Step 4: Lay your computer case down flat with the motherboard and processor facing you. Remove the heatsink from it's packaging and check the bottom to make sure the thermal interface material on the bottom of the heatsink is undamaged. Some heatsinks come with grayish thermal compound pre-applied by the factory, if this is the case you do NOT need to add any additional compound. The heatsink can simply be installed as is.

If the heatsink did not come with any thermal compound pre-applied, you'll need to apply a small amount of thermal compound to the base of the heatsink and top of the processors' integrated heatspreader. From the supplied syringe or plastic squeeze pack, add a small drop of thermal compound to the bottom of the heatsink and spread it around evenly with your finger tip. If the heatsink had a protective plastic film covering the base, be sure you removed that first.

Next, add a small amount of thermal compound to the top of the AMD processor and spread it around evenly. Never-ever install a heatsink without thermal compound and do not apply too much. Since this material is used to fill microscopic voids between the heatsink and CPU, a little really does go a long way.

In this PCSTATS DIY Guide we're using standard white silicone based thermal compound, also known as 'thermal grease' or 'thermal paste.' It's economical, quite effective and completely non-conductive. Silver-based thermal compounds can endanger your computer system if they leak or are applied carelessly and short out an electrical connection.

With AMD heatsinks there are usually two ways the CPU cooler can face, as long as the metal heatsink clips are aligned with the plastic tabs on either side of the motherboard heatsink retention cage everything will work.

(Aftermarket heatsinks - Generally speaking, tower style heatsinks should be installed so hot air exhausts from the heatsink towards the rear of the computer case or towards the top vents / powersupply.)

Step 5: Place the heatsink on top of the socket FM1 processor and hook one of the heatsinks' metal clips over one of the plastic tabs of the motherboard heatsink retention cage. It's easiest to do this with the fixed end of the metal clip.

Sit the heatsink flat in the socket and make sure the heatsink cam lever arm is in it's loose, unlocked position.

Engage the metal heatsink clip with the motherboard heatsink retention tab. Ensure that the heatsink is sitting evenly on top of the processor and rotate the cam lever arm 180 degrees to the right to apply camping force and lock the heatsink firmly in position.

The heatsink cam lever arm is now in it's locked position and the heatsink is installed. All that remains is to connect the CPU heatsink fan power cable to the correct motherboard fan header.

Give the installed heatsink a gentle little twist to ensure it's installed correctly and nothing is loose or prone to fall off when the computer case is moved around. There should be no play in the heatsink - it should be very firmly attached to the motherboard at this point.