Installing a heat sink
Once you've
Installed a CPU, it's now time to attach a heat sink/fan to pull heat away from the processor.
Remember, read all the documentation that came with your motherboard, CPU and heat sink before going ahead!
1. There are a few different ways a heat sink might be attached. For this reason, be sure to review the documentation that came with your heat sink and follow those directions closely.
- Once you’ve installed a new CPU, you’ll apply a thermal pad or a few grain size drops of thermal paste (heat sink compound) to the exposed portion of the processor. This is where the heat sink will make contact. When using the paste be sure to spread it in a thin, even layer across the entire portion of the CPU that will contact the heat sink. You can use your finger to spread the past evenly but be sure to use a clean plastic bag or plastic glove. Doing so will prevent the paste from becoming contaminated.
Be careful not to get the heat sink compound on any of the motherboard electronics! If some compound oozes out from the sides, you’ve applied too much! You’ll have to remove the heat sink, clean it, the CPU and over. Also, do not apply both a heat pad and heat sink compound. Choose one or the other. 
- Generally, the newer heat sinks use a set of clips on either side to fasten themselves down on tabs on each side of the socket. Align the heat sink above the CPU so that the clamps are in line with the mounting points around the processor. The clips will then attach to tabs on either side of the socket.
- Other heat sinks may require you to screw the hardware down to the board itself. Be careful not to apply too much pressure against the motherboard and do not do any twisting any as you install the heat sink.
- Pentium IV motherboards utilize a heat sink retention bracket around the CPU socket. When installing a Pentium IV heat sink you’ll fasten all four clips into the brackets, and then close the clip levers over the heat sink.
In short… be sure to review the documentation provided for the heat sink to ensure proper installation.
2. Usually, it’s a CPU fan header that extends from the motherboard that will power your heat sink/fan. Find the power lead from the cooling fan and plug it into the fan header on the motherboard. If installed correctly, your motherboard BIOS will then detect … or have to be told… what type and speed of processor was just installed on the board. As always, you’ll probably have to refer to the documentation that came with your computer/motherboard in order to configure the BIOS correctly for CPU model.
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