Choosing thebest new CPUis a big deal , but once you ’ve done it , you ’ll need to set up the equipment .

Installing an Intel mainframe is just as easy asinstalling an AMD one , with some minor caution that make it a little different . You ’ll demand a few pieces of equipment before we get started , but nothing that will cost you more than a few dollars .

Step 1: Prepare your tools

Before getting started with your CPU install , you want to ensure you have all the necessary tools to hand . The first is n’t rigorously necessary , but one we always recommend it . An anti - electrostatic wristband .

This forestall any motionless discharge from damage your CPU or your motherboard . We would also advocate that you perform the installment on a non - conductive open like a desk , and do n’t wear down windsock on carpet . If you do n’t have a wristband , just be sure to ground yourself before and periodically during , the installation , by touching your PC case , or the PSU frame .

You ’ll also need the CPU itself , the motherboard you want to install it to , an appropriate CPU tank ( the one that issue forth with the CPU is fine ) , some thermal paste if your central processing unit ice chest does n’t have any pre - applied , and a Phillips screwdriver if your CPU need it .

It ’s a good idea to have a lint - free cloth and some 100 % isopropyl alcohol , should you get a little overzealous with the heatpaste . Finally , ensure the work area is clear of any junk and you have clean the aerofoil of any dirt .

Step 2: Identify the CPU socket

Before you could fit the CPU , you need to identify the socket on the motherboard . If you ’re intimate with fitting a CPU , this should be obvious . If not , you should be able to find it by referring to the manual that accompanies the motherbaord .

For Intel Core i5 , i7 , and i9 processors , the socket is a slightly oblong segment of the motherboard with a narrow-minded alloy subdivision running along one of the farsighted sides . This retention branch levers a bracket into billet , which guarantee the CPU , and is secured by default . To install a new CPU , free this arm so that the bracket can be lifted .

You should see the socket move slimly at this motion . If you ’re working on a new motherboard , remove the charge card wall bracket . If there is an honest-to-god CPU in place , remove it and home to one side .

Step 3: Install the CPU

The only obvious forcible departure between Intel and AMD CPUs are the placement of the pin . AMD chips have the pins on the processor itself , while Intel has the oarlock in the socket . That means that it ’s easy to handle the processor itself without damaging it , but you want to be a small more careful during the installing .

Pick up your Intel processor and depend at its top side . In one of the corners you should see a gold trigon . This will describe up with a pliant indent of an arrow on the socket itself . Use that and the notches on either side of the processor ’s PCB to describe up the CPU right , then gently lower it into the socket . It should go snugly without force . If in doubt , remove it and sample again .

Once you ’re confident the mainframe is in place , campaign down the keeping weapon system to lock it in place . This does take a niggling military force , but it should n’t be hard . steady but blue is a unspoilt bod of mind to apply .

Step 4: Install the cooler

There are various way of life to set up the myriad of coolers out there , so for specific program line , refer to your cooler ’s installation guidebook . That said , the blanket strokes will influence for most and there are steps that the cooler installation manual may not cover .

Thermal paste is of paramount importance as no cooler airfoil is perfectly savourless . library paste serves to fill in those gaps for good contact . Some coolers come with heatpaste pre - apply . If yours has that , then skip this portion of the templet .

Otherwise , you ’ll want to use a democratic commercial paste like Thermal Grizzly ’s Kryonaut , and squeeze out a minor , pea - sized lump in the center field of your CPU . There is a slew of contention around the best way to apply thermal library paste , but thereisn’t much variance in the goal results . This method acting is a groovy space to begin .

take down : Some caloric paste is electrically conductive . While most is n’t , it ’s a expert idea to verify not to get any on the underside of the CPU or within the pins it ’s link to . If you do , expend the lint - free cloth and the isopropyl alcohol to clean it up before continuing .

set up the tank following the manual and the library paste will spread out out as pressure is increase . If you ’re tightening screw , be sure to tighten up them tardily , a turn or two at a time in a cross pattern — one turning point , then its opposite , and then the other two in the same way . This prevents the mainframe from being overload on one side , which could damage your ironware or make an mismatched thermal paste finish .

Once the cooler   is set up , connect the fan to the CPU cooler lintel on your motherboard . It will be a three or four pin head and will usually be designate CPU_FAN or like .

Step 5: Test it out

If everything in the above measure has gone to plan , your central processor should be installed . Complete the rest of your build and plug everything in .

When you ’re quick , you should   try the system of rules to verify it ’s working right . In the case of this guide , we desire to examine the CPU . The first step in that is make water certain the system posts — that is , it beeps and then shew either the system of rules logotype or a bunch of numbers on a disastrous screen . If it does that , it should boot to Windows or your preferable operating arrangement .

If you make it there , congratulations , you ’ve installed a CPU . It ’s a good idea to verify temperatures are where they should be . To do that , install something likeIntel ’s Extreme Tuning Utility(above ) orHWInfoand aspect at the jobless CPU temperature . It should n’t be too many degrees above ambient . test it during a plot or using a benchmark is a just musical theme too .

If everything search good , you might want to   considertrying to overclock your CPU .

If you function into problems with the CPU not booting , or temperature being too high-pitched , your unspoilt wager is to reseat the mainframe . duplicate the above steps in reverse to remove the processor , then reinstall it using those same methods .

Learn more about installing a CPU

you could find further information about installing a CPU in our usher onhow to build a PC , and if you require more in - astuteness help , we also have slap-up guides onhow to put in a motherboardandhow to install a graphic card .