AMD Athlon cpu installation requires a proper approach and the proper tools. AMD CPUs are designed to allow for direct contact between the sensitive CPU core and the heatsink. This design presumably is intended to allow for the greatest efficiency in transfering heat between the CPU and Heatsink.
Intel CPUs for example run at a dramatically lower temperature which allows Intel to permently fix a thick aluminum protective plate over the cpu core. This protective plate virtually eliminates the possiblility of damaging the CPU core during installation. Based on our experience the lower operating temperature on The Intel CPU also virtually eliminates the possiblility of overheating the CPU with anything other than a complete failure of the fan.
With AMD CPUs the heatsink should be attached:
Completely and properly before any power is connected to the motherboard.
Installation must be done as gently as possible with no more than 3lbs of force applied to the heatsink clip, no force at all placed on the heatsink itself.
Careful application of a small drop of thermal paste directly to the CPU core, but not to any other area of the CPU.
The heatsink must not be slid or shifted during installation as this can cause the heatsink to chip the edges of the CPU core.
A shutoff temperature of no more than 150 Degrees F should be set in the BIOS of the system.
Visually check that the heatsink is laying flat against the CPU core before starting the system.
Be aware that there are limitations to the warranty of AMD CPUs and that it is important to view this heatsink installation as the most important step of the entire system installation when building a system with an AMD Athlon CPU.
