Thread: Installing a processor and heatsink ?

So i'm fairly knowledgeable when it comes to swapping out computer parts, and building systems from pieces of other systems.

The only thing I've never done so far is installing a heatsink and processor on a motherboard. All motherboards that I've swapped or installed have already had the processor and heatsink installed.



I've been contemplating building a new system completely from scratch and was wondering.... just how difficult is it? Is it easy to screw up or damage?

I've watched a few youtube tutorials, but I don't want to spend $1,000 on a new MB and processor only to destroy it lol. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

:)

From personal experience....it's faily easy

especially the processor...just be sure to put it in the right way...and you can't get that wrong if you follow the marking which is a triangle in one of the corners of the processor has to match the same on the board.

Then it's about applying the paste....different people have different preferences in terms of spreading it....just do a little zigzag then spread with a credit card (it'l get dirty so maybe use old one) across the whole surface so it's a thin layer spread evenly

Then the heatsink can be a little tricky...especially if your going for a non-standard one...sometimes googling instructions for the specific heatsink can help loads...even youtube....but if it's the standard one it should be fairly straight forward....just read the instructions carefully and you can't really go wrong...it should just sit into place the way it's meant to

Make sure to remove any existance thermal paste with a purifier/removal liquid. You can get them at most computer stores. The surface needs to be completly rid of any existance of paste before applying a new brand/new thermal paste. In regards to applying it, Ive found a pea shaped size spread with a card goes a long way.

CPU installation is very easy, make sure no dust is there prior to installation.

About the TIM (Thermal interface material) I recommend Noctua NT-H1or OCZ freeze.

You should clean previous TIM, first with alcohol then with acetone, lint free clothing should be used so no residue is left and the surface is completely smooth and clean.

Small pea shape spread gives the best results, it spreads evenly and press all the air bubbles out making very good thermal conductivity.
Watch this:



Once you spread the TIM you should immediately install the CPU cooler so no dust gets there. I even use gloves when I do this so no oil comes off my hands.
Another tip, if there's dust, don't blow air on it with your mouth because you will leave a small amount of moisture that can ruin the thermal conductivity and even rust the CPU and it's cooler.

Lastly, I recommend NH-D14 by noctua as CPU cooler Noctua.at - sound-optimised premium components "Designed in Austria"!
It weighs about 1 kg and it comes with very silent fans, thermal paste and even a special screw for the bolts, it also fit all the sockets and probably will fit future sockets as well.

This is all very helpful. Thanks peeps! Just to clarify... this will be a new build... so I won't have any old residue to remove :)

Originally Posted by Magyar

This is all very helpful. Thanks peeps! Just to clarify... this will be a new build... so I won't have any old residue to remove :)

Then I also recommend you to replace the TIM on your video card from the crappy stock TIM.

Don't overlook lapping the heatsink before installation. You can really improve the heat transfer by sanding down the contact surface smooth. Just get a couple grains of sandpaper, all the way down to ultra super duper fine. use the roughest first, working in a circular motion, until you get to the finest. When you're done, the surface will reflect like a mirror. I used to do this when I was into overclocking, but I don't really bother with it anymore.

Edit: Also I use a razor to spread the thermal paste, then take a plastic bag, stretch it over my finger, and use that to really rub the paste in. With these two methods, you will get maximum surface contact between the CPU and the heatsink. Good luck!

Originally Posted by jacobean

Don't overlook lapping the heatsink before installation. You can really improve the heat transfer by sanding down the contact surface smooth. Just get a couple grains of sandpaper, all the way down to ultra super duper fine. use the roughest first, working in a circular motion, until you get to the finest. When you're done, the surface will reflect like a mirror. I used to do this when I was into overclocking, but I don't really bother with it anymore.

Edit: Also I use a razor to spread the thermal paste, then take a plastic bag, stretch it over my finger, and use that to really rub the paste in. With these two methods, you will get maximum surface contact between the CPU and the heatsink. Good luck!

That's a very VERY bad advice, CPU cooler manufacturers today learned to smooth the surface of cooler professionally, you can't match a metal smoothing machine with sandpaper!
And there were tests about sanding down the CPU, making it smooth and exposing the copper layer, it only improved by about 1-2 degree cooler.

About the spreading method, I already said what need to be said and the video clearly proves it.

Like, I said, i haven't messed with it other than spreading on some thermal goo since I quit overclocking, years ago. Maybe heatsink manufacturers have gotten better. I don't know, I use the stock heatsinks now, and they're not very smooth. You can see the grain. The last CPU I lapped a heatsink for was a Athlon 2500+. I suppose the high end heatsinks now probably are better. The razorblade + stretched plastic comes out about the same as the video, except you have more control over where you're putting the paste. Here's an article, from 2004, explaining where i'm coming from. Depending on how your heat sink looks, it might be worth a once-over.