Kingwin HTC XT-1264 i7 Ready CPU Cooler Review

Installation

Test Rig:
Intel i7 920
Gigabyte EX58-UD4P X58 motherboard
Asus ENGTX260 Matrix geForce GTX 260 video card
Crucial Ballistix Tracer Blue DDR3-2000 6GB triple channel memory kit
BFG EX-1200 1200 watt power supply
Ikonik Ra X10 Liquid aluminum full tower
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit

Yes, this is a liquid cooled case, and no, I’m not going to be running both liquid and air. It happens to be the case I have set up for my i7 test rig.

First, install the pushpin brackets onto the base. Then prep the CPU by cleaning with isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth.



Kingwin HTC XT-1264 i7 Ready CPU Cooler Kingwin HTC XT-1264 i7 Ready CPU Cooler

Next, apply thermal compound to the heatspreader surface. You will need to use three-four times the typical “half grain of rice” that most manufacturers recommend. Kingwin has provided a small spatula to spread the compound. I normally use either a credit card, or one of those discount scan cards from stores that you put on your keychain.

The reason you need to spread the compound is that the base is not flat and will not properly spread out the compound. Here is what the heatspreader will look like after the cooler is installed.


Kingwin HTC XT-1264 i7 Ready CPU Cooler Kingwin HTC XT-1264 i7 Ready CPU Cooler

Prior to installing the cooler, make sure that all of the push pins are turned counter-clockwise.

Install the cooler onto the motherboard. There is a knack for the proper installation of Intel push pins, and I much prefer installation with the motherboard out of the case. Make sure that all four pins are well inside of the motherboard holes, then push two at a time diagonally. You may need to remove the fan first. The pins usually “click”, but not always.

Proper installation is very important, you can damage the pins if not inserted far enough, or a pin can pop out of the hole later unseating the cooler.

Connect the fan to the motherboard’s PWM CPU fan connector.


Kingwin HTC XT-1264 i7 Ready CPU Cooler Kingwin HTC XT-1264 i7 Ready CPU Cooler

The photos show proper and improper seating of the push pin.


Kingwin HTC XT-1264 i7 Ready CPU Cooler Kingwin HTC XT-1264 i7 Ready CPU Cooler

Install the motherboard, wire things up, install the video card, and you’re done.


Kingwin HTC XT-1264 i7 Ready CPU Cooler Kingwin HTC XT-1264 i7 Ready CPU Cooler

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