DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler Review

Installation
This is where it gets interesting for the Neptwin.  Big air coolers are notorious for being rather unpleasant to install.  The Neptwin tries it’s best to make some improvements in this department but I still ended up with a headache after the install.  Let’s get started.

First things first, open up the appropriate parts package (for us this was socket 1155) and get everything spread out before you.  The manual is going to really help you out here as there are some unique parts and techniques employed.

DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler

Once you’ve got your head around everything before you and you’ve given the manual a once over it’s time to get started.

DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler

Take the multi socket backplate and install the mounting screws into the correct holes.  Reference the manual for this information.  One by one install the screws and the convenient rubber holding pieces.  These are great as you don’t have to try to juggle them all into place while putting them into the motherboard holes.

Once you have them all installed, you install the mounting plate into the motherboard.  You can either do this with the board out, or if you have a cut out, like I did, you can do this with the case upright.

DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler

After you’ve navigated the backplate into the motherboard  you take the 4 included plastic spacers and place them on the mounting screws.  One thing to note here is that the posts are just long enough at this point to show just a bit of threads with the spacers on.  You’re going to have to hold the backplate against the motherboard, otherwise it will all fall off.  With the spacers on take the mounting brackets and one side at a time install and screw them on.  Once you have them just finger tight I would recommend using a philips head screwdriver to tighten them well.  The heatsink itself is going to be held on using these brackets.  Best that they don’t move.

DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler

You’ve now arrived at the point where you need to put the thermal paste on and then proceed to mount the heatsink.  If you are doing the install through a cutout now would be a good time to lay the case on it’s back.

I like to do the grain of rice size dot of thermal paste personally, but there are many theories on this, so do what you are comfortable with.

DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler

Now take the Neptwin itself and notch onto the heatsink the retention plate.  This is the part I mentioned earlier that is unique in the fact that it is not attached to the heatsink base.

Place the heatsink onto the cpu evenly trying not to move it once it is in place.  Now you have to align the screws on the retention plate with the screw holes on the mounting brackets.  It’s easy enough, but that unattached retention plate will move if you are not careful.  Once aligned use a screwdriver to tighten the base down onto the socket.  Tighten these all the way down until the springs are fully compressed.

DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler

Pat yourself on the back, if you’ve made it this far you have now installed the twin tower Neptwin 75% of the way!

Following along with the instructions, next take the felt 3M washers and place them on all four corners on each side of the fins that the fans will make contact with.  This is a rather tedious process that I felt could have been implemented better.

DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler

Now we’ll be installing the fans.  Taking cue from Deepcool we will be putting the four pin PWM controlled fan in the middle.  This requires spreading the towers apart slightly as it’s a tight fit.  This is a good thing though it’s a bit unnerving.  Making the fans tight like this will decrease the amount of air that will bleed out the sides without doing any cooling.  Using the standard fan clips secure the fans into place one side at a time.

DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler

Next take the 4 fan splitter and plug your fans in.  This is actually a really nice accessory to include as it helps to clean up your install by helping with wire management.  If you have a manual fan controller you can easily plug the splitter into one channel giving you control of the heatsink. Personally, I plugged the splitter into the CPU fan header on the motherboard.  Although I didn’t, you can also secure the splitter to your case using the included strip of double sided tape.  Seems Deepcool thought of everything!

DeepCool Neptwin CPU Cooler

And there you have it, one Deepcool Neptwin installed and ready to go to work.  Now the only question: how well will it do it’s job?