Installation of the Noctua NH-L12Sx77 CPU Cooler
Getting the Noctua NH-L12Sx77 installed should be pretty easy whether you are installing in a small form factor system or a full-size system like we are. If you’ve installed a Noctua cooler in the past the process is pretty much the same.
We will be doing our installation on an Intel Z490 system so this installation would be pretty much the same for Intel LGA 1200, 1150, 1151, and 1155 sockets.
The first thing you are going to want to do is find the Intel backplate. You will need to install the pegs on it depending on your socket. Reference the installation guide to see where to install the pegs based on the socket you’ll be installing the cooler on. You lock the pegs in by installing a small clip on each. Carefully attach the backplate to the backside of your motherboard making sure the pegs go through the holes on your motherboard.
Next install the Intel spacers. There are two different sets included with the cooler, again consult the installation guide to see what ones you should be using based on your socket.
Next install the Intel mounting bars. For the default orientation of the cooler you’ll want to install them on the top and bottom of the cooler like you see in the photo below. Then install the included thermal paste and then carefully place the cooler on top of your CPU lining up the screws on the cooler with the pegs on the mounting bars. Using the included screwdriver place it down through the heatsink and fan and secure the cooler. It is quite nice that you don’t have to remove the fan at all to get the cooler installed.
With the cooler installed we can see that while it does cover up our memory a bit, but we have more than enough clearance, even with the fan mounted under the heatsink. Remember if you wanted to make room for larger memory modules, you can install the fan on top of the heatsink instead.
