How to install HSF on AMDs (w/o breaking anything)?

[karmasalad]

Okay, this is a kind of embarassing question to ask, but...

Does anybody know where I can find step-by-step instructions on the proper technique to easily install the stock HSF that comes with AMD processors?

I came across a few such pages last year when I was researching processors, but I ended up getting a PIII instead (and I don't have the links anymore).

Some of my friends who have installed AMD's tell me how difficult it is to get the clamps of the HSF in. I'm the clumsy type, and I'm worried about damaging the CPU or mobo (from what I hear, you have to use a lot of force). I'd rather not have to ask one of these friends to do it as they all live almost an hour away. I'd rather learn how myself anyway.

Thanks!

(Oh, this is for: 1.2GHz Duron, MSI K7T Turbo2.)

 

[LordMorpheus]

it is very diffucult to maneuver that clippy thing into place. i built my first computer on mondays, built aroun athxp 2100+

to clip the hsf in, i used a flathead screwdriver, a thin one, with a blade length of 1.5 cm or so. if you look at the clip, the side that doesn't have the . . thingy preventing it from sliding up, it has a notch in which my screwdriver fit perfectly. it was too perfect for it not to have been intended, IMHO, and expect for one slip(i almost died) it worked fine. no harm done, just be more careful than i was

the screw driver gives you leverage to bend it down, and then you can use the driver like a lever to push the clip out and finally around its holder thingy.


forgive me as i don't know the technical terms for any of this.

 

[kalster]

yeh i also the hate the clips that come with most not so expensive hsf, fans, specially after reading about how the thunderbird cores can crack , it makes me even more paranoid

 

[YetiIronfst]

Yep - that's exactly what that notch is there for.

First get stuff out of the way - remove memory, move cables aside, etc... as necessary. If you haven't installed the mobo in the case yet, even better.

First position the HSF over the CPU with the side with the screwdriver hold away from all the ports on the edge of the board. Very carefully holding the HSF evenly down on top of the CPU, latch the connector on the side of the motherboard with your ports. You need to keep pressure evenly applied on the CPU or you can chip a corner / edge. Most of the time that doesn't really do anything... but you don't want to risk it.

That's the easy part. Now comes the harder part:

Still holding the HSF down on the CPU, applying a fair amount of force, but not too much (yeah, I know... how vague is that?!), and keeping it level / flat to the CPU so you don't chip it, insert the screwdriver head into that hole and first lift up on the handle of the screwdriver a bit (not too much - this is one place where you can slip out and hit the mobo with the screwdriver - doesn't hurt to put something over the mobo in the area you'd hit at this time) to spread the clip on that side of the HSF out a bit. Then holding that angle (this is the other slip point - if you lose the angle as you push down) push the clip down and over the CPU socket catches.

Good luck!

 

[LordMorpheus]

heh, both times i've put my hsf on, ive slipped and hit the mobo . . . O_O

didn't do any damage, tho, thats what soyo's all about: reliability and working. even when hit by a screwdriver.


y'know, it would have been REALLY helpful if AMD had mentioned using a screwdriver in their li'l booklet. grrr. me growls at AMD. good luck, worked for me!!

 

[speed01]

My 1700+ came with detailed instructions on how to install the HSF. For the first time in my life, I actually read and followed them step by step. Worked like a charm. And no slips either..... Granted, it doesn't say to use a screwdriver, (they call it "the appropriate tool") but one look at the clip tells you what "the appropriate tool" is....

 

[sandorski]

Despite YetiIronFist's statement, never ever apply pressure onto the heatsink . Apply pressure only to the clips themselves.

 

[DeRusto]

It was a bit difficult for me the first time i did it, but after that I learned a much easier technique..

you simply have to maniplulate the clip with a flathead screwdriver..

I would think that the instructions that come with the cpu should be sufficent to help you

 

[YetiIronfst]

Hehe. Sandorski - OK... true Technically perhaps, but it's a very fine line. You want to hold the heatsink down firmly enough that it doesn't get at all tilted or uneven and chip a corner of the CPU as you apply quite a bit of force all on one side while getting the clip on. But you definitely don't want to lean your weight on it or anything like that that is going to bow the heck out of the motherboard and potentially damage it.

 

[LordMorpheus]

heh, one of my dad's friends from work was installing an AMD hsf, slipped, and impaled his mobo on his screwdriver. ooops. glad i didn't do that.

yeah, is not hard, just you feel bad about using that much force on it.

I didn't hold the hsf down, but i held it in place. welp, if you get the right clips its not gonne be crooked at all ... . .

hee! glad i finally found a way to monitor temps, i getting like 40C idle, so maybe 50-60 full load, not bad at all.

 

[Insane3D]

First, if you don't already have it, download the Adobe Acrobat Reader here. Next, download the very detailed HSF installation instructions right from AMD here.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: YetiIronfst
Hehe. Sandorski - OK... true Technically perhaps, but it's a very fine line. You want to hold the heatsink down firmly enough that it doesn't get at all tilted or uneven and chip a corner of the CPU as you apply quite a bit of force all on one side while getting the clip on. But you definitely don't want to lean your weight on it or anything like that that is going to bow the heck out of the motherboard and potentially damage it.

Ok.