Installing The Cpu Heatsink And Fan - Asus M4A78-E - Motherboard - ATX User Manual

2.3.2

Installing the CPU heatsink and fan

The AMD ® AM3/AM2+/AM2 processor requires a specially designed heatsink and fan
assembly to ensure optimum thermal condition and performance.
Ensure that you use only AMD-certified heatsink and fan assembly.
To install the CPU heatsink and fan:
1. Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, ensuring that the heatsink fits properly
on the retention module base.
• The retention module base is already installed on the motherboard upon purchase.
• You do not have to remove the retention module base when installing the CPU or
installing other motherboard components.
• If you purchased a separate CPU heatsink and fan assembly, ensure that a Thermal
Interface Material is properly applied to the CPU heatsink or CPU before you install
the heatsink and fan assembly.
Retention bracket
lock
Retention bracket
Your boxed CPU heatsink and fan assembly should come with installation instructions for
the CPU, heatsink, and the retention mechanism. If the instructions in this section do not
match the CPU documentation, follow the latter.
ASUS M4A78-E
CPU fan
CPU heatsink
Retention module
base
2-7