Mounting the Hydro Series H60 CPU Cooler to your Intel Motherboard

The new Hydro Series™ H60 CPU cooler easily mounts to any AMD AM2, AMD AM3, Intel® LGA 1155, Intel LGA 1156, Intel LGA 1366, and Intel LGA 775. These instructions cover mounting the unit on an Intel X58 based motherboard. The mounting technique is the same for all supported Intel platforms.

The cooler is attached to the motherboard using a back plate, shown below.

The back plate has a plastic covering for insulation, and 4 adjustable threaded nuts. Adjust these 4 threaded nuts to fit the hole pattern of the motherboard used. Apply the back plate to the back of the motherboard as shown with insulated side against the back of the motherboard and with the extruded portion of the nut through the holes in the motherboard.

Then, from the front of the motherboard, thread 4 of the double ended standoffs into the back plate through the 4 mounting holes circled in red. Tighten these standoffs with firm finger pressure. Excessive tightening is not needed. The double ended standoff is shown in the inset below.

The cooling plate comes with a plastic covering protecting the plate and the thermal interface material, or TIM. Remove the plastic cover and be careful not to damage the TIM.

Align the 4 holes in the cooling plate bracket arms with the 4 threaded standoffs. Slide the cooling plate onto the threads until it makes contact with the CPU heat spreader. Do not allow the plate to move at this point while keeping firm pressure against it. Screw the 4 knurled nuts onto the threaded standoffs and tighten each until it contacts the arms of the mounting plate.

Once contact is established, tighten all 4 knurled nuts equally, in an “X” pattern until each is secure against the standoff. Firm finger pressure or light tightening with a screw driver is sufficient. Excessive tightening is not needed.

Place the 4 washers onto the 4 radiator screws, as shown in the inset below. Note the 4 120mm mounting holes, circled in red. Place the screws into these 4 holes.

From the inside of your case, slide the fan onto the 4 mounting screws. Then, in an “X” pattern, tighten the screws into the 4 mounting holes on the radiator. Light pressure is sufficient and excessive tightening is not needed.

Both the pump in the cooling head and the fan need power. You may use available motherboard fan headers as shown below or connect them directly to the PSU if desired. A fan controller may used for the fan also however, it is not recommended to have the pump on a controller fan output. For power to the pump, be sure to use a header that supplies a continuous and uninterrupted 12v.

Your Hydro Series H60 CPU cooler is now installed and ready to use. A second fan (not included) may be added as the radiator is threaded on both sides to accommodate two 120mm fans in a push/pull configuration. Your individual case dimensions, motherboard layouts, and other factors may influence your ability to add a second fan.