Replacing Your LGA775 Processor - A Guide

Here is a guide to remove and install a LGA775 socket processor. In this guide, I will remove a Pentium 4 524 processor along with its original Intel fansink to be replaced with a new Pentium D 940 processor with a custom Deepcool S775J02 fansink.
If you ask me is it hard? No, it's not! You just need to be careful when doing it.
What special in this guide is that the processor is replaced without a necessity to detach your motherboard from computer casing.

Intel Pentium D 940 processor with custom Deepcool S777J02 fansink

Let's go straight to the guide:

1. The first step is to open your CPU case, make sure that all power cord have been pulled off.
2. Remove the fansink by rotating each fastener 1/4 turn counterclockwise, then pull up on each fastener to release them. Finally, remove the fansink.
   
   
3. Open socket lever by pushing lever down and away from the socket (1) then lift the lever (2).
   
4. Clean the dust first (if any) before pulling the load plate. This is done to protect the socket contacts from dust or damage when cleaning.
   
5. Make sure that any of the socket contacts is not bent. If so, use a pinset to repair any bent. In my case, I use a custom fansink, therefore I have to put the fan chassis behind motherboard to fit the fan screw (But if you use a different fansink like original Intel, you don't have to do this).
   
6. Now hold the processor with thumb and index fingers (only hold processor at the edges). Align notches with socket. Lower the processor vertically without title or sliding the processor.
   NOTE: Never touch the bottom of processor. Make sure that the protective cover has been removed before installing it to the socket.
   
7. Close the load plate (1) by pressing it down and engage socket lever (2). Lock the lever by pushing it towards in (3).
   
8. Place the fansink onto the motherboard and align the fasteners through the holes, use a screwdriver to fasten the fansink. Don't forget to attach the fansink cable to power source at your motherboard.
   NOTE: Be careful not to touch the thermal grease attached to the bottom of the fansink.
   

Now you can close your computer case and test it! If your computer turned on and the BIOS beeps correctly (one short beep), that means you have just successfully replaced your processor!

NOTE: Don't replace your processor too often. This procedure should only be repeated less than 20 times before your processor or motherboard performance degrades.