Test Bed & Configuration:

MSI 865PE NEO2 Socket 478

• Intel Pentium 4 2.8c
• 2 x Corsair XMS TwinX CMX512-4400C25PT
• NVIDIA 5900Ultra 256MB NV35 Eng Sample
• 1 x 120GB Maxtor Diamond Max 9 SATA HDD
• X-Connect 500w UV Green PSU.

Our platform in its aging infamy is still revelent and very much in use today. The power of this system warrants the use of this test as the socket Pentium 4 2.8c puts out some serious heat radiation, especially when we overclock to 3.2.GHz or higher.

Installation:

This is easy as its gets for the Socket 478 Platform. With a simple insertion of the support clips on the mother-board retention base as shown below, illustrates just how simple it is to install the 7000B-Cu LED on the Socket 478 platform. Once the cooler is tested for installation and the requirements (obstruction-free heatsink zone - See *Note*) have been met for a perfect fit, its as easy as bolting this cooler down, Its thats simple!

*Note* - A motherboard that is not compliant with the " 10.2mm mother-board component restriction" standard, introduced by Intel, may create interference between components and the clip. No components higher than 3.9Cm should be present within 5.5Cm radius from the center of the CPU to install this product.

Our Intel Pentium 4 2.8c CPU was lapped to a mirror finish. We did this because this is free performance, anytime one can enhance a product or enhance thermal efficiency with some good old fashion elbow grease, then more power to ya! Doing so will significantly increase performance and the hour it took to lap the CPU was well worth the no money down results!

We are going to use the included Zalman thermal paste to prep the CPU for FHS installation. Lapping the CPU was just a personal preference and is not mandatory to do so. While we chose this tweak for our test bed, not everyone will need to do so or want to for that matter.

Once I smoothed out the paste, I got rid of the excess, this picture on the upper right shows a thick film of thermal compound. This picture shows a little too much thermal compound is being used, what we did not show, was the fact I re-scrapped the CPU again and left a thinner film of compound on the CPU. Too much thermal compound will cause higher temps, so the saying "the more the better" just does apply in this case.

Gently guiding the cooler onto the contact area of the CPU, I checked for clearance on all side of the cooler. Perfect fit! Nothing was in the way and now I can mount the screws and secure the cooler to the socket assembly. Using a standard Philips head screw driver I held the center of the cooler with gloves and secure one side of the bracket. While still holding the cooler down, the last mounting screw was put in place. Now I will lock the screws in place and assess the installation.

Looks damn nice!

Done Deal!