Corsair blog

Over the past year or two, we have greatly expanded the Corsair CPU Cooler product line. One of these new additions is our new Air Series™ CPU coolers which we proudly debuted at CEBIT in March 2010. We offer two models at this time, the Air Series A70 and Air Series A50.

The Corsair A70

To quote the great Yogi Berra, “it’s deja vu all over again.” Parts of this guide may appear hauntingly familiar if you read the A70/A50 guide for Intel systems. However, the mounting process differs for each, so AMD users of course get their own guide.

 If you’re serious about high-performance computing, you already know that you’ve got to keep your CPU cool. Cooling not only gives your CPU the headroom it needs for reliable overclocking, it can also extend the life of your valuable investment. As a result you need CPU cooler that not only significantly outperforms your stock CPU heatsink, but one that does it quietly.

The Corsair Air Series A70 High-Performance CPU Cooler uses advanced thermal engineering technology to deliver superior air cooling performance: four 8mm copper heatpipes directly contact your CPU, and the surface is machined to increase heat transfer efficiency. Dual speed-selectable 120mm fans, mounted on rubber studs, spin quietly in a push-pull configuration for optimum airflow.

Features

• Compatible with Intel and AMD systems
• Four 8mm copper direct-contact heatpipes
• Aluminum fins
• Low-noise, low-vibration 120mm fans mounted on rubber studs
• Selectable 1,600 or 2,000RPM allows you to select the cooling performance you want
• Two-year warranty
• Designed to fit Intel LGA 775, LGA 1156, LGA 1366, AMD Core AM2, and AMD Core AM3 motherboards

The Air Series A70 and A50 CPU coolers both use the same mounting methods and hardware for AMD and Intel motherboards. Mounting your CPU cooler on either board is very simple and takes only a few minutes. For the Intel mount, you will need a Phillips head screw driver. The included parts are shown below and are also shown in the illustrated installation guide included with your cooler. The kit below is for the A70 and includes a second fan. The A50 kit includes same mounting hardware and a single fan.

The AMD installation uses the stock AMD mounting bracket and has no back plate. AMD installation can be performed with the motherboard mounted in a case. Our illustrations are given with the motherboard outside the case.

Apply the TIM and Note the Retention Tabs

We have included a tube of thermal interface material, or TIM, and you will need to apply a small drop of the material to the center of the AMD CPU as shown. A drop the size of a small pea or grain of rice is sufficient.

Once the TIM is applied, the next step is to sit the cooler on top of the CPU. The AMD retention bracket attaches to the 2 retention tabs that are on each side of the CPU socket. One tab is circled in red above. This method emulates the stock AMD mounting method and therefore requires no aftermarket back plate or removal of the stock CPU cooler mount.

Locking the AMD Retention Lever

Once the retention lever is attached to the two retention tabs and over the base of the cooler in the unlocked position, you simply rotate the locking mechanism clockwise and the cooler is mounted.

The picture below shows the lever in the unlocked position. Be sure that the lever is attached to both retention tabs.

AMD Lever Unlocked

Rotate the locking mechanism clockwise as shown. Your Air Series CPU cooler is now mounted.

The AMD Lever Locked

Mount the Fans

Fan mounting is the same for both the Air Series A70 and A50. Different motherboard layouts, chipset coolers, memory heat sinks, and other factors may influence the fan location. Each system will be unique so use your own judgment to determine the best position for your fan. Locking tabs on the plastic shroud on the fan click easily into a groove on the cooling fins. As seen below, a gentle push is all it takes. As previously noted, the A50 has a single fan while the A70 has 2 fans.

The Fan Before

The locking tabs are circled in red. The groove into which they lock is indicated by the red arrow. Above is a before picture. Push gently and the locking tabs click easily into place as seen below. Repeat for a second fan if needed.

The Fan After

This guide is intended to supplement the instructions included with the Air Series A70 and Air Series A50 CPU coolers. We would like to thank you for choosing Corsair Air Series CPU cooling. These units are both excellent choices for cooling your AMD CPU.

This document can be found in .pdf format HERE.