Guide: Jon "WildChild" Bish
Editor/Design: Allan "Zardon" Campbell

 

First thing we are going to do is make sure the heat sink/fan for the CPU is properly prepared, usually a retail heat sink will come from the factory with a thin layer of plastic over it to ensure the thermal pad is not damaged.

*AMD has since changed their packaging scheme, they used to have a small plastic strip covering the thermal pad, now they have a hardplastic cover that only needs to be removed.

Before attempting to install the CPU onto the motherboard there are a couple of things in which to check first:

1.) Make sure the pins on the bottom of the CPU are all straight and none are bent.

2.) Lift the arm located on the side of the CPU socket completely to the upward position.

Now when installing the CPU onto the motherboard, make sure the lever on the socket is completely upright, locate the golden triangle or a notched area located on the top of the CPU and point it towards the elbow of the socket arm (inner corner of the socket closest to the arm lever), gently slide the CPU into the socket. If seated correctly the CPU should just slide into the socket...NEVER force the CPU into the socket if it does not just slide into the socket then check to make sure the arm is still upright then check your alignment of the notched/golden triangle to make sure it’s pointed in the correct direction. Once the CPU is inserted into the socket apply minimal pressure to the top of the CPU to ensure the CPU does not move while closing the arm down to secure the CPU in place.

Next we are going to install the heat sink and fan onto the processor. Make sure you have removed the protective plastic coating from the bottom of the heat sink. Start the installation by looking at the bottom of the heat sink...you should see a grooved edge. This edge is to be facing the hinged part of the socket when installing it. Start by hooking the bottom heat sink clip to the bottom edge of the socket carefully, make sure the grooved edge is in the correct position.

Take a flathead screwdriver and gently insert it into the clip and apply minimal pressure, as to bend the clip outward to enable it to be clipped down onto the upper hooks on the socket. Once this is secured, locate the 2 pin labeled CPU fan, plug the CPU fan power plug onto this.

Now we move onto installing the memory modules.

This is a really simple process...simply match the grooves on the memory (1 will be long 1 will be short, or with older memory modules you will have 1 long, 1 medium, and 1 short) up with the slots on the motherboard, apply slight pressure until you feel or hear them snap into place. Usually, you will see 2 tabbed holders clipped around the edges of the memory module which should indicate they are snapped into place. That’s it. You’re done with that part.

 

Next: Continued