AMD processors are one of the most popular choices among people with all kinds of budgets, although they are a bit different from Intel. For starters, the pins are directly on the chip, not in the socket. In addition, you will almost always need a different bracket to install the cooler. But even with those details involved, there is no reason why you cannot learn how to install an AMD processor quickly.
Step 1: Prepare your pieces
You won’t want to stop in the middle of the installation process to go find something you need to complete, so make sure you have everything at hand before you start. You will need the AMD processor, a motherboard to which to connect it, and a cooler. If the cooler comes with pre-applied thermal paste, such as AMD Ryzen, you don’t need anything else. If not, you will need your own thermal paste.
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It is also a good idea to have a lint-free cloth and some pure isopropyl alcohol on hand, just in case you go over the pasta enthusiast. We also recommend an antistatic bag to put the electronic components and make sure you have good lighting to see what you do.
Depending on the cooler you have, you might also need a screwdriver. Normally, a cross that is relatively long will work but examine your cooler to make sure.
We would also like to recommend that you wear an antistatic wrist strap to make sure you don’t transfer a static charge to your components. At a minimum, be sure to install your AMD processor on a non-conductive surface and ground yourself before you start touching something metallic like your PC cover or the chassis of your power source.
Step 2: Install the processor
Note: Unlike Intel processors, AMDs have pins on the chip. If you bend or break any, you will not be able to use your processor, so be careful not to.
Locate the processor socket on your motherboard and put the retention arm upright. If you work on a new motherboard, remove the protective plastic from the socket. If you are replacing a processor, you will have to remove the previous one and possibly also its cooler. For that, check your chiller instructions. When you remove the previous processor, handle it carefully if you plan to use it again.
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If you have not removed the processor from the package, do it now. Look at the bottom. In one of the corners, you will see a small golden triangle. This corresponds to a triangle marked on the socket for the processor on your motherboard and will help you to orient the chip correctly. Place it in the socket carefully, making sure that all pins fit into their corresponding ports. It should not be necessary for you to apply the force, so if it does not fit very well, remove it and start again.
Once the processor is in place, and you are sure that you installed it correctly, press the retaining arm back into place in the socket.
This will require a bit of strength, but it shouldn’t be too much. Listen to your instinct and, if you doubt, check again that everything is well placed before pressing more.
Step 3: Install the cooler.
No AMD processor will work longer without a cooler. Most will include one in the same package, or you can purchase the piece separately, either air or liquid. Either way, the installation will be different for each type of cooler, so check your manual to see what you should do. It is very likely that you need access to the back of your motherboard; For that, make sure to remove the back panel of the chassis from your PC.
Regardless of the cooler you install, you will need something to transfer heat from the processor to the cooler effectively. This is where the thermal paste or thermal pads come in. Several coolers will come from the factory with pre-applied paste; If that is your case, you can simply follow the chiller installation instructions. However, if it does not come with pre-applied paste, you will have to do it.
There are several ways in which you can apply the thermal paste, from spreading it across the surface to cross techniques, and there are arguments in favor of using more or less. However, the simplest and simplest thing you can do is apply a pea-sized amount right in the center of the chip. If you apply too much, remove the chip and use the lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol to clean it carefully. Then the process begins again.
There are thermal pastes that are conductive to electricity. Although most are not, it is a good idea to be careful not to leave residues under the chip or in any socket port. Be very careful and precise when placing it.
If you use a thermal pad, simply place it on the processor, making sure it is the correct size and fits well.
When your heat transfer material is in place, it is time to install the cooler. Follow the instructions in your manual, with a warning: when placing the screws, be sure to do it slowly (manually, if possible) and use a cross pattern – screwing opposite corners alternately, taking care that no screws are one or two turns Tighter than the others in no time.
Then, connect the fan header to its respective slot on the motherboard. It will be a three or four-pin header, usually with a space on the motherboard marked “processor fan” or something like that. If in doubt, consult your motherboard manual.
Step 4: Try it
If all the previous steps went well, your processor must have been properly installed. Start the system and see if it works correctly. If so, congratulations: most likely, everything is fine. However, before doing anything else, we would recommend using an application to measure the temperature, such as the AMD Ryzen Master or HWInfo, so that there is no doubt that your processor is not hotter than it should. If it is, it could be that your cooler is not installed correctly or that the screws are not properly adjusted.
If your system does not boot, consult your motherboard manual to be able to decipher any beep or diagnostic light. Then try reinstalling the processor and the cooler.