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Install a processor and heat sink

This task has instructions for installing a processor and heat sink. This task requires a Torx T20 driver. This procedure must be executed by a trained technician.

Important
This task must be operated by trained technicians.

About this task

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.

Note

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

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

Firmware and driver download: You might need to update the firmware or driver after replacing a component.

The following illustration shows the components of the processor and heat sink.
Figure 1. Processor and heat sink components
Processor and heat sink components

1 Captive screws7 Processor contacts
2 Heat sink8 Processor triangular mark
3 Processor identification label9 Carrier triangular mark
4 Heat sink triangular mark10 Processor carrier
5 Screw bolts11 Processor heat spreader
6 Retention frame triangular mark12 Thermal grease

Procedure

  1. Install the processor.
    1. Slide the processor carrier into the rail frame.
    2. Push the rail frame down until the blue latches lock into place.
    3. Close the retention frame.
    4. Use a Torx T20 screwdriver to tighten the screw.
    Figure 2. Installing a processor
    Installing a processor
  2. Do the following according to your need.
    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. Wipe off old thermal grease on the heat sink with an alcohol cleaning pad.

    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. Wipe off old thermal grease on the processor with an alcohol cleaning pad.

    3. Check whether the manufacturing date on the new heat sink exceeds two years.

      • If yes, wipe off the thermal grease on the new heat sink with an alcohol cleaning pad, and go to 3.

      • If no, go to 4.

  3. Apply new thermal grease on the top of the processor with a syringe by forming four uniformly spaced dots, while each dot consists of about 0.1 ml of thermal grease.
    Figure 3. Applying thermal grease
    Applying thermal grease
  4. Install the heat sink.
    Note
    For reference, the torque required for the fasteners to fully tighten is 1.22-1.46 newton-meters (10.8-13.0 inch-pounds).
    Figure 4. Installing a heat sink
    Installing a heat sink
    1. Align the triangular mark and screws on the heat sink with the triangular mark and threaded posts on the processor socket; then install the heat sink on the processor socket.
    2. Fully tighten all the screws in the installation sequence shown on the heat-sink label.

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