Antec Kuhler H2O 920 Installation Instructions
If you have purchased an Antec Kuhler H2O 920 Liquid Cooling System and feel the instructions included with the device are not helpful, then you are at the right place. We recently installed this liquid cooling system without any difficulty and wanted to share our experience with anyone it could benefit. It is our hope that you will read these instructions thoroughly before beginning installation to get a vision of what you will be doing as you install your new Antec Kuhler H2O 920. These instructions will assume this is a new system build so you cannot install the software first as the Antec instructions dictate.
The system we are building:
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K57 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD4 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 ATX Motherboard
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR Desktop Memory Model
Western Digital Caviar Black WD7502AAEX 750GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5″ Internal Hard Drive
2 Cooler Master R4-S4S-10AK-GP 140mm case fans mounted in the front of the case
Antec Kuhler H2O 920 liquid cooling system
Thermaltake Black Widow W0319RU 850W ATX 12V v2.3, PFC Power Supply
EVGA 012-P3-1570-AR GeForce GTX 570 Video Card
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
Start by laying out all the parts you need for the processor type you are installing. For the Intel 1155 processor we used the blue inserts, wider retention ring and the wider backplate. Lay out the eight screws for the fans and the eight flat washers and put a flat washer on each screw. You will want these easily available later.
Step One:
Installing the retention ring and backplate:
Install the processor in its socket according to the motherboard manufacturers instructions. With the numbers on the backplate facing you, insert the threaded metal inserts into the proper holes corresponding to your socket type. For the 1155 socket use the holes marked 1156. The head of each threaded insert should be recessed into the slot provided on the backplate. From the back of the motherboard, align the backplate so the threaded inserts fit into each of the four holes that would secure the OEM heat sink and fan assembly. Do not worry about the arrangement looking symmetrical because it will appear misaligned for the 1155 socket. If any threaded insert does not line up, then re-check that the insert is in the proper backplate hole for your socket type. Once the inserts fit, install the double sided tape to the smooth surface of the backplate and re-install the backplate to the back of the motherboard. All the tape does is secure the backplate while you are installing the retention ring.
For the 1155 socket, install the blue inserts into the retention ring with the locking clips toward the center of the ring. If you pick up the retention ring by the notched locking ring, the inserts should hang down from the slots.
This is important: Thread the four screws through the proper hole on each of the blue inserts until they rotate freely and the threads are exposed. For the 1155 socket these were the inside holes closest to the retention ring. From the top of the motherboard, set the retention ring down over the four threaded inserts that are protruding up from the back of the board. They should line up. If they do not line up, then make sure the screws are in the correct holes in the blue inserts. Start each screw by hand and get about two rounds on each screw. The retention ring should move freely up and down on top of the motherboard.
Now install the motherboard into the case according to the manufacturers instructions. Be sure to connect the ATX 12 volt connector because you may not have access to it after the fans and radiator are installed.
Step Two:
Installing the fans and pump assembly:
Install the first fan to the inside rear of the case making sure to observe the direction of air flow and the orientation of the wires that power the fan. You want the airflow to exhaust from the inside of the case to the outside. We turned the fans so the wiring was closest to the holes in the top of the motherboard tray. Two standard fan screws in opposite corners will hold it in place while you install the radiator. Line up the radiator to the fan and install two of the provided screws and washers in opposite corners making sure you have the radiator in the orientation you want. We positioned the radiator vertically with the hoses at the bottom to insure any air in the system would want to collect in the upper radiator tank. That is just our preference. Now replace the temporary screws with two more of the longer screws and their washers. Make sure all four screws are snug, do not over-tighten them.
Do Not install the second fan yet.
Position the pump over the CPU in what ever orientation you think best making sure the hoses are not kinked or rubbing on your GPU, memory, or case. Remove the plastic cover; hold up the retention ring to insert the pump into the ring and rotate it slightly until the tabs lock into the notches on the pump. Press down lightly and tighten the retention ring screws a little at a time diagonally until it is secured to the motherboard.
Now install the second fan to the radiator with the screws and washers provided. Connect the wiring from the two fans to the harness provided and the other end of the harness to your CPU FAN Header.
This is important: Be sure to align the tab on the motherboard CPU FAN header to the recess on the harness plug because the fan plug is only a three wire connection and one pin on the motherboard will not be used. Now route the USB cable from the pump to a USB Header.
This is important: Be sure the connector has the correct orientation. This is a five hole connector with only four wires. Some websites have pictures of this connector plugged in incorrectly. On our Gigabyte board the connector used pins 2, 4, 6, and 8 while pin 10 is shown in the empty hole. (See the picture)
Now you can complete the installation of your hardware and start the system. The Antec light on the pump should be white, the fans should be running on a low speed, and you should see your CPU temperatures are OK in the BIOS. Install Windows and your drivers, then install the Antec software. You will need to reboot after the software installs and Windows will find the driver and the Antec light will turn blue.
It really is this easy. These instructions are offered with no warranty expressed or implied. This is what worked for us and may not work for you. Good Luck
Here are some of the better reviews of the Antec Kuhler H2O 920 Liquid Cooler.