How nervous should I inserting my amd cpu into the motherboard?

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hi, I am a bit of a noob when it comes to pc building and I will be doing my first build ever tomorrow and the number one thing I am nervous about is putting my amd cpu in the socket. I have heard horror stories of people bending the cpu pins on amd processors very easily and I am kinda worried that I might bend them. I am probably over reacting but I really don't want to ruin it as this is my first time. Can anyone tell me if they bent easily and if their is anything I should be worried about?

 

[Gam3r01]

I had no issue, the largest problem is overthinking it.

Make sure the small arrow in the corner is lined up right, so its not rotated wrong.
Then drop the cpu into the socket (from a very short height)
This will ensure it falls in flat, and all the pins line up. If it dosent look level, nudge it. As long as you dont force it, you wont harm anything.

 

[RazerZ]

Great advice.

 

[photonboy]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-heat-sink-heat-spreader,3600.html

Complete walk-through. Just skip to the thermal paste application part or use my advice below:

1) Observe the proper orientation of CPU to mount

2) Drop processor from a few mm's then jiggle slightly to ensure it's seated

3) Lock the CPU in place (read CPU manual if needed)

4) Use a pea-sized amount of paste (about 4 to 5mm in diameter)

5) Don't spread, just place the CPU cooler on top (there are different methods. I use this one)

6) Screw in the CPU cooler. Do each screw a little at a time. Start with any screw, then choose the one at a diagonal to it then the remainder then repeat.

To test:
1) stick with DEFAULT BIOS settings even if going to overclock later
2) choose optimal DDR3 memory settings (AMP? forget name in BIOS)
3) run MEMTEST www.memtest.org
4) in Windows run Prime95 and/or other CPU programs.
5) setup FAN CONTROL using the motherboard software. Make sure it's varying the speed by running at max then forcing to 50% (will want it to "ramp up" as needed)
6) run "coretemp" and/or other programs to observe the temperature under load (use the highest core temp)
http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

*You want the highest temp of any core to be lower than the Tjmax of the CPU.

Other:
1) Note that Prime95 stresses the CPU more than a program ever would so if you stay below the max temperature here you'll have no issues.

2) update the BIOS if newer exists.

3) always run MEMTEST again if you change the CPU or memory settings. This includes updating the BIOS.

4) If overclocking, run MEMTEST, then Prime95 with Core Temp.

 

[madmatt30]

No mention of unlocking the CPU lock clip first anywhere.
I've known people to try & cram the chip in with the bar locked - its the main cause of bent pins IMO.
OP - be sure to unclip & raise the little lock bar first.
As stated above line up the corner arrow & the chip should drop into place with no effort or pressure from yourself
Then lock the bar back down.

 

[Mr_Venbeer]

Don't Push the CPU In!!!
My friend made this mistake and broke his intel sabertooth motherboard XD

 

[davcsw]

Follow instructions, read guidelines available here and you should be fine. It's easier than getting laid the first time.