Installing and troubleshooting computer cpu

After successfully installing your computer motherboard, the next thing to do is to install the processor. The processor (CPU) is the brain of the computer where all the calculations and information processing takes places, without the CPU, a computer will not function.

The Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket technology is used in most computer processors. The most common sockets types we find in our computers today are Land Grid Array (LGA) and Pin Grid Array (PGA). LGA and PGA can be understood as opposites; LGA consists of a socket with pins on which the processor is placed. On the other hand in PGA, the pins are placed on the processor, which are then inserted in a socket with appropriately placed holes. Intel uses the former while AMD uses the latter. Read more about computer processor socket types Here.

Both processor types uses the ZIF technology which requies no force to install the processors, hence the name Zero insertion force.

Example of a ZIF socket for a PGA processor

PGA type processor showing pin arrangement

Installing a processor 

To install a processor to the ZIF socket

•  Raise the release lever of the socket

•  Place the processor in the socket by holding its sides, usually a triangle shape on the side of the processor and on the socket shows the correct orientation to place the processor on the socket.

•  Once placed in the socket, bring down the lever to lock the processor in place.

Installing a processor in a ZIF socket

CPU Cooling

After properly installing the processor, you have to ensure it is properly cooled. This is achieved by applying a thermal compound (thermal paste) on the processor to enable proper heat transfer to the heat sink.

Applying thermal paste on the surface of the processor

Note: The purpose of the thermal compound is to fill any micro air gap between the CPU and heat sink contact.

Once the thermal paste is in place, install the heat sink with the fan on the processor.

There are liquid based cooling systems for computer processors, this type of cooling systems are usually used for special purpose computers like servers.

Troubleshooting Processors

Sometimes CPU tends to give errors during calculations, especially in overclocking conditions. There are test tools available to ensure that stability is achieved even under the most stressful conditions.
Some ways to check the functioning of a processor includes

•  Stress test with CPU burn-in: This can take up to 24 hours as it tests the cpu to ensure it can handle any possible stress condition

•  Using CPU Hardware Monitor: This monitors the CPU temperature, including the temperature of other components like hard drive, GPU chip (video card).

•  CPU information software: This program is useful to get the details of a processor especially in laptops where the processor cannot be easily accessed.

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