Cooler Master MasterLiquid PL360 Flux AIO Cooler Review

Installing the MasterLiquid PL360 Flux is extremely easy and the universal mounting hardware will allow the process to be the same on all platforms from AMD to the latest Intel sockets.  On most platforms you will need to use the included backplate and build up a mounting base for the pump block. 

We will be testing on the LGA1700 Alder Lake platform with a Core i7 12700k processor.  These motherboards require a special backplate and will be the first thing to locate.  It is only slightly larger than the LGA1200 counterpart and many early motherboards come with dual mounting holes.

Next, you’ll install the standoffs and these are much taller than previous editions.  The risers thread into the backplate and that is it.  I was able to secure the standoffs with my fingers but you could use a set of pliers if you wanted to strip out the threads.  (use your fingers)  They don’t need to be tight, just snug.

After that you will want to install the mounting rails to the pump block.  They are keyed so they only install one way and you will want the raised area in the center to point up.  These are secured with four screws from the bottom. 

The final two steps involve applying thermal compound and installing the pump block.  I prefer the 5-dot method which involves five small dots on the processor in an X pattern.

Unlike with the threaded risers the nuts holding the MasterLiquid in place are considerably smaller and somewhat difficult to hold.  The tops are slotted to provide more options when installing the cooler.

I found that finger tight is enough to secure the pumpblock however EXTREME care needs to be used to ensure the pumpblock is centered over the CPU and that all four corners have equal pressure.   The pro tip here is to hold the pump block centered over the CPU such that it sits flat and doesn’t rock around.

The cooling fans will need to be installed using the included screws.  You can install them in either a push or pull configuration.  For this build we want to see all of the pretty lights so they will be pushing through the radiator.