Intel’s new LGA775 CPU interface is
supposed to herald a new era of per-
formance by eliminating the need for
pins in the CPU and reducing resistance.
Unfortunately, because LGA775 moves
the fragile pins to the motherboard, the
socket’s official lifespan is a meager 25
insertions. Because the new socket is so
delicate, you need to finesse it.
Before you handle a processor, makesure you’re grounded. Unlock the socket
lever on your new motherboard and flip
the load plate open. You should notice
a plastic cover on the metal load plate.
Remove this plate and keep it somewhere
safe (a). If you need to ship the board
without the processor in it, this cover will
provide protection. (Some motherboard
vendors, in fact, will only honor RMA if
you ship the board with this cover.)Pick up the CPU with your thumb and
index finger (b) and carefully align it
with the notches in the socket. Insert the
CPU straight down into the socket (c).
Be careful not to slide or drop any part
of the processor when you seat it—this
will bend the pins! Once the CPU is
seated and the notches match, put the
load plate down and lower the socket
lever. You’re good to go.Build It!
Step 6 : Socket your processor
This is the most delicate part of your installation, so take
your time. Make sure you’re grounded before you handle
the CPU (simply touch a metal portion of the case before
you pick it up), and we can get started. For old-style Athlon
and Pentium 4 processors, the procedure is the same. If
you have a new Intel LGA775 processor, check the sidebar
at the bottom of the page. First, you need to lift the little
lever beside the socket. Next, line the processor up with the
socket; one corner will be keyed, so that the proc can only
go into the socket one way. Gently lower the chip into the
socket (a). Make certain you do NOT apply any force to the
processor. This can damage it permanently! It should drop
into place. Once it does, you can lower the lever back down
until it clicks.
Now you need to add thermal paste to the CPU (b). (If
you’re using a stock Intel or AMD heatsink, use the thermal
pad that’s pro-
vided.) Apply a
thin layer of paste
to your CPU’s heat
spreader. Smooth
it down with a
business card
or other suitable
trowel. Then affix
the heatsink to the
socket. Usually,
this is as simple as
setting the heat-
sink in the socket,
lining up a couple
of clips, and
snapping them
into place.a
b
Much like your friendly Maximum PC editor, Intel’s new LGA775 CPU interface is delicate and fragile. Read this
before you install yours to avoid permanent damage.How to Install Your LGA775 Processor—the Right Way
Step 7 : Don’t forget memory
Installing RAM is very easy, but
it requires more force than most
people expect. To install memory,
first consult your motherboard’s
documentation to determine which
slots you need to put memory in to
enable dual-channel mode. Usually
they’re color coded, but this can
vary among manufacturers. Once you know which slots to use,
examine the RAM and the memory slot. Note that the sticks
only go in one way. Line up the notch in the RAM stick with the
key in the slot and then push down on the stick, applying even
force to both ends of the stick until it clicks into place. Repeat
with the second stick.Step 8 : Arm the switches
Now you need to connect your
case’s buttons and lights to your
motherboard. You’ll need to con-
sult your mobo’s manual again,
as each motherboard is different.
Connecting the headers, which run
from the case to the mobo, is as
simple as lining up the pins (a) and
applying a tiny amount of force,
until the wire slides into place (b).
All you really need to get your system up and running is the
power switch connector, but don’t be a half-ass. Once you’ve
connected the reset and power switches, it’s time for the lights. It
doesn’t matter which wire goes to which lead for the switches, but
the lights require proper polarity. Your mobo manual will tell you
which of the pins is positive; usually the wire that’s colored is the
positive lead. If you get it backwards, don’t worry.b
a
a b c
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