The CPU (Central Processing Unit) performs essential logical and mathematical operations to carry out a computer program's set of instructions. CPUs, or processors, connect to the computer through a processor socket integrated into the system board. Socket 423 refers to the CPU socket designed for first-generation Pentium 4 processors. Intel replaced Socket 423 with Socket 478 less than a year later, due to the clock speed limitations of the hardware. Socket 478 technology allowed processors to exceed 2.0-gigahertz speeds. The PowerLeap PL-P4/N allows you to upgrade your system board from socket 423 to socket 478 without replacing any hardware (other than the processor itself).
Instructions
1. Turn off the computer. Disconnect the power cable, mouse, keyboard, monitor and any other devices from the device panel located on the rear of the system.
2. Press the power button to drain the system board of electricity. Remove the screws located on the back of the case to loosen the cover.
3. Slide the cover off of the case. Touch the chassis to ground yourself. Remove the power cable leading from the fan to the system board. Release the fasteners holding the heat sink in place.
4. Wiggle the heat sink back and forth to loosen the thermal bond between the heat sink and processor. Continue to wiggle the heat sink as you lift it from the processor.
5. Lift the lever securing the processor to the socket. Lift the processor directly up by its edges.
6. Remove the PL-P4/N from its packaging. Line up the pins on the converter with the holes in Socket 423. Place the PL-P4/N directly on top of the processor socket. Do not force the converter onto the socket; it only fits in one direction.
7. Push down the lever to secure the converter in place. Connect one end of the PL-P4/N power cable to a four-pin peripheral power connector coming from the power supply.
8. Connect the other end of the power connector to the power slot on the Socket 423-to-Socket 478 converter. Lift the lever on the converter.
9. Remove the Socket 478 processor from its packaging. Line up the pins on the bottom of the processor with the notches in the converter.
10. Place the processor directly on top of the converter. Do not touch the pins on the processor; handle the CPU by its edges.
11. Push down the lever to secure the new processor in place. Apply a dab of thermal compound to the top of the processor. Use a business card to spread the thermal compound along the entire top surface of the processor.
12. Use a Q-tip to clean up any thermal compound stuck to the edges of the processor.
13. Line up the heat sink and CPU fan with the bracket. Place the heat sink and CPU fan directly on top of the Socket 478 processor.
14. Install the fasteners to the heat sink to secure the heat sink and CPU fan in place.
15. Connect one end of the fan cable adapter to a four-pin peripheral cable coming from the power supply. Connect the other end to the CPU fan cable.
16. Reconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse and power cable to the rear of the system. Power on the computer to test the converter. Screw the case back on the computer and reconnect any devices to the rear of the system.
Tags: heat sink, power cable, system board, processor socket, rear system