An HP desktop computer uses a CPU cooling fan and heat sink assembly to keep the processing unit's temperature at an acceptable level, within the component's standard operating temperature. If a CPU cooler is not installed, the computer would be unable to regulate the temperature of the central processing unit. Crashes or complete hardware failure could occur due to overheating.
Instructions
1. Shut off the HP desktop computer. Turn the computer tower around and loosen the thumbscrew on the side panel. Pull the side panel off the computer. Start from the top and tilt the rest out.
2. Disconnect the power cable connecting the heat sink fan and the motherboard. Press the latch to which the heat sink clip is attached. Unhook the clip from the latch. Tilt the heat sink slightly until you can slip the other clip free. Remove the heat sink from the computer.
3. Remove the plastic over the thermal paste on the bottom of the new heat sink. The AMD CPU socket on the latest HP desktop computers uses a AM2+ socket. The stock heat sink uses clips on each side of the CPU socket to secure it to the motherboard.
4. Lower the heat sink and fan into place on top of the HP's CPU. Tilt the assembly to one side as you lower it, until the clip on the side of the heat sink catches the latch on the CPU socket. Lower the other side of the cooling assembly and press the clip in until it latches.
5. Turn the lever on the side of the heat sink 180 degrees. This locking lever keeps the heat sink in place on the motherboard. Connect the fan's power cable to the small power pins on the motherboard, next to the CPU socket. Slide the HP's side panel into place and tighten the thumbscrew. Connect the cables.
Tags: heat sink, side panel, desktop computer, into place, power cable, processing unit, side heat