How hard is it to install an aftermarket CPU cooler?

[Aria_Bashiri]

I'm buying an aftermarket CPU cooler, obviously the Hyper 212 Evo too lol.... I've built a system before, I built an AMD FX-8320E budget gaming system a couple of months ago but I didn't have enough money for an aftermarket cooler so I used the stock cooler and obviously that was pretty easy and self explanatory when it came to installing it, but aftermarket coolers have plates and things that you have to attach to the back and front of the motherboard, is that hard at all? Or is it also easy to do? I won't break anything while installing it into the new system I'm building, will I? Lol.

Also is the thermal paste provided with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo any good? Because I'd rather use that than spend more on some Artic Silver 5 or Arctic Cooling MX-4 to be honest. How would I spread the thermal paste as well? Do you have to be very careful when doing that? Do you only spread a little bit onto the CPU? And do I apply it in small lines or a small, single dot in the center?

 

[JulianG3]

I'm buying an aftermarket CPU cooler, obviously the Hyper 212 Evo too lol.... I've built a system before, I built an AMD FX-8320E budget gaming system a couple of months ago but I didn't have enough money for an aftermarket cooler so I used the stock cooler and obviously that was pretty easy and self explanatory when it came to installing it, but aftermarket coolers have plates and things that you have to attach to the back and front of the motherboard, is that hard at all? Or is it also easy to do? I won't break anything while installing it into the new system I'm building, will I? Lol.

Also is the thermal paste provided with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo any good? Because I'd rather use that than spend more on some Artic Silver 5 or Arctic Cooling MX-4 to be honest. How would I spread the thermal paste as well? Do you have to be very careful when doing that? Do you only spread a little bit onto the CPU? And do I apply it in small lines or a small, single dot in the center?

 

[InvalidError]

Personally, I find the 212's retention hardware fairly simple to use once you know how it works despite of how many parts it has.

The 212's plate is held in place by threading the studs through the motherboard and plate, then installing the nuts behind the motherboard to hold them in place. After that, you simply adjust the retention clip's screw to the correct locations for your socket and screw it down with the heatsink.

As far as the included paste goes, it does a good enough job if you do not care about extreme OC. In my case, the 212 was simply used to replace the stock HSF which no longer seemed to fit right.

 

[JulianG3]

I have installed 2 Zalman coolers and removed one and reinstalled all on AMD ASUS Sabertooth MOBOs. It is definitely worth it as the CPU temp dropped from 60 C to mid-to high 30s. That said it is a bit tricky. Screws that look like they will not fit actually do fit when they are tightened down. Plus the documentation especially diagrams are not great. You need to be patient. Also the copper blades will inflict cuts so you need to handle this carefully, not to mention space limitations within your case. You will also need to disassemble the mount that supports the factory CPU cooler. The drop in CPU temp is definitely worth it as my CPU had been shutting down due to overheating before I installed the Zalman

 

[Aria_Bashiri]

Personally, I find the 212's retention hardware fairly simple to use once you know how it works despite of how many parts it has.

The 212's plate is held in place by threading the studs through the motherboard and plate, then installing the nuts behind the motherboard to hold them in place. After that, you simply adjust the retention clip's screw to the correct locations for your socket and screw it down with the heatsink.

As far as the included paste goes, it does a good enough job if you do not care about extreme OC. In my case, the 212 was simply used to replace the stock HSF which no longer seemed to fit right.

Sounds like quite a few steps, doesn't sound too hard though. I'm going to install one even if it looks a bit confusing at first, I'm sure it comes with a manual anyways incase I forget your instructions, don't think I will forget though, seems fairly simple.

I think the paste will hold, I'm not doing an extreme overclock by any means, but I'm not doing a small overclock either, I'm raising my 8320E from it's stock 3.2Ghz to about 3.9-4.0Ghz. So I guess the paste will do alright as long as it isn't crap, which I'm guessing it won't be bad judging by how the 212 Evo isn't some cheap $20 aftermarket CPU cooler. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[InvalidError]

The 212 should come with a simple instruction sheet.

There might be "many steps" but they are mostly self-evident if you are the least bit mechanically minded.