan clips to mount the fan of your choice. Start by choosing the correct size clips for your fan, either 80mm or 92mm. Insert each end of the fan clip in the lower holes on the ends of the heatsink fins, making sure to have the point facing inward. Set the fan on top of the heatsink between the appropriate steps in the fins, and lift the clips over the base of the fan and insert the points into the screw holes on the fan. Connect the fan to the motherboard’s CPU fan header and the installation is complete.