Tomcat i875PR S5102-P
Chapter 2: Board Installation
Heatsink Installation
After you are done installing the processor, you should proceed to installing the heatsink. The
heatsink will ensure that the processor does not overheat, and will continue to operate at
maximum performance. An overheated processor is also dangerous to the long-term reliability
of the motherboard.
The following diagram will illustrate how to install the most common heatsinks:
Install the mounting bracket onto the
motherboard by aligning the bracket with the four
holes around the processor socket. Once the
bracket is aligned, press down on the four white
pegs on the bracket until they insert securely,
locking the bracket onto the motherboard. Then
proceed to installing the heatsink. Instructions on
how to install heatsinks should be provided with
the heatsink itself.
First, use thermal compound (also
called heatsink compound or thermal
grease) and apply a small amount on
to the processor’s core – the small
shiny square in the center of the
processor.
You may then use a small soft plastic
tool, like a credit card to gently smear
a thin layer of heatsink compound as
evenly as you can across the core. In
most cases, you don’t need to do this
but it may help.
Then, at an angle, clip one side of the
heatsink onto the socket and then lay
the heatsink flat onto the processor.
Then clip the other end of the heatsink
down either with your finger or by
using a flathead screwdriver.
Some heatsinks have a small clip on
the inside of one of the clips which you
can insert a small flathead screw
driver into to secure the heatsink.
In most cases, either side of the
heatsink can be clipped down last, but
usually, the side of the socket where it
is raised, secures last.
Because one side of the socket is
raised (and usually has “SOCKET”
imprinted into it) heatsinks have an
indent on one side to secure flush with
the raised side of the socket.
Be sure to carefully observe which
side your heatsink is seated before
securing it down to avoid damaging
the processor, the heatsink or both.
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