Help for the Helpless

[Shez]

Hey all.

So I'm getting ready to install a new CPU cooler (my old one is making a racket and I wouldn't mind dropping my temps) but I'm getting really anxious about the process, having never installed a cooler on my lonesome.

I have a DFI Infinity 865PE Mobo with a genuine Intel P4 2.0 GHz processor. Right now, I have a crappo cooler on my CPU that a buddy of mine put on for me but its failing and I'm replacing it with this heatsink.

If anyone has installed this fan or has experience putting new fans on P4s I would appreciate any tips or steps that work well for you. From the specs I know I have to get thermal paste (going with Artic Silver) but would love to know how much I should use and which technique works best: the drop and smush with the cooler, or the drop and spread with a credit card. Also, do I need to worry about taking off a cooling plate (whatever the h that is... I've been reading articles without really knowing what I'm looking at) and how much cleaning should I do?

Pretty much I just want somone to hold my hand and lemme know I'm not going to send my CPU up in flames

Thanks for your help.

 

[Mondoman]

... From the specs I know I have to get thermal paste (going with Artic Silver) but would love to know how much I should use and which technique works best: the drop and smush with the cooler,...

This technique works fine and is easiest for novices to avoid air bubbles.
Arctic Silver has a nice installation guide with photos on the net. Don't forget to clean the old compound off your CPU first; I use an index card edge to scrape off the bulk, then use anhydrous isopropyl alcohol from the supermarket/pharmacy and a paper towel to get off the last traces. If the new hsf comes with compound pre-applied, you can use that, or you can clean it off, too, and just use the Arctic Silver (the latter is what I would do).