Intel Core i7 / LGA1366 CPU Cooler Roundup

Cogage TRUE Spirit Installation

Considering the installation issues we had with some other coolers in this roundup, it was with some apprehension that we began the process of installing the Spirit. To begin this installation you really don’t need to remove your motherboard which will be a positive thing for many people. In fact, this installation is a very quick and relatively painless procedure which is definitely something we needed.

To begin the setup, take the TRUE Spirit in one hand and with the other fish the X bracketed retention clip through the space between the top of the base and the bottom of the fin array. As with all TRUEs this unit folds together enough to do this and when it is through you simply open the bracket back up to its full width.


Once the bracket is in place you simply lay the now ready TRUE Spirit over your CPU, line up the four pushpins with their respective holes and secure the whole shebang together, just like you would an Intel stock cooler. As we said this makes for a very easy and fast install.

Unfortunately, the fact that this is a push-pin installation means that less than the optimal amount of pressure will be applied to the CPU. Pushpin retention systems are a pet peeve of ours as they may be fast, but they are malleable and do flex


We understand that the Spirit is a budget-friendly cooler but we really wish it would have shipped with the brackets necessary for AMD system installation. On the positive side, on an i7 system its find stand fairly tall off the board and as you can see you should have no issues with it rubbing, touching or bumping into any of your motherboard’s passive heat sinks.

The fan installation on the other hand is the exact same one as found on the TRUE with two rubber anti-vibration strips and two wire brackets. The ends of the wire brackets fit into small holes in the fin array and via tension keep the fan in place. All in all, it is a tried and true method; albeit one you either like or dislike.