How to Assemble a CPU Fan

Attach a CPU fan to the CPU Heat Sink.

The CPU fan is essential to the health of a PC. If the CPU fan fails, the CPU can be damaged in minutes. Attaching a fan to the heat sink that is installed and mounted on a CPU can usually be completed in about five minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Small Philips screwdriver
• Small flat-head screwdriver
• CPU fan

Instructions

1. Power down the computer. Remove any screws that secure the service panel on the computer chassis. Remove the service panel on the computer chassis, exposing the inside of computer. The motherboard and CPU should now be visible.

2. Lay the computer on its side so that the motherboard is at the bottom, facing up. Place one hand on the computer chassis (to prevent static discharge) and remove the screws from the CPU fan if there is a CPU fan mounted to the CPU heat sink. Unplug the fan from the power socket on the motherboard.

3. Place the new fan on top of the heat sink and line up the screw holes on the fan with the screw positions on the heat sink. Place a screw in each of the screw holes on the fan, being careful to ensure that the screws do not fall onto the motherboard. Tighten the screws with a screwdriver until the screws stop. Do not over tighten.

4. Plug the CPU fan power plug into the power socket on the motherboard. Power up the computer and verify that the fan is spinning properly.

5. Close the computer chassis by placing the side panel back in position. Tighten screws as required to secure the computer chassis service panel.

References

• ACME How To:PC Repair Guide: How To Install or Replace a Cooling Fan
• Jsyte:Replace a CPU's Heatsink and Fan

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish