Hey everyone! I'm currently dealing with a heating issue in my PC. I've got a Lian Li Lancool 205 mesh case, and I skimped on the CPU cooler when I built my PC back in 2022. It's been causing my CPU temperatures to spike to 98°C, which led to crashes while gaming. I recently bought a Thermalight Assassin Spirit 120 EVO cooler and some additional fans, but I need to know if I have to remove my motherboard to install the new cooler. I've been looking for guides but only found info on first-time installations. Can I manage this through the side of the case?
1 Answer
It really depends on the cooler setup. If it's not socket AM5, you'll likely have to deal with a backplate that screws into the motherboard. Most cases have a cutout in the motherboard tray behind the CPU, which usually lets you install it without fully removing the motherboard from the case.

Thanks for the tip! I'm unsure if mine is socket AM5; I have a Gigabyte B660 Master DDR4 ATX LGA1700.