Skip to main content

Install a processor and heat sink

This task has instructions for installing an assembled processor and heat sink, known as a processor-heat-sink module (PHM). This task requires a Torx T30 screwdriver. This procedure must be executed by a trained technician.

Important
This task must be operated by trained technicians.

About this task

S002
disconnect all power
CAUTION
The power-control button on the device and the power switch on the power supply do not turn off the electrical current supplied to the device. The device also might have more than one power cord. To remove all electrical current from the device, ensure that all power cords are disconnected from the power source.
S011
sharp edge
CAUTION
Sharp edges, corners, or joints nearby.

To avoid potential danger, make sure to read and follow the safety information.

Attention

  • Read Installation Guidelines and Safety inspection checklist to make sure that you work safely.

  • Prevent exposure to static electricity, which might lead to system halt and loss of data, by keeping static-sensitive components in their static-protective packages until installation, and handling these devices with an electrostatic-discharge wrist strap or other grounding system.

  • Each processor socket must always contain a cover or a PHM. When removing or installing a PHM, protect the empty processor sockets with a cover.
  • Do not touch the processor socket or processor contacts. Processor-socket contacts are very fragile and easily damaged. Contaminants on the processor contacts, such as oil from your skin, can cause connection failures.
  • Do not allow the thermal grease on the processor or heat sink to come in contact with anything. Contact with any surface can compromise the thermal grease, rendering it ineffective. Thermal grease can damage components, such as the electrical connectors in the processor socket.
  • Remove and install only one PHM at a time.
Note

  • The heat sink, processor, and processor carrier for the system might be different from those shown in the illustrations.

  • PHMs are keyed for the socket where they can be installed and for their orientation in the socket.

  • See Lenovo ServerProven website for a list of processors supported for your server. All processors on the processor board must have the same speed, number of cores, and frequency.

  • Before you install a new PHM or replacement processor, update your system firmware to the latest level. See Update the firmware.

The following illustration shows the components of the PHM.
Figure 1. PHM components
PHM components
1 Heat sink2 Processor identification label
3 Heat sink triangular mark4 Torx T30 nut
5 Nut and wire bail retainer6 Anti-tilt wire bail
7 Clips to secure carrier to a heat sink8 Processor carrier code marking
9 Processor carrier10 Clips to secure processor in a carrier
11 Carrier triangular mark12 Processor ejector handle
13 Thermal grease14 Processor heat spreader
15 Processor triangular mark16 Processor contacts
Prepare the following screwdrivers to ensure you can install and remove the corresponding screws properly.
Torque screwdriver type listScrew Type
Torx T30 head screwdriverTorx T30 screw
Firmware and driver download: You might need to update the firmware or driver after replacing a component.

Procedure

  1. If you are replacing a processor and reusing the heat sink.
    1. Remove the processor identification label from the heat sink and replace it with the new label that comes with the replacement processor.
    2. If there is any old thermal grease on the heat sink, wipe the thermal grease from the bottom of the heat sink with an alcohol cleaning pad.
  2. If you are replacing a heat sink and reusing the processor.
    1. Remove the processor identification label from the old heat sink and place it on the new heat sink in the same location.
      Note
      If you are unable to remove the label and place it on the new heat sink, or if the label is damaged during transfer, write the processor serial number from the processor identification label on the new heat sink in the same location as the label would be placed using a permanent marker.
    2. Install processor in new carrier.
      Figure 2. Installation of the processor carrier
      Installing a processor carrier
      Note
      Replacement heat sinks come with different processor carriers. Make sure to use the carrier with the same carrier code markings as the one discarded.

      1. Make sure the handle on the carrier is in the closed position.

      2. Align the processor on the new carrier so that the triangular marks align; then, insert the marked end of the processor into the carrier.

      3. Hold the inserted end of the processor in place; then, pivot the unmarked end of the carrier down and away from the processor.

      4. Press the processor and secure the unmarked end under the clip on the carrier.

      5. Carefully pivot the sides of the carrier down and away from the processor.

      6. Press the processor and secure the sides under the clips on the carrier.

        Note
        To prevent the processor from falling out of the carrier, keep the processor-contact side up and hold the processor-carrier assembly by the sides of the carrier.
  3. Apply thermal grease.

    • If you are replacing the heat sink and reusing the processor, a new heat sink comes with thermal grease and you do not need to apply new thermal grease.

      Note
      To ensure the best performance, check the manufacturing date on the new heat sink and make sure it does not exceed two years. Otherwise, wipe off the existing thermal grease and apply new thermal grease.

    • If you are replacing the processor and reusing the heat sink, do the following steps to apply thermal grease:

      1. If there is any old thermal grease on the heat sink, wipe off the thermal grease with an alcohol cleaning pad.

      2. Carefully place the processor and carrier in the shipping tray with the processor-contact side down. Make sure the triangular mark on the carrier is oriented in the shipping tray as shown below.

      3. Apply the thermal grease on the top of the processor with syringe by forming four uniformly spaced dots, while each dot consists of about 0.1 ml of thermal grease.

        Figure 3. Thermal grease application with processor in shipping tray
        Thermal grease application with processor in shipping tray
  4. Assemble the processor and heat sink.
    Figure 4. Assembling the PHM with processor in shipping tray
    Assembling the PHM with processor in shipping tray
    1. Align the triangular mark on the heat sink label with the triangular mark on the processor carrier and processor.
    2. Install the heat sink onto the processor-carrier.
    3. Press the carrier into place until the clips at all four corners engage.
  5. Visually inspect to make sure that there is no gap between the processor carrier and the heat sink.
    Figure 5. Visually inspect carrier clips
    Visually inspect carrier clips
  6. Install the processor-heat-sink module to the processor board.
    Figure 6. Installation of standard PHM
    Installation of standard PHM
    Figure 7. Installation of performance PHM
    Installation of performance PHM
    Note
    For reference, the torque required for the screws to be fully tightened/removed is 10+/- 2.0 lbf-in, 1.1+/- 0.2 N-m.
    1. Rotate the anti-tilt wire bails inward.
    2. Align the triangular mark and four Torx T30 nuts on the PHM with the triangular mark and threaded posts of the processor socket; then, insert the PHM into the processor socket.
    3. Rotate the anti-tilt wire bails outward until they engage with the hooks in the socket.
    4. Fully tighten the Torx T30 nuts in the installation sequence shown on the heat-sink label. Tighten the screws until they stop; then, visually inspect to make sure that there is no gap between the screw shoulder beneath the heat sink and the processor socket.

After you finish

  1. Make sure that all the required cables are routed and connected correctly; then, reinstall the top cover (see Install the top cover).
  2. Reinstall the node into the chassis (see Install a node to the chassis).
  3. Make sure that the required power supply units are installed and power cords are connected; then, power on the node (see Install a hot-swap power supply and Power on the node).
  4. Proceed to complete the parts replacement (see Complete the parts replacement).

Demo video

Watch the procedure on YouTube