How to Install an AMD
Athlon or Duron Socket A Processor
Last updated: 3/26/01
 Orient
the Fan. You may want to reposition the fan on top of the heatsink
for better routing of the fan wires to the connector on the motherboard. Many
CPU fans can be reoriented by unscrewing the four mounting screws rotating
the fan assembly to the desired orientation and screwing the fan back down. Evenly
tighten and do not over-torque the screws. The threads are easily
stripped and the fan frame can be distorted. This is better done
before the heat-sink fan is installed, but it can be done with most fans
after installing them on the CPU. Hold the heatsink so it does not
wiggle if you do it after installing the fan on the CPU. Take
care not scratch the bottom of the heatsink.
 Clean
the Heatsink and CPU Die. Clean the raised part of the bottom of the
heat-sink fan with a quality degreaser and wash and a lint-free cloth (or
lens cleaner). Rubbing alcohol, and, if you are careful not to shred
it, a good quality Kleenex will work.  A
good, lint-less way to clean the CPU die is to put on a clean disposable
vinyl glove, wet the end of your index finger with degreaser-wash or rubbing
alcohol, and gently apply it to the surface of the die. This is one time
you absolutely want to be sure you take take those anti-static precautions
so you don't zap the CPU. Look at both heat sink and CPU at an angle
with good lighting to be sure no lint or dirt is left behind. A bench
mounted, magnifying glass with a light is a good way of doing this.
Next - A Little Dab Will Do Ya >
  A
Little Dab Will Do Ya. Don one disposable vinyl glove on the
hand you most favor, carefully cut a corner off the heatsink compound package,
and dab a little (very little) on the end of your index finger. This
works much better than putting the compound on the CPU and then trying
to smear it over the surface. Its better to have too little compound on
your finger than too much. You can always add more.
Besides avoiding getting the goop on your hands, gloves
are recommended because dead skin cells, dirt, oil, etc. can diminish
the effectiveness of the heatsink compound. They also do not leave
finger prints on the surface of the die.
 Now,
very carefully and lightly, dab the compound on the surface of the CPU die
and no where else. Apply enough to fill scratches, but keep it thin. Heatsink
compound is a very good conductor of heat, but it is not as good as the metal
in the heatsink. The idea is to cover the entire surface with a thin,
even, nearly semi-transparent coat of compound with no "holidays" (missed
areas).  Just
dab up and down. I have found after making a mess of things several
times, that trying to smear it doesn't work (and the edge of an old credit
card, a disposable plastic putty knife, an Xacto knife, and a small sponge-rubber
paint applicator didn't work for me). You should be able to just barely
see the color of the die peaking through, like through a very thick, consistent
fog and the label on the die barely, if at all, visible here and there. No
bare spots.
Keep it Clean. If you mess-it-up, the gunk
can be cleaned-off the CPU. Degreaser-wash is recommended for this. If
you have to clean it off, all of it must be thoroughly, but carefully cleaned-off. None
can be left on or between the components mounted on the top of the CPU, outside
of the die. Some heatsink compounds are conductors of electricity and
others have capacitance characterizes which can damage or affect the operation
of those components. Be very careful not to dislodge the four rubber
standoffs at the corner of the CPU. They come off easily--a terrible
design--and the CPU cannot be operated without them to keep the heatsink
flat on, and in full contact with the die and to maintain an air gap between
the heatsink and the CPU components outside of the die. If you knock
one loose, you should be able to stick it right back on.
Do not apply heatsink compound to the bottom of the heatsink-fan. .
There is an air gap between the heat sink and that part of the CPU not covered
by the die and rubber stand-offs. Heat sink compound is sticky stuff. The
extra, unneeded gunk all over the bottom of the heatsink could collect dust
particles like flypaper.
Check the Standoffs. Verify that all four rubber
standoffs are still on the CPU!
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the pdf version of this article plus notes
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