Installation

The installation of a BTX cooler is an easy process in general, and things aren't any different with the Cooler Master CB5-7KFSA-02-GP Type II BTX Cooler.  Perhaps it is even easier here since you have two fewer screws to tighten.  The installation for this review finds the CB5-7KFSA-02-GP installed in a system with the following components:

• Intel Pentium D 840 (Dual Core 3.2 GHz) processor
• Intel 945GCZ mBTX motherboard
• 1024 MB (2 x 512 MB) OCZ DDR2 PC2-5400
• 500 GB Seagate 3 Gbps SATA hard drive
• Cooler Master CM Media B260 mBTX case and power supply
• Two channel 5.25" bay LCD thermometer
• Ubuntu Edgy Eft Linux

The images below show the cooler installed in the system described above, and show that it fits just as planned.  You can see the front face of the case is prepared to accept a Type I BTX cooler, and therefore the low profile Type II cooler leaves a good deal of open area on the fan intake area.  I may blind off the opening with tape to force the cooler to draw all air through the front grill of the case (potentially cooler outside air), but my main goal has already been accomplished...  Get the shorter cooler in there to make room for a full size PCI Express graphics cards.

The next set of images show a BFG 6800GT PCI Express video card installed using the riser card provided with the case.  This was not possible with a Type I cooler, as there was interference that could not be overcome.  It is still a tight fit, but it worked.  Cards with ramsinks, capacitors, or other features at the back end probably won't fit still, but at least some will!

Installation of this cooler was as easy as anticipated, and I am pleased to see that I can now use something other than onboard video, or the few (lower end) PCI Express cards that actually fit with a full height cooler.