Installing the Processor
The processor is often both the most delicate and the most expensive part of a homebuilt computer. As such, it deserves and requires special care.
Anti Static Precautions
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Processors are extremely sensitive to static charges and physical shock. Never handle a processor roughly, never touch the pins, and never handle it unless you are using proper anti-static precautions.
Handle the processor gingerly, holding it only by the edges. Set it down only on an anti-static mat or on the foam pad that it was shipped in. Be kind to your processor.
Inserting the Processor Correctly
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Processor sockets are keyed to prevent improper installation. Notice in the picture on the right that both the processor and the socket have two corners without pins. This is to prevent the processor from being installed the wrong way. Modern processor sockets are of ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) design. If the processor is aligned properly with the socket, gravity alone should cause it to drop right in. You should never need to use force to insert a processor.
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To install the processor, lift the bail at the side of the socket, line up the pins with the holes, and let the processor drop into the socket by its own weight. Look closely at the processor to make sure it is seated flush against the socket. Then gently close the bail to secure the processor. If you encounter resistance at any point, stop and make sure that the processor is lined up correctly.
Some processors have no pins. Instead, they have little bumps that make contact with the CPU socket. This design makes it nearly impossible to break the chip while installing it, but it does sometimes cause problems if dust, hair, or other debris finds its way to the socket. Canned air solves the problem.
Finished? Great! Now take a breather and prepare for the next step: Installing the CPU Cooler.
