REPLACING PARTS 68
2 Remove the CPU fan cable from motherboard connector J16.
3 Remove the CPU cooling assembly.
Be aware that both the cooling assembly and the CPU may be very hot. You may need to
allow the components to cool before you attempt to remove them.
• Loosen the four screws that secure the cooling assembly to the motherboard. Partially
loosen all the screws before loosening any one screw all the way.
• Lift the cooling assembly off the CPU socket and set it aside.
4 Lift the cooling assembly off the CPU socket and set it aside.
TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE CPU
1 Unlock the CPU socket lever and raise it into the open position (flex the lever away from the
retention post, and then raise it).
2 Open the load plate.
3 Grasp the CPU by its edges, lift it out of the socket, and then place the CPU in a safe place.
NOTE: If you remove the CPU from the motherboard to install it on a new motherboard,
unpack the new motherboard and remove the protective plastic cover from the CPU socket.
Transfer the protective cover to the CPU socket of the old motherboard to protect the
circuitry.
4 Wipe the contact surface of the CPU (the smooth, gray side of the chip) with a clean, lint-
free cloth to ensure proper contact with the new heatsink.
If you remove the CPU from the motherboard to install it on a new motherboard, make sure
that you completely remove any thermal compound residue on the surface of the CPU and at
the base of the heatsink. It may help to scrape all the residue off of the surface using the flat
edge of something non-conductive.
5 Prepare the CPU socket by ensuring that:
• The socket lever is in the open position.
• The load plate is open.
Loosen each
screw to this
position.
Screw (1 of 4)