[GUIDE] Installing the ICE Tower cooler on a Raspberry Pi 3B

[sgrontflix]

Hi, everyone! I've recently purchased the ICE Tower cooler from 52Pi for my Raspberry Pi 3B. Even though they advertise it as compatible with the Raspberry Pi 3B, there's a little problem: the cooler doesn't touch the CPU.

As you can see in the picture above, the 3B+ has got a protective metal shield on top of the CPU (the same goes for the Pi 4), which makes the cooler fit properly. However, this is not the case for the 3B. Since this is a really good cooler, I decided to do something about it.

If you want to follow this guide, please keep in mind that you'll be doing it at your own risk.

You will need:

• 4 M2.5*6mm female to female brass standoffs;
• 4 M2.5 hexagonal nuts, which are already included with the cooler;
• 4 M2.5*25mm (or longer) Philips head screws.

You can easily find these components online. I purchased them on AliExpress for less than 5 euros in total.

• First off, put the screws through each of the four holes of the acrylic base.
• Secure the screws using the standoffs;
• Apply your thermal paste or one of the stock thermal pads on the CPU;
• Align the PCB holes of the Raspberry Pi with the screws and lay it down;
• Take the cooler, align the metal bracket holes with the screws and lay it down;
• Lastly, secure the cooler with the nuts.

Your Pi should look like this:

I used 30mm screws because I couldn't find the 25mm ones.

I've also drawn this picture for easier installing: