Cooler Master Seidon 120M Liquid Cooler (inc. Dual Fan Performance 2x Noctua NF-F12)

We are very pleased to see that Cooler Master has changed its backplate installation method to make it far simpler for users. Positioning the backplate was as easy as selecting the relevant socket holes and pushing the screws through.

Let's hope that this quick and easy backplate installation method is used for Cooler Master's future tower-style heatsinks.

Thanks to the tweaked installation method, in comparison to previous Cooler Master models, connecting the stand-offs is an easy task; everything is tightened on the motherboard's front side, not the rear.

Simply place the motherboard on a flat surface so that the backplate's screws protrude, before attaching the stand-offs. Cooler Master even supplies a piece of equipment that allows users to tighten the stand-offs with a screwdriver.

Users are required to screw the specific AMD or Intel brackets onto the waterblock and pump unit. Once this has been completed, the unit can be attached to the motherboard.

After testing two different installation methods, we would recommend first installing the Seidon 120M and the motherboard in the case, before attaching the waterblock and pump unit.

We opted for the fan-behind-the-radiator orientation so that the 120mm Blade Master could push cool air through the fin array. This method requires more installation time as aligning the fan and radiator can be difficult. In comparison to the exhaust fan orientation which relies upon hotter system air, the cooling benefits should be worthy of the added effort.

Once installed, the Seidon 120M was mounted very securely to our NZXT Phantom case. The waterblock and pump unit was also securely attached to the motherboard, making this configuration shipping-proof.

In a single fan configuration, the radiator barely passes the summit of our motherboard's IO shield, thanks to the recessed rear panel design which our NZXT Phantom uses, as do many other good cases.

Dual fan users could run into problems if their motherboard features tall VRM heatsinks or, in the case of X79 configurations, if they utilise memory modules with large heatspreaders. Connecting the 8-pin CPU power cord is also made more difficult in a dual fan configuration.

With the reservoir areas extending beyond the fin array by 14mm, or 20mm for the hose-entry compartment, the Seidon 120M can interfere with roof-mounted case fans. Luckily, we had just enough room for major headaches to be avoided, but users with a smaller case may not be so fortunate.

Become a Patron!