CPU installation tips

[B_MAN]

i plan on purchasing a new barton 2500 soon
but ive never installed a cpu before
can you guys offer any tips on the installation of the core and of the thermal compound etc etc
thanks :cheers:

 

[GPRT]

don't put huge amounts of thermal compound on or else it may act as an insulator, make sure its spread evenly to get maximum contact with the cpu.

Good luck!

 

[lePobz]

Remove the motherboard from the case before removing the CPU cooler and CPU from it - it takes a bit longer but its so much easier and safer, and you won't make a mess of the thermal compound (if you need it).

If you're going to use the stock AMD heatsink, don't be afraid to use a bit of brute force to get the bracket in place, just make sure you don't slip and shove a screwdriver through the motherboard.

Good luck!

 

[manny_c44]

Yeah, what Pobz said. When your hooking on that fan bend the metal, don't be afraid of braking it.

 

[simmo]

just make sure you don't slip and shove a screwdriver through the motherboard.

urgh, dont remind me, I brought a coolermaster and it was a wee bit to small to fit, and I NEARLY smashed it to pieces cause I was so pi**ed off it wouldnt go on

TBH, I dont think I put enough paste on the CPU, but I dont dare take the coolermaster off cause I might not get it on again! :O lol

 

[JimmehH]

Yeah. Takes a lot of force.

Getting them off is worse. I had to put nearly all my weight on the screwdriver. I was almost lifting up off the ground!

 

[B_MAN]

i have an after market thermaltake cooler on my cpu now
so ill probably use that for my new one
im now getting a barton 2800 btw
also, should i put paste on the bottom of the heatsink as well as the core?

 

[JimmehH]

Just the core and little (5mm) of the way round it.

 

[[Matt]]

I find the best way to put thermal compound on a CPU is to put a very small blob of about 3-4 mm in diameter in the centre. Then I use a freezer bag as a kind of glove so i can spread the paste evenly with my finger. The trick is to put just enough compound on so that you can cover all of the shiny CPU core but not so much that it splooges out of the sides when seating the heatsink.

 

[Asus]

Yeah, the least amount of grease that still covers the CPU die.

Most heatsinks aren't that bad to put on but they can be tricky and you would want to be careful with the screwdriver.
Of course those thermalright SLK*00U heatsinks are great because they use 4 spring loaded screws, no clips or clamps. hehe

 

[blackeye]

I have never installed my own CPU I always get someone else to do it because im always afraid of cracking it or putting to much thermal compound on or over tighting the heatsink, breaking pins.............................
But I came acrross this the other day, I was just wondering of this guy put on to much thermal compound or not.
Link....Link

 

[lePobz]

That's a socket 939, designed to be completely covered in thermal paste (as the die is shielded underneath the top layer of the cpu)

In cases where the top of the CPU is one flat metal surface, then you should cover the whole thing. Otherwise, just cover the DIE (the lil rectangular chip in the centre) with a thin-as-possible coat of thermal compound.

 

[Asus]

Well, you can cover the entire chip because it has the heatspreader and it won't short anything. But I still wouldn't put that much on. hehe
With just the die showing, the only thing between the heatsink and the core is the thermal compound so it is important to have it completely covered with a thin layer.
But with a heatspreader you would only put a small amount in the center. There is no reason to cover the entire heatspreader. Even check out arctic silver's website for instructions.