Replace CPU and Heatsink (X8450 Server Module)

The following procedure describes the steps for replacing a CPU and heatsink in a Sun Blade X8450 Server Module.

Caution

Both the CPU and heatsink are considered field-replaceable units (FRUs) that should only be replaced by a qualified Sun service technician.

What to Do

Follow these steps to replace the CPU and, if applicable, heatsink on an X8450 Server Module:

  1. To power off the blade, remove it from the chassis and remove the blade cover, follow these steps:

    1. Prepare the blade for removal

      See Prepare Components for a Hot-Remove Operation.

    2. Remove the blade from the chassis.

      See Replace Blade.

    3. Remove the blade cover.

      See Remove Blade Cover - X8450.

  2. To prevent static damage to internal blade components, attach the provided antistatic wrist strap. Ground the other end of the antistatic strap to the system chassis (sheet metal). For additional information, see the instructions that are shipped with the strap.

  3. Locate the heatsink CPU components on the motherboard that you want to replace.

    The illustration below identifies the order of the the heatskink / CPUs on the X8450 Server Module

  4. To remove the heatsink from the motherboard follow these steps:

    1. Use a 9/64 Allen (Hex-head) wrench to loosen the four spring-loaded mounting screws that secure the heatsink to the motherboard.

    2. Hold down the top of the heatsink to prevent it from tipping unevenly while you alternately loosen the mounting screws.

    3. Twist the heatsink slightly to reduce the adhesive and surface tension properties between the heatsink and CPU.

    4. Lift the heatsink off of the board and turn the heatsink upside down to allow the four washers in each of the four mounting holes to fall out into your hand.

    5. Set the heatsink upside down on a clean, antistatic, flat surface to prevent the thermal grease from contaminating other components.

      Tip

      The following items can be used as an antistatic surface: (1) the bag used to ship the component and (2) the Sun Electronic Discharge (ESD) mat, Sun part number 250-1088 (available through your Sun Sales representative).

  5. To remove the CPU chip from the socket, follow these steps:

    1. Pull the CPU socket locking lever into the Open position and lift the CPU out of the socket.

      Leave the CPU socket lever in the Open position.

  6. To install the replacement CPU into the CPU socket, do the following:

    1. Unpack the new CPU and heatsink (if a new heatsink was ordered).

    2. Ensure that the CPU socket lever is in the Open position.

    3. Orient the CPU chip with the socket so that the processor cut-outs on the bottom side of the chip match the socket notches.

      Caution

      The pins on the CPU socket are very fragile. If the CPU is correctly aligned, it will enter the CPU socket with little or no resistance. If you feel more than minimal resistance, stop and recheck the alignment. Forcing a misaligned CPU into the CPU socket could damage both devices.

    4. When the CPU is fully seated in the socket, push the CPU socket locking lever down to the Close position. (picture)

  7. Perform one the following, sepending on if you are reinstalling an existing heatsink or installing a new heatsink.

    • Reinstalling existing heatsink. Perform these steps:

      1. Remove any heavy amounts of thermal grease with a tissue. Then use an alcohol pad to clean all old thermal grease from the component surfaces

      2. Use one syringe of thermal grease (1 ml) to carefully apply grease to the top of the CPU in two lines that make an X pattern and a third line placed horizontally across the mid section of the X.

      Caution

      Ensure that the thermal grease in the syringe supplied with the CPU is pliable and not stiff. If the syringe of grease has aged, the grease may be too stiff to adequately spread out and provide thermal conductance.

    • Installing new heatsink. Perform these steps:

      1. Remove the heatsink plastic cover protecting the thermal grease that was preapplied at the factory.

      2. Do NOT apply additional thermal greese to a new heatskink.

        Caution

        All new heatsinks are shipped with preapplied grease. You could cause damage to the CPU components if you apply additional thermal grease to the new heatsink.

  8. To install the heatsink on the motherboard, do the following:

    1. . If a protective film covers the underside of the heatsink, remove the protective film cover.

    2. Lower the heatsink over the CPU socket, aligning the 4 captive screws with the holes on the motherboard

    3. Tighten the 4 captive screws using a 9/64 Allen (Hex-head) wrench, finger-tighten each captive screw diagonally according to the numbers shown in the figure above.

    4. To fully secure the heatskink on the motherboard, re-tighten each captive screw in the same order as Step 8b.

  9. Reinstall the blade cover and insert the blade into the chassis. For additional information, see the installation instructions in:

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