Inserting the Central Processing Unit

In this section we are going to look at how the CPU is installed. Bothe the Pentium chip and the Dual Core Chip will be looked at separately. I will then show you the correct way to do this without messing up the works. I have used pictures to illustrate how this is done without the tech talk.

The first thing you need to do before installing the Central Processing Unit , is to take a good look at the ZIF Socket and the processor itself. On the Mother Board you will locate the ZIF (zero insertion force) Socket.

Take a careful look at the ZIF and locate the notch on one corner. This is where pin "1" is located and is usually marked by a "1". Now look at the Chip, (DO NOT TOUCH THE PINS) you will see either a red dot, a gold dot and/or a little triangle or notch. This is where you will line up the ZIF notch.

Lift the lever on the ZIF and carefully line up the notch on the ZIF with the CPU and insert it into the ZIF. It should go in without any resistance. Remember, DO NOT FORCE IT IN, it should go in easily . Take your time remember to be patient.

Central Processing Unit

Return to dual core install

After the Central Processing Unit is put into the ZIF Socket, place one finger on the back and press firmly while locking the lever on the side. The Chip must go all the way in with no space between the the chip an dthe ZIF Socket.,

If this does not happen then the lever is not opened all the way.Open it and try again. Make sure that it is pressed down firmly to secure it properly into the ZIF Socket.

When the lever is locked, make sure that it snaps into place. You are finished.

The fan and the heat sink usually come already assembled. You will need to install this on top of the chip. The heat sink has some heat sink compound already on the base in line with the Central Processing Unit chip,if it has none then you will need to put a thin layer on the middle of the chip. Not to much to spread outside the chip.

Why do we use heat sink compound on the processsor?

I have been asked this question many times before. First we must ask, what is a Heat sink ? Heat sink refers to any part that is used in electronics to help remove heat from an electronic part.

In a computer, that part is the CPU and the heat sink is the part between the fan and the CPU that has little fins. The heat is transferred to the heat sink and is cooled by the fan by spreading the heat through the fins.

This causes the unit to dissipate the heat preventing the unit from overheating and damaging it.

In a computer , the CPU becomes very hot...enough to burn you. This heat must be dissipated for the CPU to function at all. If this does not happen then the computer will not come on. Most CPU's today, shut down before this happens. However, if we do this any number of times, the unit will eventually over heat and become useless.

Back to the question, Why do we use Heat sink compound on the processsor? We use compound to help transfer the heat from the CPU to the heat sink, in effect causing a faster dissipation of heat.

If you look carefully at the underside of the heat sink, you will see that the heat sink is lined up to fit one way only. Put it on in line, with the clips lining up with whats on the board.

Now it is a little tricky to lock these clips so be very careful. Insert a flat head screw driver to the top of the clip carefully raising it out so it clips into place. It is better to wrap some tape around the tip of the screw driver so it fits snuggly, otherwise it will slip and damage the board.TAKE YOUR TIME. I cannot emphasize this enough.

Once the clips are in place you are done.

Installing the Dual Core processor: A Pictural Guide

The Dual Core processor comes in a secure container seperate from the fan and heat sink (that unit mounted on the chip that dissipates the heat). Carefully remove it from it's original container and take a good look at it. It comes with it's own cover.

Remove the cover by carefully pulling it apart as shown above. DO NOT touch the underside with the pins. This can damage the CPU chip.

Lift the latch over the CPU cover and raise the metal cover.

Carefully put the chip into the socket. Check for the notch mentioned above. The CPU chip should fall into place easily. If it does'nt, DO NOT FORCE IT. Take it out and make sure the Notch, Dot (red or sliver) is lined up properly. May I repeat again. DO NOT FORCE THE CPU CHIP IN!!! It should go in very easy without trouble.

Close the metal latch and pull the lever back to lock it in place.

Make sure that the lever is securely closed. That brings us to the end of the CPU installation for the Dual Core Processor.

Conclusion

I have taken the time to show you how to nstall the CPU. Both the Dual Core processor and the Pentium 4. they both are set up a little differently but has the same bacis function . Be careful when doing this..I cannot repeat this enough.

We now move on to Installing the RAM.