Things You'll Need:
- Screwdriver
- Replacement CPU fan
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Step 1
Open your computer case and set it on its side so that you are looking down at the motherboard.
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Step 2
Take out the old fan, or old fan and heat sink. Processors use different types of heat sinks and fans. Some heat sinks are separate from their fans, and the fans can be unscrewed or unclasped in some manner from the heat sink, so that only the fan portion must be replaced. It is also common, however, for heat sinks and fans to come as one integrated unit, so replacing the fan forces one to replace the heat sink as well. The heat sink is normally clamped in place by two or four plastic clips which can be loosened by pressing them down with firm pressure.
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Step 3
Disconnect the old fan's wire from the motherboard.
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Step 4
Apply some thermal grease to the contact point that will touch the CPU if you are installing a new heat sink.
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Step 5
Install the new fan or fan/heat sink combo. If you are installing a new heat sink with a fan attached, place the heat sink on the CPU the same way the old one was positioned, clamping one side in place first, and then the other. It sometimes takes a significant amount of force to get the clamps to hold the heat sink properly.
If you only need to replace the fan, screw or clamp it on place where the old fan used to be. When everything is in place, plug the fan's wire into the motherboard's CPU fan power plug. -
Step 6
Start up the computer with the case open to ensure the fan is running properly, then shut down and close the case.
