Installing the new processor

Important

The illustrations in this document show a typical computer. They may not exactly match your configuration and may include options you did not purchase. However, they are similar enough to your computer that they should help you install your processor successfully.

Installing the new processor

    This section shows you how to install processors into socket and slot connectors on the system board.

Identify your processor. For more information, see "Identifying your processor".
If you have a socket processor, go to "Installing a socket processor".
If you have a slot processor, go to "Installing a slot processor".

Installing a socket processor

To install a socket processor:

    1. Lift up the lever on the side of the socket.

    2. Match up the pins on the bottom of the new processor with the holes in the socket, then gently insert the processor into the socket.
      Use the corner arrow reference marks on the processor and socket to align the processor in the socket.

Warning

Do not force the processor into the socket or you could damage the processor.

    1. Press down on the lever on the side of the socket.

    2. If your new processor already has the heat sink attached, go to Step 7. Otherwise, go to the next step.

    3. If you have a new heat sink and there is a plastic strip on the bottom of the new heat sink, remove it.
      - OR -
      If you have an old heat sink and a silicon-covered thermal pad came with the replacement processor kit, scrape the old thermal pad off and clean the heat sink with isopropyl alcohol. Then place the new thermal pad in the center of the old heat sink.
    1. Place the heat sink on top of the processor.
    1. Your heat sink may have one of the following retention mechanisms. Follow the instructions that most closely resemble your heat sink.

Warning

You may need to use a small blade screwdriver or needle nose pliers to help you secure the clip. Be careful not to apply too much force or you could damage the socket or system board.

      1. Heat sink with removable retention clips.
      1. Heat sink with captive retention clips
      1. Passive heat sink with removable retention clip
    1. If the processor you are replacing has an active heat sink with a fan power cable that connects to the system board, connect the fan power cable to the fan power cable connector on the system board.
    1. Replace the computer case cover.
      See the documentation that came with your computer for instructions on replacing your computer case cover.
    1. Reconnect the external cables, then plug in the power cord.

Installing a slot processor

To install a slot processor:

    1. Align the processor notch with the processor connector notch, then slide the new processor through the retention rails and into the processor slot on the system board.

    1. Push evenly on both edges until the processor is firmly seated in the processor connector and locks into place.

    2. Your slot processor may have one of the following retention mechanisms. Follow the instructions that most closely resemble your processor.

      1. If you have a processor retention cap, secure it to the retention rails with the screws that you removed earlier.
      1. If you have a bottom retention bracket, insert the retention bracket into the clips until it clicks into place.
      1. If the retention mechanism has latches, close the latches so they click into place.
      1. If the processor has tabs on the sides, make sure that when you installed the processor the tabs locked into place.
    1. If you have a full-size tower case with an additional cooling fan and fan duct, place the duct tabs into the chassis slots and slide the fan duct down until the tabs on the duct slide into the slots in the chassis. Insert and tighten the screw on the back of the chassis that holds the fan duct in place, then connect the fan power connector.
      - OR -
      If you have a mid-size tower case with an additional cooling fan and fan duct, insert the fan/duct assembly over the processor, then connect the fan power connector.
    1. If your processor has an active heat sink, plug the heat sink fan power cable into the fan power cable connector on the system board.
    1. Replace the computer case cover.
      See the documentation that came with your computer for instructions on replacing your computer case cover.
    1. Reconnect the external cables, then plug in the power cord.