Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme Liquid CPU Cooler Review

Installation
The Eisbaer Extreme is actually a fairly easy installation process when compared with other AiOs thanks to the pre-installed fans and simple block design. Start by sliding the tool free brackets into the slots on the bottom edge of the pump. Simply choose the correct design for your socket type, and slide them into place. Of course there are two sides and they push in until they notch into each other. Our socket is 115x so even orientation doesn’t matter as the pattern is square.

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition

With the brackets installed assemble the mounting screws with the springs, washers, and finally the small nuts to secure the assembly to the bracket. If you are confused about the order or orientation, there are great exploded diagrams in the manual. Do this for all four corners.

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition

With that bit of pre-installation complete it’s time to get the cooler into your case. This is where we ran into a bit of a fitment issue. While our full tower Phanteks case is plenty large, supporting up to 420mm radiators, the mounting depth of the Eisbaer Extreme prevents us from actually mounting the cooler. To fit it, we would have to do a bit of modding and remove the front drive brackets from the case completely to fit under the top panel. We even tried removing the top panel and attaching the cooler to the bottom, but it still wouldn’t fit inside the space of the front bracket. As a last resort we simply removed the top panel and placed the cooler on top. It’s pretty ugly, but it let us at least fit the CPU block and test the cooler. Please keep in mind, THIS IS NOT the fault of Alphacool. They made one large cooler and considerations simply must be taken for the entire dimensions. We recommend actually measuring your case for yourself and not just trusting the manufacturer specs.

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition

With the rad portion in position and secured with the small screws from the top, attach the CPU block bracket to the back of the motherboard. Notice there are two notches on the one side of the bracket, these are to be oriented to the top. Adjust the position of the posts, peel the 3M tape backing off, and stick the bracket in place. The posts should be protruding into the front of the case.

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition

Follow up the bracket installation with an application of the included thermal paste. We recommend the grain of rice size portion applied to the center of the heat spreader method ourselves.

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition

Now carefully align the mounting screws with the posts around the socket and thread all four corners on. Once you have ALL four started begin tightening them fully in a cross pattern alternating to the next thumbscrew after a couple turns.

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition

Next we went ahead and connected the wiring. There are four separate wire sets that must be connected, the CPU block lighting, pump power, pump speed, and fans. We tried several options using the board headers before we settle on the following: pump speed connector to the CPU_FAN header, the fan power to our case fan hub, the CPU pump LED to our case fan hub, and the molex pump power to an open PSU molex connector. We used the hub to get full constant power rather than the motherboards lower and inconsistent output. We recommend doing the same.

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition

When you install your wiring you’re going to notice that the wire lengths are actually fairly short. In the photo below you can see how we had to run the CPU block led wire right across the board rather than hiding it behind the tray. We didn’t leave it this way but the same was true for all the other wiring. It all could have been easily 25-30% longer. In the end we had to use a cable extension to get them to the hub.

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition

Finally install the CPU block screw covers and you are done with your installation. Simple!

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition

With installation complete you’ll want to fire up your system, making sure to check for the small vibration in the tubing that will indicate pump power. And of course make sure that your fans are spinning up. You will also want to be sure that the Alphacool LED is working as well as the blue back lighting shining out through the reservoir window.

Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition Alphacool Eisbaer Extreme - Black Edition