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12
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation
Chapter 2
Installing the CPU, Fan and Heat Sink
The CPU must be kept cool by using a CPU fan with heat sink. Without sufficient air circula-
tion across the CPU and heat sink, the CPU will overheat damaging both the CPU and system
board.
1. Before you place the CPU on the heat sink, you must apply a thermal paste onto the top
of the heat sink. The thermal paste is usually supplied when you purchase the fan with
heat sink assembly. Do not spread the paste all over the surface. When you later place the
CPU on top of the heat sink, the compound will disperse evenly.
Some heat sinks come with a patch of pre-applied thermal paste. Do not apply thermal
paste if the fan with heat sink already has a patch of thermal paste on its underside. Peel
the strip that covers the paste before you place the CPU on top of the heat sink.
Note:
A boxed Intel
®
processor already includes the CPU fan and heat sink assembly. If your
CPU was purchased separately, make sure to only use Intel
®
-certified fan and heat
sink.
2. Insert the CPU into the
CPU carrier. The gold
triangular mark on the CPU
must align with the corner
of the CPU carrier shown
on the photo.
Gold triangular mark
3. Place the CPU carrier on
top of the heat sink. Place
the triangular hole near
the mounting hole #1 of
the heat sink. Use the
push-pins around the CPU
carrier to secure the CPU
carrier onto the heat sink.
You will hear a distinctive
“click”, indicating the CPU
carrier is correctly locked
into position.
Triangular hole
Mounting hole #1 of
the heat sink
Mounting hole #1
Triangular hole
4. Slide the protective caps
and remove them from the
board.
