When you get right down to it, installation is really not that different from installing a standard heatsink and fan (just on a smaller scale) with one major exception. At least on our test board, it was necessary to completely remove the motherboard before trying to install the Northbridge cooler. Once the motherboard is removed, you have to attach the fan to the heatsink. No problem.
Then you have to remove the stock heatsink off of the Northbridge (this requires some effort with the Asus A7N8X!). Clean the thermal paste off of the Northbridge (make sure you do a really good job), apply new thermal paste, attach fan/heatsink combo and plug it in. The Southbridge takes two small heatsinks attached with SEKISUI tape. Couldn’t be easier.
This is a really nice looking fan. If you have seen Thermaltake’s Blower, it’s the same thing but much smaller and it moves a lot of air. But don’t let it’s small size fool you. Good things come in small packages and this thing is powerful.
Another nice feature is the fan speed controller. You have the option of setting three different speeds to keep your Northbridge nice and cool. The only shame with this controller is the fact that it is pci. It’s such a nice looking controller that it just seems to be a shame to hide it all the way in the back.
One thing we noticed, once we put everything back together, is that this heatsink/fan combo sticks up a fair amount when it is installed. If you are using a very large heatsink/fan on your cpu beware, everything might not fit. This might be something you would like to check out BEFORE installing the Extreme Spirit.
Overall, this is a nice little setup. As long as you are careful, installation is easy enough and the fan really does seem to keep things cool. Passive cooling is now a thing of the past for your Northbridge!
Of course a silent system is also a thing of the past. For such a little fan, on the highest setting it can really make a lot of noise. Actually, a fair amount more noise than we originally expected. So, to sum everything up: if you are worried about the temperatures of your North & Southbridge, this kit will keep things cool in style.
Pros:
• Really powerful fan
• Fan speed controller
• Fits any motherboard
Cons:
• For such a little fan, it makes a whole lot of noise.
• Fan controller takes up a pci slot
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