Installing XP1600 onto MSI KT3 ULTRA - instructions plz

[dpk777]

I've never installed a CPU before and I dont want to mess this up.
So could someone give detailed instructions step by step as to what I'm going to have to do?

thx.

 

[mechBgon]

Sure thing. First of all, are you using a clip-on heatsink, or one that bolts through the motherboard?

 

[Killrose]

Make sure you have an approved heatsink/fan. Apply an even but very thin coating of heatsink compound, if you are not using a supplied thermal pad (but don't use both together). Make sure that you orientate the heatsink cut-out with the raised portion of the socket.

Install the fixed end of the hold down clamp first, and then the side with the lever.

Install the fan connector into the motherboard fan socket designed for the CPU fan.

 

[mechBgon]

What he said ^ Since I typed up a detailed procedure on the assumption you're using a clip-on style heatsink, here it is:

• unplug the power supply from the wall
• lay the case on its side so the motherboard is facing up
• flip up the locking lever on the CPU socket
• note the fact that the pins on the corners are absent in two of the four corners of the CPU, and the socket. Drop the CPU into the socket in that orientation, hold it down at the edges and flip the lever down to lock it in
• now take off any protective tape from the thermal pad on the bottom of the heatsink, if so equipped, or look at www.arcticsilver.com for good instructions on using thermal grease if you?re going that route
• look at the underside of the heatsink and note that it probably has a step cut into one end of the base. Make darn sure you have this step at the cambox end of the CPU socket (the cambox is where the locking lever swivels). In this photo, the step in the heatsink's base is visible on the right: photo
• look at the clip and find a flat-blade screwdriver that fits well into the receptacle on the clip. In this photo, the side of the clip with the screwdriver-tip receptacle is visible: photo
• now double-check that you?ve got the stepped end of the base over the cambox and set the heatsink on the CPU
• get the non-cambox end of the clip over the lug sticking out of the socket
• put your screwdriver into the receptacle on the cambox end of the clip
• push down with the screwdriver (a two-handed grip is recommended to keep it from hitting the motherboard if it slips) and simultaneously use the screwdriver to lever the clip outwards from the heatsink to help it get past the lug, then let it swing in to grab the lug, and release vertical pressure on the screwdriver
• plug the fan into the power supply or the motherboard right away before you forget

 

[dpk777]

thx for the great info so far...

and I plan on using the SVC GC68 or the Super Silent Pro TC.

Do I put the thermal compound on the entire green area or just the chip in the middle?

 

[mechBgon]

Additional tip for the GC-68: remove the fan first, since it will interfere with using the screwdriver on the clip. When you reinstall it, be very gentle and don't push hard on the screws with the screwdriver, since this exerts off-center pressure on the CPU core. I'd recommend a touch of oil on the fan's screws so they turn easily and don't require a lot of screwdriver pressure to turn them.

The thermal grease just goes on the little ~1cm x 1cm chip in the center, not the whole green area.

 

[dpk777]

I have also have a ram question since I'm gonna have to rid of my 256SD and get some 256DDR.

I'm lookin at the Crucial site and I'm not sure what kind I should get - 2100 or 2700?
Is there a significant difference between the two?

Also, I'm not sure whether to get UNBUFFERED/REGISTERED or ECC/NONPARITY.
I always thought registered ram worked with servers or something and not typical pc's, however, Crucial has a $25 off coupon for the 256DDR 2100 registerd ram.

If anyone has any other suggestions for getting DDR elsewhere I'm listening.

 

[mechBgon]

PC2700 is rated to run at 166MHz DDR (333MHz) and may be better for forward compatibility with next-generation boards, although next-gen stuff is going to be built for PC3200, so even PC2700 is going to be a halfway measure for those.

The KT3 Ultra can run the memory at 333MHz/PC2700 speed, but you won't see stunning performance increases compared to running it at 266MHz, so PC2100 is the better value IMHO, and that's how my own system is set up.

For the KT3 Ultra, get the unbuffered non-parity modules.

 

[SladeZero]

Hey there,

As far as the application of the thermal compound ONLY PUT IT on the chip in the
middle. Put a very THIN layer down....you might think more is better but in this case that
is NOT CORRECT. I also have the EXACT SAME BOARD AND CPU. Make sure when you put the
HS on that all the press is being exerted towards the clip. DO NOT...I REPEAT DO NOT
push down at all on the HS. This will crack the cord. The core is basically the CPU itself.
Once you have the Thermal compound down put the HS down...make sure the clip side
without the notch goes in first. Then put the clip side with the notch in second.
What I mean by notch is a little flap that you can usually put a screwdriver into to get the clip
onto the plastic socket fingers sticking out.
*********PS VERY IMPORTANT*************
When pulling the second side of the clip down....pull down and over towards the clip fingers.
This will keep the pressure OFF the cpu core and ensure the best fit.
BTW - What kind of HSF is it ??? Any what kind of thermal compound are you using ????

The ECC is just ERROR CORRECTION ram...it's used alot in servers since it supplies info for
other comps. It is not required but, it basically a checks to make sure the data that it receives and
sends has no errors or corruption in it. My ram MICRON...which IS CRUCIAL ram...was about
I think $35 more for ECC then just plain DDR 256MB PC2100.

That's about it hope it goes well

SladeZero