As I mentioned above, the Intel 775 bracket comes installed on the Falcon, and the X-shaped backplate and brass nipples provide a secure mount. The AMD clips are easily installed per the instructions in the manual and interface with the center lug on the stock retention bracket. The thermal paste spreading tool is a nice addition, allowing a very thin, uniform application of the included TIM.
Here's an exploded diagram of the design. About all you'll need to install the Falcon 92-Cu is a (long, skinny Philips) screwdriver. Let's get it on the mobo and see how it performs.
PRODUCT INSTALLATION AND TESTING
For this review, we'll be using the Intel-based DFI P965-S Dark motherboard, so the first order of business is to get the backplate installed. An adhesive pad is pre-applied on the plate to help keep the plate aligned with the motherboard mounting holes. The brass nipples secure the backplate and provide mounting for the cooler.
After securing the backplate to the board with the nipples and applying the thermal paste, the cooler can be placed over the socket and secured. The user will want to spend a little time considering optimum orientation according to the clearance and airflow characteristics of his or her particular platform. The Falcon is a fairly tall unit, but not as wide as some of its competition. Even so, it was a bit of a pain in the ahh… neck to get the screws started in the nipples and then tightened down. The threaded holes in the brass nipples are easily cross-threaded by the steel screws, and a good, long, sharp screwdriver is needed to avoid rounding out the screw heads due to the relatively severe angle of the driver. Then, while tightening down the screws,…
