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AMD's Threadripper CPU is a significant departure from any mount system the company has used before. And if you're planning to purchase one of these chips, nosotros'd strongly recommend familiarizing yourself with the process before you begin.

Hither'southward why: For over a decade, AMD has used basically the same mounting system for its CPUs. The heatsink locks down over the chip with a pair of prongs with 1-3 hooks on each side of the cadre. The dimensions of the socket changed so little over that time, you could use coolers that date back to the original Athlon 64 on AM3+ motherboards (provided they were rated for the CPUs TDP, of course).

AM4 slightly adjusted the ratio. But Threadripper? Threadripper tosses out that rulebook birthday.

The new TR4 socket packs iv,094 pins and is AMD's start LGA (Land Grid Array) product for its consumer hardware sectionalization. The socket's physical dimensions are identical to Epyc'southward, even if the proper noun is dissimilar (TR4 for Threadripper, SP3 for Epyc). MSI has released a video showing how you install a Threadripper CPU and the steps involved in doing and so.

For those of you who don't want to or tin can't scout the video, here are the steps:

Outset, use the Torx wrench (provided by AMD) to loosen the three Torx screws that hold the chip's retention bracket to the motherboard. These are loosened in a three-two-1 pattern (each corner of the socket is labeled). The "ane" Torx screw is at the top of the motherboard.

Once the retention plate is lifted, you lot'll see a second retention bracket underneath it. Yous slide the Threadripper CPU and the orange sled it's mounted to into the 2nd retention bracket. Assuming you are looking down at the motherboard, with the CPU at the top of the board and the PCIe slots and various peripheral headers at the bottom, you desire to make certain that the arrow on the CPU is in the peak-left corner of the sled. I'm not sure it's even possible to insert the sled any other style, but let'due south not accept bets on it.

Once the CPU is fully and correctly inserted, yous lower the 2nd retention bracket downwards into the socket. With that done, the primary memory bracket drops back down as well. The torx screws should be tightened in reverse order, i-ii-three, as opposed to the 3-ii-1 used to loosen it.

One time that'south done and you've applied your thermal paste, it's time to mount the cooler.Here, the mounting system is similar to what Intel uses for its LGA 2066. There are four spiral sockets effectually the CPU frame, and all uniform coolers will utilize these sockets to mount accordingly. Mount the cooler, tighten your screws, and voilà — everything locks down.

The overall installation procedure is different than anything nosotros've seen from AMD before. But information technology's not hard, and every Threadripper CPU contains a Torx screwdriver every bit part of the kit.

Lid-tip to our sister site PCMag, which initially posted this story.