DeepCool Mystique 360 AIO Watercooler Review

Installing the DeepCool Mystique 360 is extremely easy and the universal mounting hardware will allow the process to be the same across all platforms provided that you use the correct brackets.  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.  The included backplate can be adjusted between LGA1200 and LGA1700, just make sure to slide the pins to match your system.

The next step I took was to install the mounting rails to the pump block.  There is a single set of rails for Intel based systems and they are secured using four screws with tapered shoulders.

To build the platform to support the cooler you’ll need to locate the appropriate set of plastic spacers.  For LGA1700 these are fluted along the vertical axis so be sure to use the correct ones for your system.  The major difference between the two spacers is height and while the smooth spacers will work they won’t provide the same clamping force.

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.

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.

As with most high end motherboards the VRM heatsinks are quite large and make it difficult to install the capscrews to secure the heatsink.  On several occasions I found myself having to remove the heatsink after losing hold of the capscrew. 

This is where I feel a different mounting method would be desirable using something to self align the capscrew over the threaded post.

I would like to call out that given the size of the DeepCool Mystique 360 pumpblock there is really only one way to install it on an Intel LGA 1700 motherboard and that is with the hoses facing the expansion slots.

If you use the alternative then you'll be blocking one of your memory slots.  Luckly for everyone, the hoses are quite long making the entire installation process pretty easy.

Given that the fans came pre-installed the only thing left is to attach the 3-pin digital RGB header, the power to the AIO pump, fan extension for the radiator fans and a SATA power plug for the 2.8” TFT LCD panel.