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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 driver. This procedure must be executed by a trained technician.

About this task

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.

  • Each processor socket must always contain a cover or a PHM. When removing or installing a PHM, 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 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. If the system supports multiple processors, install the PHMs starting with the first processor socket.

Note
  • The heat sink, processor, and processor carrier for your 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 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 sink9 Clips to secure processor in carrier
2 Heat sink triangular mark10 Processor ejector handle
3 Processor identification label11 Carrier triangular mark
4 Nut and wire bail retainer12 Processor heat spreader
5 Torx T30 nut13 Thermal grease
6 Anti-tilt wire bail14 Processor contacts
7 Processor carrier15 Processor triangular mark
8 Clips to secure carrier to heat sink 
Firmware and driver download: You might need to update the firmware or driver after replacing a component.

Procedure

  1. Record the processor identification label.
    • If you are replacing a processor and reusing the heat sink, remove the processor identification label from the heat sink and replace it with the new label that comes with the replacement processor.
    • If you are replacing a heat sink and reusing the processor, 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 the processor in the new carrier.
    Note
    • If you are replacing the processor and reusing the heat sink, use the new carrier that comes with the new processor.
    • If you are replacing the heat sink and reusing the processor, and if the new heat sink comes with two processor carriers, make sure to use the same type of carrier as the one you discarded.
    Figure 2. Installing a processor carrier
    Installing a processor carrier
    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

    Visually inspect to make sure that clips at all four corners fully engage
    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. Visually inspect to make sure that there is no gap between the processor carrier and the heat sink.
  5. Install the processor-heat-sink module into the processor socket.
    Note
    • Do not touch the contacts on the bottom of the processor.
    • Keep the processor socket clean from any object to prevent possible damages.
    Figure 5. Installing a 3U standard PHM
    Installing a 3U standard PHM
    Figure 6. Installing a 2U performance PHM
    Installing a 2U performance PHM
    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. (For reference, the torque required for the fasteners to fully tighten is 0.9 newton-meters, 8 inch-pounds).

After you finish

  1. If you replaced a front PHM, reinstall the following:
    1. Reinstall the front air baffle. See Install the front air baffle.
    2. Reinstall the front top cover. See Install the front top cover.
  2. If you replaced a rear PHM, reinstall the following:
    1. Reinstall the rear air baffle. See Install the rear air baffle.
    2. Reinstall all the PCIe risers. See Install the PCIe riser.
    3. Reinstall the crossbar. See Install the crossbar.
    4. Reinstall the rear top cover. See Install the rear top cover.
    5. Reinstall the front top cover. See Install the front top cover.
  3. Complete the parts replacement. See Complete the parts replacement.

Demo video

Watch the procedure on YouTube