MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 Installation
Like most AIOs, the installation of the be MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 is a very straightforward process. As DIY PC building seems to be getting more popular each and every day, the option of AIO liquid coolers is sure to entice those wanting to have a more advanced build, and easy installation will go a long way towards not scaring off first-time builders. As I mentioned when I covered the included accessories, MSI has included all of the necessary mounting hardware for modern AMD and Intel platforms, though they have opted for a digital installation manual. We are seeing more companies move to digital versions of their product manuals, and while I appreciate their reduced waste, I still prefer a physical copy of installation instructions.
Our testing is performed with the fans in a push configuration, and as MSI has already mounted the fans in this orientation, that was a step that we could skip past.
As previously mentioned, the MAG CORELIQUID A13 has Intel mounting hardware installed, so I first had to install AMD mounting hardware to the pump housing for my Ryzen 7 7600X test system. This is a simple process that just requires the removal of four screws from the bottom of the pump housing, swapping in the AMD hardware, and reinstalling the screws.
The MAG CORELIQUID A13 does not use the factory AMD mounting clips for securing the cooler to the motherboard, so I did have to remove the plastic mounting brackets in order to secure the cooler to the motherboard.
With the factory mounting hardware removed from the motherboard, and thermal paste applied to the CPU, it is time to line up the cooler with the brackets, and tighten everything down. The use of four thumbscrews makes the rest of this installation very simple. Next up is attaching the radiator to the top of our case. Using the twelve included screws, simply align them with the appropriate mounting points on your case, and tighten.
With all of the hardware in place and the wiring complete, it is time for testing.
