How to Install an AMD
Athlon or Duron Socket A Processor
Last updated: 3/28/01
 Plug-in
the Fan. Plug the fan wire into the appropriate jack on the motherboard, neatly
coil-up the excess CPU fan wire, and zip-tie (cable tie) it to keep the
wire out of the CPU fan, etc. It is easier to do this now while
the motherboard is out of the case.
Install the Memory and Motherboard. I'll go
into this later in a Build Your Own Socket A Computer article. Our Build
Your Own Athlon Computer (Slot 1 CPU) article also includes
these procedures. The computer should be configured to a minimum bootable
configuration: Motherboard, CPU, heatsink-fan, memory, video card,
power to the motherboard (keep the power cord disconnected), Power-on switch,
Speaker connected, monitor, keyboard, and nothing else--no drives. While
watching the CPU fan, hold your breath, connect the power cord, and push
the Power-on button. If the CPU fan does not start spinning, pull the
power cord out of the computer. If it spins OK and the computer boots
so you see something on the screen, go into the CMOS setup, quickly adjust
the CPU settings if it can be done in the CMOS setup, and then go to the
System Monitoring part of the setup a start watching the CPU temperature. Let
is site there quite a while until temperatures stabilize. This is what
I got for readings on two computers after installing drives and additional
expansion boards:
1.1 GHz Athlon Processor. Antec
KS282 case with 300W power supply and one chassis fan mounted
on the back below the power supply.
One side open: Ambient 20° C/68° F, Case
26° C/78° F, CPU 44°/111°
Case closed: Ambient 20° C/68° F, Case 25° C/74° F,
CPU 46°/114°
1.0 GHz Athlon Processor,
similar configuration, computer operational for about three months:
Case Closed: Ambient 22° C/72° F, Case
31° C/ 88° F, CPU 46° /114°
According to the Athlon Socket A specifications, the maximum
die temperature is rated at 90° C for the 1 GHz CPU and 95° C for the 1.1
GHz part. These specifications are the same for processors with 200
and 266 MHz front side buses. Of course I would never run a processor
anywhere near that hot. As you can see, there was no noticeable thermal
grease degradation in the second computer after three months of heavy use
(by my Accountant).
We aren't over yet. I strongly advise you to review
AMD's Socket
A AMD Processor and Heatsink Installation Guide, available in .pdf format,
especially if you are using a different kind of heat sink requiring tools
to install and if it uses a thermal compound other than thermal grease.
Larry
 Purchase
the pdf version of this article plus notes
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