Help building computer, particularly due to inexperience with the CPU cooler

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leftisthominid

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Jan 7, 2014
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I've built a computer before long ago, but I never have dealt with an aftermarket cooler.

I know the first thing I do is put is install the CPU cooler bracket, but I have a few questions

1) This questions sounds dumb, but I might as well ask. I can rest the motherboard on the anti-static bag while I install the cooler bracket/backplate, right?
2) My motherboard does not have a CPU cover, should I place my CPU in before I start to install the CPU cooler backplate?
3) I momentarily touched the part of the Zalman CPU cooler that will eventually touch the CPU is that bad/unsafe? (there was no thermal grease on it)
4) The Zalman manual says the two sided tape for the backplate is not needed, should I ignore it or use it anyways?
5) While I should install the backplate first, is it all right to place the CPU cooler after the motherboard is screwed down?
6) I know I am suppose to only use a rice-grain worth of thermal grease onto the CPU, how do I spread it? I am probably going to borrow some latex gloves from the lab bench, could I just use my finger?
7) My 4-pin case speaker has two wires (one black, one red) attached, which one goes to the +5V pin and which one goes to the "Speaker" pin? (Case documentation doesn't say squat)

Thanks!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor (Purchased For $118.49)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS10X OPTIMA CPU Cooler (Purchased For $9.99)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (Purchased For $116.98)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (Purchased For $76.49)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $59.99)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card (Purchased For $249.99)
Case: Rosewill R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $49.99)
Power Supply: Rosewill Hive 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $49.99)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer (Purchased For $16.99)
Total: $748.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-26 23:14 EST-0500)
 
Solution
ewok93
Yes you can, but keep a foot on something metal to ground yourself. You should probably that the CPU out when installing the backplate, though you shouldn't need to, it would suck if it well out. There is nothing wrong with touching it if you got nothing on it and didn't break anything. Don't spread it, this causes air bubbles, the pressure from the cooler will be enough to spread it evenly. It does not need to cover the whole CPU, as the hot spot is mostly in the center. Not sure about the last one.
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ewok93

ewok93

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Yes you can, but keep a foot on something metal to ground yourself. You should probably that the CPU out when installing the backplate, though you shouldn't need to, it would suck if it well out. There is nothing wrong with touching it if you got nothing on it and didn't break anything. Don't spread it, this causes air bubbles, the pressure from the cooler will be enough to spread it evenly. It does not need to cover the whole CPU, as the hot spot is mostly in the center. Not sure about the last one.
 
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Solution
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leftisthominid

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So basically the copper part of the heatsink (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-heat-sink-haswell,3554-19.html) will spread the thermal grease for me?

Do you know what difference the two-sided tape thing does? My manual says to ignore it, but the only installation video (in English) I could find, uses it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZareUYY_6k).

Also, can I mount the mobo, after I install the backplate but before I actually screw in the fan? Thanks!

 
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leftisthominid

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Thanks for all the help, I talked to someone else with this cooler and they told me I should install it before I put it in the case because screwing is a pain.

I will
1) Remove the stock backplate and put in new one
2) Place the CPU
3) Place a pea-sized drop of compound in the center
4) Place the heat sink with the force going straight down (no rotating, no angle)
5) Screw in the heatsink
6) Mount the motherboard
7) Start plugging ram/GPU, case connections, and SATA (and the HDMI monitor)
8) Plug in the PSU connectors, and then plug in the PSU and hope everything works.

Sounds right?
 
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leftisthominid

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Something was whack with the heatsink or the backplate. Followed the direction to the letter, but the screws from the heatsink weren't reaching the backplate...

I grabbed some isopropyl alcohol wipes, cleaned of the processor and heatsink, and loaded in the stock heatsink...

Going to return the Zalman, everything else worked as it should

Another quick question though. I have case USB 2.0 ports, but I attached the connector straight to the MB, and I had no problem using them. (It was basically one piece of plastic with holes in the same place as the connector pictured)

Was I supposed to use the connector? Thanks!


G9vqsaY.jpg

 
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