Specifications:

Installation:

If you've installed one after market CPU cooler, you've pretty much installed them all. The only obstacle you might run in to may resemble the fun time I had removing the motherboard CPU back plate. The FOXCONN series has the plate glued on very, very well with a double sided type mess. If your new motherboard has copied this method of attachment, then you will have to use something pretty sharp and stiff that can cut through the glue. Just make sure you are against the back plate when cutting or prying to make sure you don't damage your motherboard.

CPU Bracket

Bracket Removed

Prying off Back Plate

The Mars is best assembled on its top. The CPU bracket can then be mounted much easier after deciding a couple details. First, you just have to decide the orientation of the cooler and which way it will be facing and then mount the CPU bracket. Second, will it be able to reach the onboard CPU fan power. Afterwards, four motherboard standoff screws should be screwed on to the four corners for AMD and two middle holes for Intel of bracket. Now you can use the four small screws to permanently mount the mounting bracket to the base of the Mars.

Mounting Kit	AMD Bracket	Intel Bracket
4 Standoff Screws On	Setting on Base	Tightening 4 Screws

Four rubber washers, depending on your particular motherboard and or CPU, are placed over the ends of the motherboard standoff screws after pulling off the white paper which allows them to stick to the bracket. I partially sat the Mars on the board to select what size rubber washers to use in the kit. The rubber washers will easily stick to the standoff screws when you finally install the Mars cooler. I found again, that leaving the MARS upside down on a soft surface will let you to center the motherboard over the bracket holes while you attach the four bolts to the standoff screws attached to the bracket. Very easy and simple this way. The included Phillips Socket included in the kit works great for tightening down the four bolts.

Bracket Attached

Need 4 Thicker Washers

Board on Top of Cooler

Using the Socket Tool

Cooler Secure

Once the Mars was installed, I noticed the memory modules were about 1/4 inch away from touching. This isn't the possible problem though. When the modules were removed they did touch and when the modules were installed in the ram slot closest to the Mars cooler, the memory needed extra care to fit without ruining the nice glossy finish. In most dual channel and normal systems, you have the option of using any of the ram slots. Older motherboards might be a bit more picky about ram placements due to the BIOS configurations. The memory modules will fit in most cases, but it should be considered due to the Mars' size.

Room on Bottom	Room up Top	Switching Ram
Just Barely Fits	Switched Ram	Front Side
Back Side	Test Board	Ready for Operations