Method and system are disclosed for cooling microprocessors and other data processing circuits in wagering game terminals. The method and system of the invention allow a wagering game terminal to be retrofitted with a cooling system for a different microprocessor-based application while making few or no changes to the wagering game terminal. The retrofitted microprocessor cooling system provides greater thermal dissipation, ensuring that the microprocessor will operate within the specified temperature range. The cooling system also takes up less space and has fewer components, resulting in a lower cost overall. And since few or no changes are made to the wagering game terminal, existing inventory of equipment and components may be used.