Intel 925X and Socket 775 Platform: PCIe and DDR2

Processor Installation, Heatsink and Power Supply

I made a bit of an image flip book here for you to see exactly how the new processors are installed.  I actually took them in reverse, see if you can spot how I know this.  🙂

You first need to line up the processor’s two notches with the slots for them on the socket.  It will not install any other way.  In this shot, you need to turn the processor 90 degrees counter-clockwise to get it right.

You should not attempt to slide the processor into the socket, instead you should place it exactly straight down on the pins.

Correctly installed, the processor will be even and flat.

You should then shut the processor retention plate on top of the processor.  It will hold the CPU down without coming in contact with the top of the head spreader.

Pull the retention arm up and move it towards the processor.  You will need to supply a bit a pressure here, as you are forcing the retention plate down and putting the force on the LGA775 processor to properly, and securely, connect the pins to the contacts on the CPU.

Once you lock the arm in place, installation is complete.  Put some thermal grease on it and then head to your new heatsink assembly.

The Intel heatsink supplied to us is not the safest HSF we have used (no fan guard), but the installation and removal was ten times easier than that of the Socket 478 design.  There are four pins at corners on the heatsink assembly that are placed over the four holes surrounding the processor socket.  All that is required is that you simply push the pins down so they lock into place.  No order required. 

To remove, you use a flat end screwdriver to twist the four pins a quarter turn, then pull up on each to remove the tension from the other side of the board.  Then you can simply pull the heatsink off the processor. 

Finally, with the new platform there is slight, but not yet necessary, power supply upgrade.  The upgrade comes in the form of new connectors on the PSU.

The ATX power connector on the PSU is a 24-pin connector, instead of the standard 20-pin.  An older 20-pin will still work, however, if it can provide adequate power.  The 4-pin ATX power adaptor is still required.

This power supply also included the new connectors for SATA hard drives and the 6-pin power connector for PCI Express graphics cards.  Most graphics cards will supply an adaptor from this 6-pin connection converted to dual-Molex power connectors.