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Remove a processor

This task has instructions for removing an assembled processor. This task requires a Torx T30 driver.

About this task

Required tools

Make sure you have the required tools listed below in hand to properly replace the component.

  • Water loop kits

    • SD650 V3 Water loop service kit

    • Conduction plate parts (only damaged parts need to be replaced)

    • M.2 Putty pad kit

  • Drive gap pad or putty pad kits according to the drives installed in the tray. See their respective replacement procedures for more information.

  • ConnectX series adapter putty pad kits according to the ConnectX adapter installed in the tray. See their respective replacement procedures for more information.

  • Screws and screwdrivers

    Prepare the following screwdrivers to ensure you can install and remove corresponding screws properly.
    Screwdriver TypeScrew Type
    Torx T10 head screwdriverTorx T10 screw
    Torx T30 head screwdriverTorx T30 screw
    Phillips #1 head screwdriverPhillips #1 screw
    Phillips #2 head screwdriverPhillips #2 screw
Attention
  • Read Installation Guidelines and Safety inspection checklist to ensure that you work safely.

  • To transfer Intel® On Demand Suite from the defective processor to the new processor, read the PPIN of the defective processor before powering off the system. For more information, see Enable Intel® On Demand.

  • Turn off the corresponding DWC tray that you are going to perform the task on.

  • Disconnect all external cables from the enclosure.

  • Use extra force to disconnect QSFP cables if they are connected to the solution.

  • Each processor socket must always contain a cover. When removing or installing a processor, protect 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 water loop 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 electrical connectors in the processor socket. Do not remove the grease cover from the cold plate until you are instructed to do so.

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

  • To avoid damaging the water loop, always use the water loop carrier when removing, installing or folding the water loop.

Figure 1. Processor locations
Processor locations

Procedure

Note
Depending on the model, your solution might look slightly different from the illustration.

  1. Make preparations for this task.
    1. Remove the tray from the enclosure. See Remove a DWC tray from the enclosure.
    2. Remove the tray cover. See Remove the tray cover.
    3. Remove the cross braces. See Remove the cross braces.
    4. Remove the DIMM comb. See Remove a DIMM comb.
    5. Remove memory modules. See Remove a memory module.
    6. Remove the M.2 backplane assembly. See Remove the M.2 backplane assembly.
    7. Remove the drive cage. See Remove a drive cage assembly.
    8. Remove the PCIe riser assembly. Depending on your configuration, see Remove a PCIe riser assembly (ConnectX-6), PCIe riser assembly replacement (ConnectX-7 NDR 200), or Remove a PCIe riser assembly (ConnectX-7 NDR 400).
  2. Remove two Torx T10 screws (per node); then, remove the VR (voltage regulator) clamp plate out of the node.
    Figure 2. VR clamp plate removal
    VR clamp plate removal
  3. Remove water loop screws (9x Torx T10 screws per node) with a torque screwdriver set to the proper torque.
    Note
    For reference, the torque required for the screws to be fully tightened/removed is 5.0+/- 0.5 lbf-in, 0.55+/- 0.05 N-M.
    Figure 3. Water loop screw removal
    Water loop screw removal
  4. Remove the following screws to loosen the quick connect.
    • Two Torx T10 screws (per node) on the quick connect.

    • Five Torx T10 screws (per node) on the rear of the node.

    Figure 4. Quick connect screw removal
    Quick connect screw removal
  5. Orient the water loop carrier with the guide pin; then, gently put the water loop carrier down and ensure it is seated firmly on the water loop.
    Figure 5. Water loop carrier installation
    Water loop carrier installation
  6. Tighten water loop carrier screws (12x Phillips #2 screws per node).
    Figure 6. Water loop carrier screws installation
    Water loop carrier screws installation
  7. Loosen processors properly.
    1. Fully loosen all Torx T30 captive screws (8x Torx T30 captive screws per node) on cold plates with a general screwdriver until they stop, following the removal sequence shown on the cold plate label.

      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.
      Attention
      To prevent damage to components, make sure that you follow the indicated loosening sequence.
    2. Rotate all anti-tilt wire bails (8x anti-tilt wire bails per node) inwards to the unlocked position.

    Figure 7. Loosening processors
    Loosening processors
  8. Carefully rotate the water loop so one half is sitting on top of the other half.
    Figure 8. Folding the water loop
    Folding the water loop
  9. Remove the processor from the retainer. This process differs by processor SKU. Check the processor SKU and follow the applicable procedure.
    Note
    Do not touch the contacts on the processor.
    For non Intel® Xeon® CPU Max processor
    1. Lift the handle to release the processor from the retainer.

    2. Carefully hold the processor by its edges; then, lift the processor from the retainer.

      Figure 9. Processor removal
      Processor removal
    For Intel® Xeon® CPU Max processor
    1. Insert a flat head screwdriver into the TIM breaking cam on the retainer; then, slightly rotate the flat head screwdriver to release the processor from the retainer.

    2. Carefully hold the processor by its edges; then, lift the processor from the retainer.

      Figure 10. Processor removal (Intel® Xeon® CPU Max processor)
      processor removal for Intel Xeon CPU Max processor
      1 TIM breaking cam
  10. Without putting the processor down, wipe the thermal grease from the top of the processor with an alcohol cleaning pad; then, place the processor on a static protective surface with the processor-contact side up.
  11. Remove the processor retainer from the underside of the cold plate.
    Note
    The processor retainer will be discarded and replaced with a new one.
    1. Carefully release the retaining clips from the cold plate.
    2. Lift the retainer from the cold plate.
    Figure 11. Processor retainer removal
    Processor retainer removal
  12. Wipe the thermal grease from the bottom of the cold plate with an alcohol cleaning pad.
After you finish
  • If you are instructed to return the component or optional device, follow all packaging instructions, and use any packaging materials for shipping that are supplied to you.

  • To transfer Intel® On Demand Suite from the defective processor to the new processor, see Enable Intel® On Demand.

Demo video

Watch the procedure on YouTube