[mookydooky]

The next step is to attach the heatsink. Athlon XP CPUs generate a LOT of heat. Without a proper heatsink in place, the CPU will burn to a crisp in about 0.3 seconds after the power button is depressed. NEVER NEVER NEVER power up a motherboard without a properly installed heatsink in place. In the picture below, you can see that the heatsink attaches to the socket via clips that attach to the lugs on the side.

Gently (I mean that, you can easily crack or chip the core of your CPU if you’re too rough) place the heatsink on the CPU. The heatsink fits only one way. One side of the heatsink will have a step in it. Line that side up with the side of the socket that has the matching step. Once the heatsink is aligned correctly, you are ready to install it.

The clips that attach to heatsink to the socket will have 2 different sides. One side will have a small slot to fit a screwdriver. Fit the other side first. Once that side is placed correctly, carefully use a screwdriver to push down and out, then back in, to finish the installation.