Cooler Master Hyper N520 CPU Cooler Review

Installation

It seems that Cooler Master has indeed streamlined their installation procedure and equipment for the N series as well as the V series of coolers. We feel safe in making this statement as this cooler has the exact same installation procedure as the V8; which in turn is the same as the monster V10 cooler!.Needless to say, if you have read the V10 or V8 reviews (or worked with either one) you already know how to install the N520 and can skip it. For everyone else….go back and read ‘em! The rest of us will wait….no? Ok for those unwilling to go back and read those reviews here is how to install this little feller.

As with the other coolers mentioned, we recommend you remove the motherboard from your case, even if you have a case which has a backplate cutout.


To start the installation procedure you first have to prep the N520 and install the proper brackets for the right system. If you are using a 775 system: use the 775 brackets, if you have an i7….you guess it: use the i7 brackets. After you have selected the proper brackets you then install the double threaded screws. As with the V-series, the part which attached the screws to the bracket is a Bastard Thread and thus screws in backwards. In other words you tighten it down just like you would to remove a normal thread.


When this task is completed, you then mount the brackets to the base of the N520. Each bracket uses two small screws to hold it in place and it should only take a second or two per screw to tighten them into place. When this is accomplished and all four screws are tightened down and the mounting brackets are secure, you then peel the paper off four of the rubber bumper pads included and stick one per screw unto the N520. These bumpers slip over the shaft of each screw and stick to the bracket itself. It may take a little coaxing to get them properly positioned as the ends of the bracket are properly sized to help keep the pads in place via friction as well as the glue.


What we recommend is to lay the cooler on its head and for all intents and purposes mount the motherboard to it. In other words, right before you remove the motherboard from the loving embrace of the case you will need to prep the CPU area and then apply a small amount of TIM to it. When it is in place and all four screws are sticking up through their proper holes, you quickly place the appropriate bracket over them (once again use the i7 bracket for i7 systems…etc etc) and spin the four little nuts into place. When they are all hand tightened you then dig out the small socket which Cooler Master includes and crank all the nuts down.


The above photo is the "worst case scenario" when it comes to mounting options and motherboard/RAM compatibility. Even at its worst, the moderate size of this cooler, combined with the fact the fin array starts up nice and high, makes for a fairly worry free installation. At no time were ever worried about this cooler bumping, rubbing or anyways touching either our normal height ram, nor our motherboard heatsinks. We truly doubt anyone with a rationally laid out motherboard will have any problems with this little powerhouse. With that being said if you do have a motherboard with extremely tall heatsinks or an aftermarket one your installation orientation options may be more limited but we truly doubt anyone will be no be able to install it in at least one direction!

As we have said before: this is a quirky, yet fairly easy installation. Overall, it will take you longer than it would to install a pushpin cooler, but we think the effort is worth as it does make for a very good and secure mounting. It will be interesting to see how effective the proper mounting pressure will help during the performance phase….and whether it can overcome the limitations of this cooler’s design and underpowered fan.