Next is the processor. Before you install the processor you need to have some
heat sink compound or grease that goes between the processor and
the heat sink. Check the processor and heat sink, there may be a small plastic
tube of heat sink compound or
conducting-gel, if not you can buy some at your local electronics store. If the
heat sink is already attached to the processor do not remove it, you will not
need the heat sink compound.
Look at the socket on the motherboard, there is a lever on the side, lifting
this lever will move the locking mechanism to the open position. The socket is
made so the processor will only fit one way. There are markings on the processor
and the socket to indicate the #1 pin orientation. Some processors have a little
triangle, some have a small dot: it may be black paint or an indentation in the
metal cover. The socket will have a place where there are no pin holes in one
corner. It may have a painted black dot also.
Carefully lower the processor into the socket, if it does not drop into the
pin holes on the first try you can try moving it around very gently (the pins on
the processor are very thin and coated with gold, they are not very strong
individually and will bend or break easily). If it still doesn't drop into the
holes take it back out and check the #1 pin orientation. If you have it
orientated correctly and it will not drop in check the lever on the socket,
close it and open it, the socket may not be completely unlocked. If it still
will not drop in without force, look at the pins on the processor, you may have
to use a magnifying glass to see the pins. See if any or bent. If you have a
bent pin you can very gently straighten it with a pair of needle nose pliers or
retractable ball point pen with the cartridge retracted.
Once the processor has dropped into the socket, move the lever downward, some
sockets will "click" when they lock, press the lever into the locking tabs.
The processor should come with a heat sink and fan (check the installation guide
for the heat sink and fan on how to install them), apply the heat sink compound,
then the heat sink and fan. Connect the fan cable to the motherboard connector.
