Worried about first CPU install

yeshi160 · July 9, 2013

Hey, this is my first post on this forum, so I hope I give enough info and stuff. I am doing my first build ever, but I'm a bit concerned, I don't know how much tension the retension arm on the bracket is suppose to have but it feels like a lot. I've read a few forum posts in searches saying intel's retention arms are always REALLY tough, and I was wondering if any more experienced builders then I can vouch for that. No pins are bent, and it's impossible to put a CPU in the wrong way since the little notches line up. So once I put the CPU in the socket, should I push down on it a little bit to make sure it's in then just give the arm a good push into place? It's not tough with nothing in the slot obviously, the difference with the CPU in was just a big change and worried me a bit, but I keep reading it's normal. So should it be pretty tough to push down?

(Not tough like it's actually physically too hard for me but just really has a lot of force against my finger.)

CPU is an intel i5 4670k

nightlitezzz · July 9, 2013

Firstly welcome to the forum.

Relax. Just lift up the arm and open up the socket. Get the CPU put it in gently, then give it a gentle wiggle and it should fall in the socket. To make sure, try wiggling it again, it should be secure now. Just put the bracket back on and lock the retention arm. When you put the arm BACK ON it should be a bit stiffer, don't worry.

Eric1024 · July 9, 2013

Welcome to the forum!

Yeah the retention arms definitely take a lot more force then you would except to push down, but don't worry. There are 1150 pins in that socket, so the force is distributed between them, meaning you'd basically have to hit the CPU with a hammer to actually bend the pins under it. It's a little scary the first time, but it is normal :)

fishymamba · July 9, 2013

Hello! Yes the CPU retention arm should be pretty tough to push down. I had the same worry when I built my computer!

Just line up the notches on the motherboard and CPU, wiggle the CPU a tiny bit to make sure it is seated and then push down the retention arm.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any more questions!
-fishymamba LTT Intel Response Team

Linus video about installing Intel CPUs, 1150 socket should be the same.

yeshi160 · July 9, 2013

Welcome to the forum!

Yeah the retention arms definitely take a lot more force then you would except to push down, but don't worry. There are 1150 pins in that socket, so the force is distributed between them, meaning you'd basically have to hit the CPU with a hammer to actually bend the pins under it. It's a little scary the first time, but it is normal :)

Sure was scary. Alright, that alleviates a lot of my worries. It was really tough, so I was worried I was doing something wrong. I guess it's kinda like eggs, you can balance tons of weight on eggs if you distribute the weight blah blah. Thanks a lot guys. Really helped me out!

Eric1024 · July 9, 2013

Sure was scary. Alright, that alleviates a lot of my worries. It was really tough, so I was worried I was doing something wrong. I guess it's kinda like eggs, you can balance tons of weight on eggs if you distribute the weight blah blah. Thanks a lot guys. Really helped me out!

No problem! Good luck with the build, and be sure to take pictures and post em in the build logs section :P