Fast PC

After we have finished mounting the processor, next comes the heatsink.

(IMPORTANT: Make sure that there is some kind of thermal pad or thermal paste between the processor and the heatsink. Some heatsinks come with a pre-applied thermal pad, some come with a tube of paste like the picture on the right that you must apply, and for some you must purchase thermal paste yourself. If there is a pad already on the heatsink, you simply remove the protective paper on it and mount the heatsink. Otherwise, go to this website to get tips on how to apply the paste yourself).

Depending on what type of processor you have, connecting the heatsink/cooling fan may slightly differ. Here I am depicting the more challenging type you may face; most new coolers, however, will not require a screw driver and will simply clip on by using your hands.

When aligning the CPU cooling fan over the processor, notice the edge of the CPU socket, right near the arm you just lowered to insert the processor.

As depicted on the left, this edge lines up with a similar area on the heatsink. Align it like so.

For an Athlon processor, clip on one side of the heatsink over the CPU then clip on the other side. The hook shaped like the one on the right should be connected last

A great deal of pressure may be required to connect the opposite the clip. I usually use a flat-head screwdriver to help push the clip to connect it. The process is depicted below.

Now, make sure to connect the fan's power supply to the appropriate place on the motherboard, which is usually labeled 'CPUFAN' (or possibly FAN1). Consult your individual motherboard manuals for its exact location.

After installing the CPU and cooling fan, you need to consult your motherboard manual and the motherboard itself to look for the jumper for the CPU. The jumper determines what frequency the CPU operates, thus determining how fast your computer will run overall. The jumper is usually labeled "JP2" and the manual will detail how to alter the settings on it, or your computer may require that the jumper setting is altered in the BIOS (you can get there by pressing the 'delete' button before your computer boots up the operating system).

I would NOT alter anything until you get your computer fully running and test the performance by using a benchmark program; I have an outline on how to go about checking it out here. Just note this area for possible future change.