never installed heatsink before

[Sirknockalot]

I bought my motherboard and processor in a combo that was already put together. The motherboard died and I sent it back for warranty and got it back. Everything that I've read about installing a heat sink says if you make one wrong move the whole thing goes up in smoke... It doesn't appear to be that difficult. Should I have the local repair shop do it for me?

 

[lhgpoobaa]

If you're really unsure yes. I suggest you watch them do it and learn that way.
Or download the instructions from the relivant website.

Its not hard, but yes there are things you can do that will kill the CPU.
The most common ones are:
A. Putting the heatsink on at an angle or hot holding it flat, crushing or chipping the core.
or
B. Not being on properly or around backwards, leading to excessive heat and/or cpu burnout.



<b><i>Poloticians and Nappies should be changed often... For much the same reason.</b></i>

 

[Sirknockalot]

The things I am more worried about are applying the thermal paste and attaching the clips to the socket. As long as I apply an amount of paste within reason, it should be ok? There is old paste on the processor and the heatsink. Do I need to clean that off? Do I only apply paste to the core of the cpu? I had a hard time figuring out how to remove the heatsink, which makes me worry about attaching the clips to the socket

 

[Teq]

As Poobaa says, if you are very unsure of yourself, you should have it done by someone who's done it before.

But it's not that difficult...

1) Clean the bottom (where it meets the CPU) thoroughly with isopropal alcohol (get it at your pharmacy) and a soft cloth being very sure to get all the old thermal goop off. If there's a rubbery pad there you may have to do some scraping... use a plastic scraper to avoid scratching the heatsink. When done the bottom should be hospital clean and nice and shiny.

2) Also using alcohol clean away all the thermal goop from the top of the CPU with a q-tip removing all old termal paste and any dirt or dust that may be there.

3) Apply thermal grease (get it at your computer store or Radio Shack) according to these illustrated instructions:
<A HREF="http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm" target="_new">http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm</A>
(use this method no matter what brand you buy)

4) Being very careful to orient the heatsink so the high side of the step on it's bottom is over the cambox (where the lever pivots) of the CPU's socket, set the heatsink in place. <b>Do Not</b> press down or slide it around... this may damage the CPU.

5) Engage one side of the mounting clip.

6) Using an appropriate tool (usually a flat blade screwdriver) press down and engage the other side of the clip.

7) all done.

If you would like illustrated instructions, you can view them here:
<A HREF="http://www.spirecooler.com/installation.asp#0606625" target="_new">http://www.spirecooler.com/installation.asp#0606625</A>
This page shows the methods for several different types of clips, so your's should be covered. Ignore the step about the thermal pad, since you will be using thermal grease instead.

Hope this helps...



--->It ain't better if it don't work<---