How to install a computer processor

 To install a new processor in a desktop computer, review each section and follow the steps on this page.

First, make sure you know which motherboard your computer contains. Whether you're installing a new processor to a new motherboard, or upgrading a processor for an existing motherboard, ensure you purchase a processor that's supported by your motherboard. Otherwise, the processor might not work correctly,or at all.

Write down important information from the of the processor, such as the Model Number, Serial Number, and specifications.

Ensure you are familiar with ESD and its potential dangers.

When physically installing the processor, ensure the computer is off and that the power is disconnected.

Remove previous processor

If a processor is already installed in the computer,to change it out, the old processor must be removed before a new processor can be added.

If the processor is a socket processor and has an attached heat sink, it must first be removed before the processor can be removed. Most socket heat sinks have a wire to supply power to the fan, first remove this wire. Next, you should notice clips on either side processor holding it in place. Press down on the larger end of the clip and move it away from the processor to release one end of the clip.

Intel 80486 processorOnce the heat sink is removed, if your processor uses a ZIF socket processor, locate a small arm on the side of the processor. The arm is a small metal bar and moving the bar from a horizontal to a vertical position releases the processor.

If your processor is a LIF processor, you need a processor and chip remove tool to remove the processor. If you are adding a new processor, it is likely that this tool is included with the processor. If not, it can be purchased at a local computer shop or computer retail store. Place the tool between the processor and the socket. Then, gently work the processor out of the socket, a little on each side at a time. When doing this, be careful not to bind or break any of the pins.

If your processor is a slot processor, the heat sink does not need to be removed and in most cases cannot be removed. To remove a slot processor, locate two tabs on either side of the processor. Move these slots to the outward position and the processor should be able to be removed by vertically pulling it out.

Install processor

Once the previous processor is removed from the computer, follow the steps below for installing your processor.

Socket processor

If you are installing a ZIF socket processor, begin first by moving the metal arm on one of the sides of the socket to a vertical position. Next, examine the top of the processor that should have a small dot in one of the corners. This dot indicates where pin one is on the bottom of the processor. Next, examine the socket on the motherboard. The socket should have a missing hole or should have a 1 indicating pin one. Position the processor so both pin1 and hole1 match and then place the processor down.

If properly positioned, now when moving the metal arm to the down or horizontal position, it should firmly connect the processor.

If you are installing a LIF socket processor, first examine the top of the processor and locate pin one, located with a small white dot. Once pin one is located, look at the socket and locate pin one on the socket on the motherboard. The socket pin one is located by finding a missing hole or a small "1" next to one of the four corners.

Once the pins are aligned properly, gently press the processor into the socket until it is firmly attached.

Slot processor

Finally, if you are installing a slot processor, first move the tabs on either side of the support brackets to the outward position. Next, install the processor by pressing the processor into the slot. Once installed into the brackets the two tabs should snap into place.

Apply heat compound

Thermal grease is a special compound which you can apply to the surface of the CPU before attaching the heat sink. It helps conduct heat away from the CPU and into the sink, and can lower the temperature of your CPU.

Attach heat sink

Once the processor is installed and the heat compound applied, attach the computer heat sink to the processor.

Note

Users who have a socket processor, when attaching the heat sink clip, ensure not to scratch the motherboard with the clip. Also, when attaching the heat sink bracket to the plastic clip, don't apply too much pressure to the plastic clip, as it can break.

Front panel setup of Motherboard

Computer system panel cable and connector

Once the motherboard is physically installed into the computer, the Fpanel (short for front panel connectors) must be connected. This panel controls such things as the power button, reset button, hard drive light, and power light.

Unfortunately, the setup of this panel can be confusing at first, even with the instructions provided from the motherboard manufacturer. Below are steps and additional information and help with connecting the cables to this connector.

This connector consists of several two pin connectors.

The cables that connect to the connector are 2, 3 or 4-pin connectors.

The cables usually consist of red, green, blue, white or another color cable with a black cable. The colors on your cable may be different, but the black or darkest cable is the ground, denoted as '-'.

Most cases have a separate cable for each setting, but some computers now have all of these cables as one large connector. If the computer has one large connector, it only connects in one direction. If you're installing a new computer motherboard in an OEM case that uses a large connector, it may not work with your motherboard since it could be proprietary.

Finally, the computer cannot boot if one or more of the cables is not connected correctly. If you cannot turn on the computer or receive no post, check these cables first.

Connect cables

Once the front panel cables are connected, connect the other cables in the below order.

Connect the main motherboard ATX style power cable coming from the power supply to the motherboard.

Note

Connect the cables in the right direction and never force the cable. If improperly connected, it can damage the motherboard. Today, ATX and other motherboard form factors have a keyed power supply connector that allows the cable to connect in only one direction.

Next, connect the IDE/EIDE, SATA, or SCSI cables to the motherboard from the hard drive, CD Drive, floppy drive.

Connect the Molex power cables from the power supply to each of the drives in the computer.

CMOS setup

Once the motherboard is installed and connected to the computer, connect the keyboard, monitor, and power to the computer. Do not connect all of the cables yet in case you encounter problems and need to disconnect all the cables again.

Once the computer boots enter CMOS setup and set all of the values not automatically detected. We recommend you check or set the below values.

How to enter and exit the BIOS or CMOS setup-

CPU Settings - make sure the proper CPU speed and voltage is shown or that it is set to auto.

Memory - make sure the memory settings are right, and all memory is detected.

Drives - verify the floppy, hard drive, and CD-ROM drive are all shown.

If onboard video, modem, network, or sound is on your motherboard and you want to them disabled for an expansion card you are installing, disable these devices now.

Check other settings such as the time, date, and COM ports.

Once everything is detected and set up, save the settings, then exit the CMOS setup and reboot the computer.