How to Install the EpoX 8KHA+ Motherboard
Last updated: 12/6/2001

Install the Processor.  Instructions for installing the CPU and heatsink-fan are presented in more detail in our article on How to Install an AMD Socket A Athlon or Duron Processor.  If you have never done it before, that article and AMD's Socket A AMD Processor and Heatsink Installation Guide should be reviewed before proceeding.  Many AMD Socket A Athlon and Duron processors are damaged during installation.  Reading those articles could save your CPU.

3.  Inspect the heat sensor to be sure it hasn't been pushed into the socket.  If needed, bend it gently upward so it is vertical.  The thermisters I've seen on three of these motherboards do not quite touch the bottom of the socket.

4.  Inspect the CPU for bent pins

5.  Unlatch and raise the socket lever all the up, orient the corner of the CPU with the arrow, as shown to the right, and carefully and gently insert it into the socket.  Never force a CPU into its socket.

The picture shows an AMD Athlon XP 1600+ (1.4 GHz) processor.

6.  Inspect the sides of the socket to be sure the CPU is fully seated, and latch the leaver.

7.  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.  I didn't as it was needed for this fan which towers above 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. Take care not to scratch the bottom of the heatsink.

8.  Unbox the heat-sink fan and slowly and carefully remove the covering protecting the thermo pad.  If you are careful, you can get most of it off without leaving any residue.  I would remove any residue left behind on the metal part of the heat sink 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.  Be careful not to get any of it on the thermo pad.

9.  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.  A kleenex or paper towel will do the job.  This is one time you absolutely want to be sure you take take those anti-static precautions.

10.  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.

11.  Verify that all four rubber standoffs are still on the CPU!  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.

12.  Note the step on the bottom of the heat-sink fan.  Position the heatsink so it can step over the raised part of the socket.  Be careful not to apply force on the spring clips unless the heat sink is squarely on the CPU.  That can break the die (the little square, shiny thing in the middle of the processor, the actual CPU) loose from the rest of the processor.  Hook the end of the spring clip at the opposite side from the step over the lug on the socket.  If you take your time you can do it without any noticeable force on the CPU.

13.  This is the tricky part and does apply force on the rubber standoffs and on the die...  Suggest reading all this step before before attempting it.  The other end of the spring is attached with a screw driver.  Make sure the screw drive is properly inserted in the spring as shown, hold the  heatsink-fan firmly so that it is squarely on the CPU, properly positioned, and does not ride up on the step on the socket.  It will take some noticeable force to get the clip on the lug.  Be very careful not to let the screw driver slip off the spring and damage the motherboard.   Hold on, catch the lug, push down, out a little, and in.

14.  Look along the sides and make sure the heatsink-fan is positioned properly and not riding up on the step.  Yes, you can unlatch it and adjust it if need be.

15.  Plug the fan wire into the jack marked CPU FAN on the motherboard,  neatly coil-up the excess CPU fan wire, and zip-tie it to keep the wire out of the CPU fans, and trim the access with diagonal cutters.

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