Micro Computer Hardware Servicing: CPU Installation (PC Assembly)

Determine your CPU type: . .

Keep in mind that the terms processor and CPU may be used interchangeably so you can get used to hearing both references and better relate the terms to the same thing. Mainly there are two different types of processors, socket and slot.

Socket Processor

The picture below is a socket processor; it has a bunch of pins on the underside of the processor and looks much different from the one below it, the slot processor.

Slot Processor

The slot processor is rectangular shaped and the part you see is actually just the casing around the processor, a sort of protective housing. Most likely you won't have a say in what kind you get since the computing industry decides what's most popular. First the socket processors ruled, then the slots processors were introduced, but now Intel and AMD are switching back to the socket processors. After you've determined what kind of CPU you have, move on to one of the

1. Socket processor installation: . .

This installation is a little more difficult, but all you have to do is be careful that you don't bend any pins and make sure you orient the processor correctly to fit in.

Warning!!! Touch the case! Remember, if you're not using a static wristband then make sure you are always touching the case while handling electronic components. Make sure your forearm is touching the perimeter of the case. the socket.

When you look down at the motherboard you will see a place for the processor to go that looks like the picture below. If you look closely, you can see that one of the corners of the socket (the top right corner) is missing a hole. That's so it matches up with the processor and the processor can fit into the socket in only one way. You should also see a small lever towards the top of the socket that if pushed down and away from the socket, will lift up and shift the top part of the socket one way. This will be used to secure the processor in place.

Once the lever is up you're ready to put the processor in place. Just make sure you find the corner on the processor that is missing a pin, and place the processor down into the socket. If all the pins line up then it should plug in there fairly easily, although it could take just a little gentle moving around to find it's place. Once you are positive that the pins are lined up and in their place, push down on the processor and push the lever down and lock it into place. Once the CPU is secure, you'll need to install the heatsink.

A heatsink (pictured above) is a metal structure that is used to dissipate heat generated by the processor. Although the heatsink does a great job at cooling down the processor, a fan and possibly some heatsink compound will be necessary. Your CPU is going to generate a LOT of heat since all the information in the computer will be passing through it in the form of electricity, thus heating it up. The heatsink will collect that heat, and the fan will pull the heat away from the valleys in the heatsink helping it cool down. Even with a heatsink and fan something else, a heartsink compound (pictured below), will help tremendously in creating a better heat conducting transfer point between the heatsink and processor.

To use heatsink compound all you have to do is put a little drop of it on the processor, then secure the heatsink down on top of it. Make sure you wipe up any excess compound that may squeeze out of the sides. Once the heatsink is centered you can place the fan on, although most of the time the heatsink and fan are sold together so they may already be attached. .

Depending on the type of fan you have will determine how it is installed. Most likely there will be instructions that come with it so please consult those for specific directions on how to secure it. Most likely you will simply hook the fan over the heatsink and processor, connecting it to the plastic socket holding the processor in.

Once the fan is installed, make sure you connect the wire that powers the fan. The fan does you no good unless it's plugged in!

2. Slot processor installation:

Installation of a slot processor is a little easier than a socket CPU since all you have to do is plug it in. There is only one way to plug it in and there are guide rails to make sure it goes in securely.

Installing the heatsink and fan on a slot processor is a little different than a socket processor. With the slot processor everything is put on the processor itself, and then attached to the motherboard. Since the fans and heat-sinks may vary, please check your manual to see how it is specifically attaches to the processor.

Once the heatsink and fan are attached to the processor, just slide the processor into place in its slot with the fan and heatsink pointing towards the front of the case as pictured on the right.