Next, we move onto the fun task of applying the TIM (thermal interface material) that should have come with your CPU. The stuff that you get is usually white. If you want something better you should check out Arctic Silver 5 or some of its brethren. Apply a small amount* and use the razor or credit card to spread a very thin layer evenly across the surface the CPU core (the shiny part).
*If you got an AMD like the one above the amount should be about half the size of a piece of cooked white rice. If you went Intel then you will need an amount the size of a BB. In either case it should be about the thickness of a single sheet of notebook paper when spread.
Now you want to install the heatsink and fan that came with your new CPU. Note that an Intel socket will look a bit different because it will have an Intel heatsink retention mount already in the holes shown above and the heatsink will snap in and then just use the two levers to pull it down snug. Using the AMD heatsink will be a bit different. As you may be able to see above, very top and bottom of the white socket looks a bit like a puzzle piece and the metal bracket on the AMD heatsink will simply (or not so simply) snap into one side and then the other. This may take a good deal of pressure to get the second side to snap in, just take your time and be careful. When you’re done it should look something like this.
Make sure you plug in the wire coming from the heatsink’s fan onto the correct fan header, which should be labeled “CPU FAN.” It’s important to get this done right away so you don’t forget because without that fan connected and running when you start your computer you could easily cook your CPU. We wouldn’t want that now would we?
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