Pretty Newb Question (replacing a processor)

[episodic]

Hi.

I built my computer several months ago (my first build) has been working fine.

I am fixing to get a new processor to go into my system. I am upgrading from a socket A Duron 1600 to an Athlon 2200 (I got it cheap).

Before I proceed I have to ask this:

When I installed my system mainboard, I did so outside of the case. Meaning, before I mounted the motherboard, I attached the processor, ram, and the processor's cooling fan.

Is it really necessary for me to remove everything to put a new processor in?

I will remove the ram, because it is nearbye. My case is a full size atx, so there is alot of room. I also got a speeze heatsink with the screwdriver clips (the thing where the screwdriver won't slip so easily). So will the force necessary to remove the heatsink damage the motherboard if left mounted?

I hate to take it all out because I don't know what all the little LED cables go, and it was a mirical that I got it right the first build


Thanks for advice!

 

[LAVAB84615]

no all you need to take off is the hs

 

[mechBgon]

You might want to use the credit-card trick and/or the socket-driver trick shown on this page just in case you did slip.

 

[esun]

It's a very simple process. Just remove the old heatsink, take out the old processor, apply thermal paste to the new processor (and clean up the heatsink) and then put the heatsink back on. Then you just have to change some BIOS settings and you're done. There's always a chance of damaging a motherboard when removing heatsinks mounted with those tabs around the socket, but just be careful and take your time and it should be fine.

 

[episodic]

Thanks!