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Install a processor

This task has instructions for installing a processor. This task requires Torx 10 driver, T20 driver, Philips #1 driver, and Philips #2 driver.

About this task

Attention
  • Read Installation Guidelines and Safety inspection checklist to ensure that you work safely.

  • 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.

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

  • Optional devices available for your system might have specific processor requirements. See the documentation that comes with the optional device for information.

  • Ensure you have SD665 V3 Neptune DWC Water Loop Service Kit in hand to perform this task.

Prepare the following screwdrivers to ensure you can install and remove corresponding screws properly.
Screwdriver TypeScrew Type
Torx T10 head screwdriverTorx T10 screw
Torx T20 head screwdriverTorx T20 screw
Phillips #1 head screwdriverPhillips #1 screw
Phillips #2 head screwdriverPhillips #2 screw
Figure 1. Processor locations
Processor locations
Important
Gap pad/putty pad replacement guidelines
  • To identify the gap pad/putty pad location and orientation, see Gap pad/Putty pad identification and location.

  • Before replacing the gap pad/putty pad, gently clean the interface plate or the hardware surface with an alcohol cleaning pad.

  • Hold the gap pad/putty pad carefully to avoid deformation. Make sure no screw hole or opening is blocked by the gap pad/putty pad material.

  • The putty pad is unfit for use if the expiry date on its packaging has passed. In this circumstance, acquire a new putty pad for proper putty pad replacement procedure.

Firmware and driver download: You might need to update the firmware or driver after replacing a component.
Watch the procedure
  • A video of this procedure is available at YouTube.

Procedure

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

  1. Follow the following steps if you are replacing processors:
    1. If there is any old thermal grease on the bottom of the cold plate on water loop, gently clean the thermal grease using an alcohol cleaning pad.
    2. Remove the processor identification label from the water loop and replace it with the new label that comes with the replacement processor. If you are unable to remove the label and place it on the new water loop, or if the label is damaged during transfer, write the processor serial number from the processor identification label on the new water loop in the same location as the label would be placed using a permanent marker.
  2. 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. Then, close the retention frame.
    3. Use a Torx T20 screwdriver to tighten the screw.
    Figure 2. Processor installation
    Processor installation
  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
    Note
    Carefully place the processor and retainer on a flat surface with the processor-contact side down.
    Figure 3. Thermal grease application
    Applying thermal grease
  4. If needed, remove plastic grease covers from the underside of processor cold plates.
    Figure 4. Plastic grease covers removal
    Plastic grease covers removal
  5. Check the gap pads on the bottom side and top side of the water loop, if any of them are damaged or missing, replace them with the new ones.
    Figure 5. Water loop gap pads (bottom side)
    Water loop gap pads (bottom side)
    Figure 6. Water loop gap pads (top side)
    Water loop gap pads (top side)

Make sure to follow Gap pad/putty pad replacement guidelines.

  1. Replace the putty pads on the water loop with new ones.
    Figure 7. Water loop putty pads
    Water loop putty pads

Make sure to follow Gap pad/putty pad replacement guidelines.

  1. Carefully rotate the top side of the water loop, position the water loop on the two guide pins near the rear of the node; then, gently put the water loop down and ensure it is firmly seated on the system board.
    Figure 8. Water loop installation
    Water loop installation
  2. Install processor cold plate screws (12x Torx T20 screws per node). Follow the screw sequence specified on the processor cold plate label and tighten the screws with a torque screwdriver set to the proper torque. Fully tighten each screw; then, proceed to the next screw.
    Note
    For reference, the torque required for the screws to be fully tightened/removed is 1.12-1.46 newton-meters, 10-13 inch-pounds
    Figure 9. Processor cold plate label

    Fully tighten each screw in this order: 1 > 2 > 3 > 4 > 5 > 6


    Processor cold plate label
    Figure 10. Processor cold plate installation
    Processor cold plate installation
  3. Loosen water loop carrier screws (12x Phillips #2 screws per node).
    Note
    The screw holes on the rear of the carrier are marked with L and R. Select screw holes marked as L when the carrier is on the left node, and R for the right node.
    Figure 11. Loosening water loop carrier screws
    Loosening water loop carrier screws
  4. Carefully lift the water loop carrier up and away from the water loop.
    Figure 12. Water loop carrier removal
    Water loop carrier removal
  5. Install water loop screws and quick connect screws (14x 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 0.5-0.6 newton-meters, 4.5-5.5 inch-pounds.
    Figure 13. Water loop screws and quick connect screws installation
    Water loop screws and quick connect screws installation
  6. Install the five Torx T10 screws to secure the quick connect.
    Figure 14. Quick connect screw installation
    Quick connect screw installation
After you finish
  1. Install the memory modules. See Install a memory module.

  2. Install the DIMM comb. See Install a DIMM comb.

  3. Install the M.2 backplane assembly. See Install the M.2 backplane assembly.

  4. Install the drive cage. See Install a drive cage assembly.

  5. Install the PCIe riser assembly. See Install a PCIe riser assembly (ConnectX-6) , Install a PCIe riser assembly (ConnectX-7 NDR 200), or Install a PCIe riser assembly (ConnectX-7 NDR 400).

  6. Install the cross braces. See Install the cross braces.

  7. Install the tray cover. See Install the tray cover.

  8. Install the tray into the enclosure. See Install a DWC tray in the enclosure.

  9. Connect all required external cables to the solution.
    Note
    Use extra force to connect QSFP cables to the solution.
  10. Check the power LED on each node to make sure it changes from fast blink to slow blink to indicate all nodes are ready to be powered on.