The next step is to install the processor onto the motherboard. Now, at this point, the motherboard should just be sitting on your work space, preferably inside of the static protection bag in which it came. Over the next few steps, we will be installing some hardware onto the motherboard before it is installed into the case. The reason is that, in most cases, it is a LOT easier to do this with the motherboard out the case than with the motherboard in the case. The chief reason being room to maneuver your big hands.
Installing the CPU is a pretty straight-forward process. The real risk is to the CPU. Doing this step too fast or carelessly can result in damage to the processor. Therefore, don’t get nervous. It is an easy step, but do it with care.
There are several common interfaces for CPU’s today: Intel currently uses Socket T (775) and AMD uses Socket 939. The older generation of boards uses Socket 478 for Intel and Socket 754 or Socket A (462) for AMD. The numbers correspond to the number of pins on the CPU. But, they all boil down to two basic types: The Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket and the slot. Most processors in use today use a socket to connect to the motherboard, and the type of socket in use is typically the ZIF socket. The ZIF socket opens and closes using a small lever. When the lever is down, the CPU is locked into place. When in the upright position, the processor is loose and can either be installed or removed.
All modern systems make use of the zero-insertion force (ZIF) socket. Therefore, this procedure is relevant with that setup. To install a processor using this type of interface, follow this procedure:
- Check the pins. Turn the chip over and inspect the pins. Are they bent? They should all stick straight up. If many of them are bent, then it is best to request a replacement processor. If only a couple are bent and the bend is not that much, then you may be able to use a screwdriver to gently bend the pins back into place. Do so VERY carefully.
- Open ZIF Socket. This is done by grabbing the lever on one side of the socket and opening it. Pull the lever from the closed, level position, to the open, vertical position. You may need to pull the lever out a bit before it will open. Do this slowly and don’t force it. You don’t want to break the socket. On the way up, you may experience a little more force. This is normal. The top part of the ZIF socket will slide over a bit.
- Orient The Chip. This involves locating Pin 1 on both the chip and the socket. This is easy to do. The chip is always marked at Pin 1. The mark may be a little dot on one corner, a slightly notched corner, or a mark at one of the pins under the chip. On the socket, there is usually a notch on one corner, or a big “1″. These corners will be matched up for correct installation.
- Insert Processor. Bearing in mind the orientation determined in Step 3, insert the chip into the socket. With a ZIF socket, the chip should install very easily. It should almost fall into the socket with all pins lining up. That’s why they call it the Zero Insertion Force socket. If not, the socket is probably not open all the way. If you do not have a ZIF socket (God forbid!), you need to exercise extreme care. Lay the chip on the socket. Make sure all pins line up. Then, slowly push the chip into the socket. Use your thumb and push on one side of the chip until it starts to go in. Then proceed to another side and repeat. Do this around the chip several times until it is completely installed.
- When done, there should be basically no gap between the bottom of the processor and the socket.
- Close ZIF Socket. Just close the lever. You will probably feel some resistance. This is normal and it should close anyway. If you really need to lean on it, though, check to be sure the chip is installed correctly. When down, make sure the lever snaps into place.
- Some retail processors come with the heat sink and fan already attached to the CPU, in which case you will need to attach the CPU fan to the socket at the same time as you close the ZIF socket. After you lock the CPU into place, take the retention clips on either side of the CPU fan (which should line up automatically for you if you inserted the processor correctly in step 4 above) and push them down until each side clips over the tabs on either side of the socket. Sometimes it takes using a screwdriver as leverage to be able to get the retention clips out and over the tabs, but if you do this be very careful not to slip and jab your motherboard with the screwdriver.
i really appreciate this information. i believe that it will help me very much and make me self reliant in handling hard ware issues for the non profit foundation i am maintaining.
Those Damn Tiger Direct guys! I ordered a proccessor from them and they sent me the wrong one! Good Job on the Guide though thanks!
I have never purchase anything from them.I use newegg or zipzoomfly for my parts.Mostly newegg.They are a great company and will respond to you problems and questions quickly.Their prices are much better tham tiger direct anyways,Systemax owns tiger direct and they have never been very helpfull when you ask a question.All they care about is money and to heck with the customer.Dont waste you money.Buy from newegg.They ship fast and pack well.Great company to deal with.
Good thing i found this site because i am a total noob and when i trying to take the cooper cooling element the processor came off to and didnt see the cpu on the element and thought there was no cpu and then the cpu fell off and i had no idea which way it went back and guessed and guessed wrong and it wouldnt boot and started freaking out. note to all noobes when opening a laptop be careful with the cooling element
If you use an intel dual or quad core CPU, then there are no pins on the CPU, and the socket is slightly different. you may need to alter this page to accomadate those CPUs.
What about an AMD quad? I have the Phenom Black Edition.
That is a AM2+ socket. Ya this article is bit dated.. Socket 939 for AMD….old news. Technology is like Fresh product, what you know today tomorrow will be expired.
One thing I did not see listed in this step is making sure you are grounded while touching the cpu and motherboard.I usually make sure the motherboard is on the nonstatic bag while doing this step.
ok you say put the motherbord on the bag , right do you have to find a way to ground yourself at this point . this is my first build on a computer so far i understand what being said till know and is it best to work on it with wood tabel ?
Ed: As long as you get rid of any built up static before you start working you will be fine. Just touch something metal and you are good to go. If you are working on a PC, touching the metal frame of the case first works fine. It’s done to remove (discharge) any electrical charge your body may have. The idea, and it does work, is you will not build up enough new charge fast enough to discharge again.
If the metal object you touch isn’t properly earthed you’re not going to lose much of the charge that’s built up: There’s no proper path for it to go. It’s best totouch a water-pipe or something connected to earth first. Your computer case may or may not be connected to earth.
I suggest wearing an earthed wrist-strap; that way you’re almost gauranteed safety in that department.
(In fact in some electronics construction jobs in the UK people can actually be fired for not wearing a wrist-strap while they work.)
Ms. Sharron is right. Just touching a random peice of metal doesn’t work. Make sure that before you connect yourself to the earth ground of your house, apartment, or whatever that you verify the outlet is connected correctly. If the ground isn’t set up right you still might get a little shock of your own! ESD can cause your system not to work at all, even on the components that are less ESD sensitive than a CPU.
Some of the newer Intel processors don’t even use pins anymore.
Hi, do you have tutorials on how to select an appropriate cpu for your motherboard? i ask because i just got a cpu and then found out that it is probably not compatible. Thanks
Basically you don’t have many options. If you want to match your CPU to your motherboard, visit the motherboard’s manufacturer page about your product and see the list of CPUs that it supports (you might need to look up the chipset instead, though). However, usually motherboards aren’t very compatible with different CPUs, for example, my old laptop’s motherboard supports only rather old Pentium M CPUs that are now rare and expensive. So if you want to upgrade your CPU, you might have better luck upgrading both the CPU and your motherboard.
Double check the board your going to use and make sure the cpu is listed as compatible.
I don’t see anything on here about ESD protection. I would make sure that you wear a grounding strap when touching any of the electronic components. It sucks to dish out several hundred for a CPU only to damage it by discharging static on it.
Hello, Im looking to buy a certain motherboard in which the socket is AM2+/AM2.. does this information stay the same ?
I think it is a little problem to install the CPU when u not even has installed the motherboard ?? this is STEP 5 and motherboard is first installed in 8-9-10 ??? WAKE UP !!!!!!!!!!
he said that he does it this was because it is easier to do it now rather then later. it would help it you read what it says. =/
I highly appriciate the website because before I accessed it I had problems regarding installing pc components.It was after this that the information I found on this site assisted me so much in as far as building a computer is concerned.
Yeah… this is a lil outdated…lol I’m using an AM3 socket on my AMD Phenom II X6 (6-core) 1090T Black Edition. Could use an edit on this page to keep up to date =/