I am confused.

[phen0m]

I have read many guides to building your own computer but some talk about cpu cooling and some don't.
What do I need? Will everything I need come with my processor?
Please explain to me everything I need to do, to cool my processor.

[nevermind1534]

If you buy a retail processor, it will come with a heatsink with the thermal paste already applied. If you buy an OEM one, it will be about $10 cheaper, but won't come with anything. You can buy a heatsink seperately. Aftermarket cooling is usually better than the stock cooling that comes with the processor, but you don't need it if you buy a retail processor.

[phen0m]

I bought one that wasn't OEM, so... I just take it out of the package, it has paste, and I put the heatsink on top of that?

[nevermind1534]

the heatsink should have the past applied to it, then you just pop it on top of the CPU and mount it. Mounting is usually pretty simple, especially with stock.

[phen0m]

I know how to mount it but do I put the heatsink on before I do that?
Will the heatsink stick to it?
And, where does the fan go?

[nevermind1534]

did you go intel, or AMD? The fan is attached to the heatsink.

[phen0m]

Intel. Oh.

[nevermind1534]

There will be four things that go into the motherboard. All that you will have to do is line them up with the holes, and push them in. The motherboard will bend a little. Don't let this scare you, it is normal.

[phen0m]

Okay. So do I put the heatsink on the processor before I put the processor in, or do I put the heatsink on after I put the processor in?

[nevermind1534]

you will lift up the retention bracket, pop the (usually gray) plastic pin protector out, drop the processor in, lock it back up, then pop the the heatsink on. there are two small "divits" in two opposite sides of the cpu. Make sure that these line up with the ones on the motherboard.

[phen0m]

Does it take a lot of force to put the heatsink on? Or do I just gently place it there?
I always get chicken when it comes to using force with computers, I'm afraid I'll break something.

[nevermind1534]

you can't be gentle with it. You will have to use some amount of force. Just push each of the things until they go in.

[phen0m]

Are the things on the heatsink or the processor?

I'm sorry, I know I am a modding noob :$

[nevermind1534]

On the heatsink.

Here's a pic of the socket
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Sockel_775.jpg/652px-Sockel_775.jpg
and a pic of the heatsink on the motherboard
http://www.supremelaw.org/systems/heatsinks/Intel%20Stock.2.jpg
It appears as though they suggest that you do 2 opposite corners first. I have found that this is really the only to get it on.

[phen0m]

I likes pikturz!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks man.

[TheGreatSatan]

Read my build guide. It's about half way down.

http://www.pcmodhouse.com/id48.html

More pics!

[The boy 4rm oz]

nevermind is right on the money. You put the CPU in the socket and the cooler on top. Cos you got retail CPU the cooler already has the thermal paste applied.

[nevermind1534]

Next, slowly add each screw. You should NOT use a power drill here. Over-tightening could crack the surface too.

lol. I didn't know that anybody even used a power drill for that. I guess there's always somebody who will do something stupid. I have a CD that I will upload a picture of, if I can find it.

@The boy 4rm oz: a lot of aftermarket coolers even have the paste pre-applied now, although some still come with the tubes. I think that people usually use way too much, if they get a tube that's good for 10, or so uses with a single heatsink. The pre-applied stuff, over the tube probably greatly reduces overuse and also reduces cost.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Also would save CPU manufacturers cash from not having their products returned due to overheating from too much applied thermal paste lol.