Installation (continued):
The images below show the CPU cooler mounted to the test system, and just about ready for action.
 
The next two images take a look at the IFX-14 from different angles, with the below right image also showing the back-side cooler in place. If you have a cramped case, this is not the cooler for you. The CPU cooler is large enough to create problems, but the back-side cooler needs some room of its own, too.
 
The IFX-14 can be mounted on a motherboard in two different directions, either oriented so the fans push hot air up, or rotated 90 degrees to push the air out the back of the case. As you can see from the below left image, orienting the heatsink with the fan(s) blowing towards the back of the case will block easy access to the first two RAM slots. This isn't an issue if you are only using one fan placed in the middle of the heatsink, but would be an annoyance with two fans. You could still mount the heatsink in this orientation with two fans, but would have to remove the right most fan to access memory modules in the first slot. Also, it would eliminate the possibility of using anything but the smallest of memory coolers on RAM installed in the first two slots.
 
Orienting the heatsink vertically with the fans blowing towards that top of the case is probably the better choice for this cooling system (see above right image). This is especially true of computer cases that have a top mounted exhaust fan. The vertical orientation of the fans means that you can install two or even three fans on the heatsink and still keep your memory slots free of obstructions. This orientation also leaves ample room around the memory slots for access. It still leaves very little room for large RAM coolers, especially on the Asus P5K-Premium, and to a slightly lesser extent the Abit P35-E, but smaller memory coolers should fit ok.
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