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Microprocessor: Dell™ OptiPlex™ GX110 System User's Guide

Upgrading the Microprocessor

Upgrading the Microprocessor

The following items are included in a microprocessor upgrade kit:

• Microprocessor chip

• Heat sink with thermal interface adhesive

The following procedure describes how to replace the microprocessor.

NOTE: Dell recommends that only a technically knowledgeable person perform the following procedure.

CAUTION: To avoid the possibility of electric shock, turn off the computer and any peripherals, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, and then wait at least 5 seconds before you remove the computer cover. Also, before you upgrade the microprocessor, see the other precautions in "Safety First—For You and Your Computer."

1. Remove the computer cover according to the instructions in "Removing and Replacing the Computer Cover."
   
   
2. Locate the microprocessor socket on the system board.
   
   
3. For a midsize or mini tower system, remove the airflow shroud.
   
   
1. For a midsize system, pull up on the release tabs on the sides of the shroud, and lift the airflow shroud straight up and out of the chassis (see Figure 1).

2. For a mini tower system, lay the system on its side. Pull up on the release tabs while you lift and rotate the bottom of the shroud up and away from the microprocessor/heat sink assembly (see Figure 2). Remove the shroud tabs from the chassis hooks, and lift the shroud out of the chassis.

Figure 1. Airflow Shroud and Microprocessor/Heat Sink Assembly (Midsize Chassis)

1 Airflow shroud 2 Release tabs 3 Retaining clip 4 Chassis hooks 5 Heat sink assembly

Figure 2. Airflow Shroud and Microprocessor/Heat Sink Assembly (Mini Tower Chassis)

1 Shroud tabs 2 Chassis hooks 3 Release tabs

4. For a small-form-factor or low-profile system, disconnect the fan cable from the system board, remove the two screws securing the cooling fan to the heat sink (see Figure 8), and lift the cooling fan away.
   
   
5. Remove the heat sink from the microprocessor by pressing down on the hinged end of the metal clip that secures the heat sink to the microprocessor socket (see Figure 3) and lifting the heat sink away from the microprocessor chip. The securing clip hooks over the tab on the side of the socket opposite the hinged end.

Figure 3. Microprocessor Heat Sink

1 Securing clip 2 Press here to release securing clip

NOTE: Figure 3 shows the heat sink fan as it appears in the small-form-factor and low-profile chassis. The fan is not attached to the heat sink in the midsize or mini tower chassis.

6. Remove the microprocessor chip from the socket.
   
   

Your microprocessor socket is a zero insertion force (ZIF) socket with a lever-type handle that secures the chip in, or releases it from, the socket.

To remove the chip, pull the microprocessor-socket release lever straight up until the chip is released (see Figure 4), and then remove the chip from the socket.

Leave the release lever extended so that the socket is ready for the new microprocessor.

Figure 4. Removing the Microprocessor

1 Microprocessor chip 2 Release lever 3 Microprocessor socket

NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.

NOTICE: Be careful not to bend any of the pins when you unpack the microprocessor. Bending the pins can permanently damage the microprocessor.

7. Unpack the new microprocessor.
   
   

If any of the pins on the chip appear to be bent, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.

8. Align the pin-1 corner of the microprocessor chip with the pin-1 corner of the microprocessor socket (see Figure 5).
   
   

   NOTE: You must identify the pin-1 corner to correctly position the chip.

The pin-1 corner of the microprocessor is the beveled corner. In Figure 5, the pin-1 corner of the socket, labeled "1," is the front-left corner of the socket as you face the front of the computer.

NOTICE: You must position the microprocessor chip correctly in the socket to avoid permanent damage to the chip and the computer when you turn on the system.

9. Install the microprocessor chip in the socket (see Figure 5).

1. If the release lever on the microprocessor socket is not fully extended, move it to that position now.
   
   
2. With the pin-1 corners of the chip and socket aligned, align the pins on the chip with the holes in the socket.

NOTICE: When you place the microprocessor chip in the socket, be sure that all of the pins go into the corresponding holes on all sides of the socket. Be careful not to bend the pins.

3. Set the chip lightly in the socket and make sure all pins are headed into the correct holes. Because your system uses a ZIF microprocessor socket, there is no need to use force (which could bend the pins if the chip is misaligned). When the chip is positioned correctly, press it with minimal pressure to seat it.
   
   
4. When the chip is fully seated in the socket, pivot the microprocessor-socket release lever back toward the socket until it snaps into place, securing the chip.

Figure 5. Installing the Microprocessor Chip

1 Pin-1 corners of chip and socket aligned

NOTICE: Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.

10. Unpack the heat sink included in your upgrade kit.
    
    
11. Peel the release liner from the adhesive tape that is attached to the bottom of the heat sink.

12. Replace the heat sink.

Figure 6. Heat Sink Position (All Chassis)

1 Heat sink 2 Heat sink extension 3 Microprocessor chip 4 Securing clip

1. Place the heat sink flat on the top surface of the microprocessor chip with the heat sink's extension down the side of the microprocessor chip (see Figure 6A).
   
   NOTICE: Make sure the heat sink extension is not positioned on top of the microprocessor chip, which will hold the heat sink away from the top surface (see Figure 6B). The microprocessor will overheat if the heat sink is not positioned flat against the microprocessor chip's top surface.

Figure 7. Installing the Heat Sink (Mini Tower Chassis)

1 Airflow shroud 2 Securing clip 3 Heat sink 4 Microprocessor chip 5 Microprocessor socket

Figure 8. Installing the Heat Sink (Small-Form-Factor and Low-Profile Chassis)

1 Cooling fan screws (2) 2 Cooling fan 3 Securing clip 4 Heat sink 5 Microprocessor chip 6 Microprocessor socket

2. Orient the securing clip as shown in Figure 7 or Figure 8, and hook the unhinged end of the clip over the tab on the top edge of the socket.
   
   
3. Press down on the hinged end of the clip to snap the clip over the tab on the bottom edge of the socket.

13. For a midsize or mini tower system, replace the airflow shroud you removed in step 3.

For a small-form-factor or low-profile system, replace the cooling fan you removed in step 4, and then plug the fan cable into its connector on the system board.

14. Replace the computer cover,  reconnect your computer and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn them on.

As the system boots, it detects the presence of the new microprocessor and automatically changes the system configuration information in System Setup.

15. Enter System Setup, and confirm that the Microprocessor option correctly identifies the installed microprocessor.

16. Run the Dell Diagnostics to verify that the new microprocessor is operating correctly.

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