Install the processor heat sink

Follow instructions in this section to install the processor heat sink. This procedure must be executed by a trained technician.

About this task

S002

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.

S012

CAUTION

Hot surface nearby.

Required tools

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

• Prepare the following thermal pad kits:
  • Top cover thermal pad kit
  • Bottom cover thermal pad kit
  See Thermal pad installation guidelines for details of thermal pad replacement.

Attention

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

• Power off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords and all external cables. See Power off the server.

• 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.

• 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.

Procedure

1. Make preparation for this task.
   1. If there is any old thermal grease on the processor, gently clean the top of the processor using an alcohol cleaning pad. Dispose of the cleaning pad after all of the thermal grease is removed.
      Note

      If you are applying new thermal grease on the top of the processor, make sure to do it after the alcohol has fully evaporated.
   2. To ensure the best performance, check the manufacturing date on the new heat sink and make sure it does not exceed 2 years. Otherwise, wipe off the existing thermal grease on the heat sink; then, apply the new 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 for optimal thermal performance.
      Figure 1. Proper shape of the thermal grease
      
      
   3. Check the thermal pads on node covers. If a thermal pad is in any of the following conditions, replace the thermal pad with a new one. Make sure to follow Thermal pad installation guidelines.
      • The thermal pad is damaged or detached from the surface.
      • The new part to be installed is of different brand or form factor from the replaced one; the new part might cause thermal pads to be deformed or damaged.

      Figure 2. Top cover thermal pads
      
      

      Figure 3. Bottom cover thermal pads
      
      
2. Install the processor backplate.
   1. Align the processor backplate with the screw holes on the bottom side of the system board; then lower the processor backplate down to the system board.
   2. Hold the processor backplate together with the system board; then turn the system board over to let the top side facing up.
      Note

      Make sure not to drop the processor backplate when turning the system board over since the processor backplate is not yet secured to the system board.

      Figure 4. Installing the processor backplate
      
      
3. Install the processor heat sink.
   1. Align the processor heat sink with the screw holes on the system board; then lower the heat sink down to the system board.
   2. Follow the screw sequence to shown in the illustration to partially tighten the screws; then, follow the same sequence to fully tighten the screws to secure the processor heat sink with the processor backplate on the bottom side of the system board.
   Figure 5. Installing the processor heat sink
   
   
4. Hold the system board by its edge, and carefully turn the system board over to let the bottom side of the system board facing up; then lower the system board onto the top cover.
   Note

   Make sure not to let the system board touch the rubber on the edge of the top cover when installing the system board.

   Figure 6. Installing the system board
   
   
5. Install the bottom cover.
   1. Align the bottom cover with the guiding slots on both sides of the node; then, lower the bottom cover onto the node.
   2. Insert the front and rear I/O brackets into the node until they are seated in place.
      Figure 7. Installing the bottom cover
      
      
6. Tighten screws to the bottom cover.
   1. Tighten two Phillips #1 screws with pre-applied white threadlocking adhesive to the short sides of the bottom cover.
   2. Tighten six Phillips #2 screws to the long sides of the bottom cover as illustrated; then reverse the node to let the top side facing up.
      Figure 8. Installing the screws
      
      
7. Tighten screws to secure the cover.
   1. Tighten four Phillips #2 screws to the long sides of the top cover.
      Note

      The screw holes might be covered by fan cables. Carefully pull the fan cable out a little bit to install the screw, and put the cable back after installing the screw.
   2. Slide the pull-out information tabs outward from the node.
   3. Tighten the four Phillips #1 screws with pre-applied white threadlocking adhesive to the short sides of the top cover; then let the bottom side of the node facing up.
      Note

      Make sure to slide the pull-out information tabs back once the screw underneath is fully installed.

      Figure 9. Installing the screws