How do I Install an Intel 775 CPU Cooler?

Intel's central processing units (CPUs) use a dedicated cooling system to keep the CPU chips in proper operating temperatures, up to 90 degrees Celsius. The CPU cooler is an assembly that comes in two parts and is installed directly on top of the CPU and CPU socket. The bottom part is a heatsink made of aluminum fins that help to dissipate the heat. On top you'll see a fan that also helps to pull heat away from the CPU. Installing a cooler on your Intel 775 can be accomplished with some basic tools.

Things You'll Need

• Flat head screwdriver
• Socket 775 compatible heatsink and fan assembly
• Antistatic wriststrap

Instructions

1. Remove the power cable from the back of the computer. Look at the back of your computer case and remove any screws from the right side if your case needs to be unscrewed before it is opened. Remove the computer case cover and set it aside.

2. Remove the small fan power connector from the motherboard pins. You'll be using these power pins later when installing the new cooler assembly so don't forget where they are.

3. Turn the small caps on each corner of the heatsink 90 degrees counterclockwise and pull up on the cap. This unfastens the CPU cooler from the motherboard. Twist the heatsink and fan assembly slightly to break any remaining thermal compound seal and set the cooling unit aside.

4. Put thermal compound on top of the CPU if none is already applied to the bottom of your heat sink. You should only need a small dot of the thermal compound to do the job.

5. Line the legs of the heatsink up with holes surrounding the CPU socket in the motherboard. Lower the cooling assembly into the holes. Press the corner caps in to secure the heatsink to the motherboard. The caps will click when they are properly installed in the motherboard holes. Plug the fan's power cable into the motherboard's power pins. Put your computer case cover on and insert the power cable.

Tips & Warnings

• It may be easier to lay your computer on its side while installing or replacing the cooling unit.

• An antistatic wrist strap prevents damage or problems caused by static electricity during the installation process by properly grounding you.

References

• PC Stats: How To Install/Remove Intel Socket 775 CPU and Heatsink
• PC Stats: Removing Socket 775 heatsinks and processors safely

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Intel