Unofficial Hydro Series Installation Guide

Unofficial Hydro Series Installation Guide

This SGC guide will help you with the proper installation of Corsair Hydro Series pumps. I noticed a number of forum members are having problems with the pump installation and higher than normal CPU temperatures, this may be related to Corsair instructions being basic and or vague when it comes to a successfully mounted Hydro Series Pump.



Step 1, upon opening your new Hydro Series Pump, take a few minutes to lay out all included parts on a flat surface and verify needed Mounting components were included in the box. Simply open the Corsair quick start guide to page no. 1 (included hardware) and compare the pictures with your hardware.





Step 2, this part of the guide will pertain to Intel LGA 105x and 1366 mounting when installing a H60, H80, H100 and the newly launched GT/GTX Series Pumps. If you’re using Intel: LGA 2011, 2011-v3 or AMD: AM2, AM3, FM1, FM2 you can skip this step since you'll be using the backplate that came with your MainBoard. Additionally those who are installing a Asetek made Hydro H50, H55, H75, H90, H105 and H110 pumps can also skip this step since your backplate is of a different design.





Intel: LGA, 105x, 1366 backplate









A closer inspection reveals two notches made into one side of the backplate (the direction of the notches is vital when installing the backplate onto a LGA 105x or 1366 Mainboard)









Intel: LGA, 105x, 1366 mounting hardware (notice LGA 105x standoff screws have the same amount of thread on both ends)









Step 3, installing the Intel backplate onto the backside of Mainboard starts with the orientation of the notches in the backplate. It’s vital for a successful mounting having these two notches facing upward towards the top of the Mainboard and going around the two screws holding the CPU socket in place (if this part is skipped or improperly installed the cooler will not make proper contact).



Next, adjust the mounts at the four corners of backplate till they line up with the holes on the Mainboard for your specific CPU socket. Then install the standoff screws from front side into the backplate mounts around the CPU socket until hand tight. This will secure your backplate making it ready to install the CPU waterblock (on some Mainboards the backplate may feel loose, don't worry).





Correct mounting will look like this







Here’s a close up









Step 4, position the mounting bracket over the top of the pump assembly and were ready to install. Align the bracket and pump assembly over the four standoff screws, standoffs will go through the mounting bracket making it ready to secure.



The process I use when installing a CPU waterblock assembly, is once the mounting plate is lined up correctly and seated to the CPU, continue to apply light pressure in the center of waterblock while installing all four thumb screws. Keep constant pressure holding the CPU waterblock in place, tighten the thumb screws until all four are have reached the mounting bracket but not making contact (this will ensure the mounting bracket is installed correctly and not off center). Once all four thumb screws are installed then we can start to tighten the thumb screws starting with the top left corner, moving to the bottom right corner, next moving to the bottom left corner and finally the right top corner. The thumb screws should be hand tightened first and then screw driver making sure they are secure to make proper contact, there’s need to go overboard making then iron tight.



For those who are installing an Asetek made Hydro H50, H55, H75, H90, H105 and H110 pumps, installation of waterblock will be slightly different. The pump head on these models will have ears around the diameter of pump assembly, you will need to assemble the Intel Retention ring and clip onto the pump head. Retention ring will go over the top of pump head resting on the ears and clip installed from bottom of pump head locking the two piece together. If installed incorrectly the Retention ring will fall through the pump head. Once the pump head has been fitted with the retention ring and clip, you can follow the instructions above for secure the pump assembly.



Note: using the process above will ensure proper mounting of waterblock, since it is possible to tighten one side more than the other causing the pump assembly to make poor contact hence affecting the CPU temperature.





Apply pressure in center of CPU waterblock assembly









When mounted correctly it will look like this









Finally, connecting power to the pump with the CPU FAN or CPU OPT port on the MainBoard. Newer Mainboards will only have 4-pin PMW headers that will accept the 3-pin pump connection. The 3-pin connection only reports the pump RPM or speed to BIOS since it’s not adjustable. Additionally your pump may have come with a mini USB cable for Corsair LINK (install into an open USB port on bottom of mainboard) and or SATA power cable (install the power cable to any SATA cable with an open connection).



We won't be talking about the radiator or fan installation since Corsair has provide sufficient information for mounting these two items.



So with that brings an end to our Hydro Series Installation Guide, fire your computer up and enjoy.