How To Install A CPU Cooler?

Following the installation of your CPU into the motherboard socket, you will need to install the CPU cooler, which follows logically after that. Whether you’re replacing your stock cooler with an aftermarket unit or installing a stock cooler for the first time, it’s simple to get disoriented. Overheating your CPU in seconds is caused by improperly installing or failing to install the processor cooler completely. Your system will become unstable as a result of the overheating and may crash, restart, thermal throttle, or even cause the CPU and motherboard to be fried if your CPU is old and does not have a built-in mechanism to shut itself down if it senses unsafe temperatures. Fortunately, installing the cooler is a straightforward process that anybody can do. In such a case, here’s how to install a CPU cooler.

Your CPU chip produces enormous quantities of heat. When a chip is performing well and has a cooler attached, it’s not unusual for it to operate at temperatures of 85 degrees Celsius — 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Your computer’s processor might melt if you don’t have a CPU cooler fitted. While heat management is a severe issue with frequently used computers, even a standard business computer that sits in a cube and performs email and word processing all day may overheat if it doesn’t have a CPU cooler.

Anyone who has attempted to install push pins CPU coolers knows that it is a difficult and frustrating process that is not at all intuitive. There are various arrows on the push pins, and the system seems to be somewhat daunting at first glance. Because you must follow the instructions step by step, you will not make a mistake and will be able to correctly install the cooler in minutes rather than minutes and minutes. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1 – Applying Thermal Paste

Before you do anything with the cooler, make sure that you apply some thermal paste to the surface. If your cooler is spanking new, it is likely that a coating of thermal paste has already been applied to the cooler’s surface. You may verify this by turning the CPU cooler over and looking at the base of the cooler. If you notice a grayish-white substance that has a toothpaste-like appearance, you are in excellent shape to proceed. 

If this is the case, adding thermal paste is a simple process. The simplest method is to purchase a syringe filled with thermal paste and squeeze a pea-sized blob or draw a small line in the middle of the CPU. That’s pretty much all there is to it in terms of preparation. If thermal paste has already been applied to the CPU, you will need to clean it with isopropyl alcohol and a dry cloth or a paper towel before continuing.

Step 2 – Prepare The Push Pins

If you have just recently taken the cooler out of the box, the push pins should already be in the appropriate position. Do not rotate them or play with them in any way. Small arrows may be seen on the push pins, as can be seen in the picture. Turn all four push pins counterclockwise, away from the CPU cooler heatsink, so that they are all 90 degrees apart. That is the extent of their willingness to move in that way. It is possible to reset the push pins if they are not in that position; just spin the push pins in the other direction, and they will be ready for installation.

Step 3 – Line Up The Cooler

You can see that there are four holes in each corner of the CPU socket, as seen in the image above. These holes are allocated for the installation of your CPU cooler, and that is precisely where the push pins should be located. Simply align the CPU cooler so that all of the push pins are resting on top of the holes, but don’t do anything else until you’ve completed this process. Never remove your cooler from the CPU after it has been installed since you will ruin the thermal paste and will have to start over from the beginning. It is sufficient to gently move the cooler into position.

Step 4 – Push The Pins In

After double-checking that all of the push pins are in the proper locations, hold your cooler with one hand while pushing the pins in with the other. As you work, be sure to maintain it stable and to complete each corner one at a time. Always finish the opposite corner after pushing one in to ensure that it is properly installed and that the pressure is distributed equally. Once you have put in all four pins, gently twisting the cooler will allow you to determine whether or not you have installed it properly. If one of the sides becomes loose, try pulling it out and then pushing it back in.

Step 5 – Plug-In The Fan

It is now time to connect the fan header to your cooler, which has been completed. This fan has four pins, as opposed to the three-pin case fans, since the fourth pin is used to regulate the fan’s rotational speed. Despite this, 3-pin and 4-pin headers and connectors are 100% compatible with one another. All you have to do is identify the fan header on the motherboard, which should be very straightforward. The RAM slots are usually located on the upper right side of your cooler, near the CPU cooler. Make sure that the cooler connection pins are aligned with the pins on the cooler connector, and then just put it in. That is all there is to it. As soon as your computer is up and running, visually check to see that your cooler is truly rotating.

Conclusion

Installing a CPU cooler is not a complicated process. Even though the majority of individuals can do the task on their own, there is no shame in enlisting assistance, particularly when a backplate is available. Intel coolers with spring-screws are a little more difficult to install than AMD coolers with the same spring-screws. Always remember that if you do not have any pre-applied thermal paste, you should apply high-quality thermal paste instead. Also, never raise the cooler after it has been placed since doing so can introduce air bubbles into the thermal paste, which will reduce the cooling efficiency.

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