AMD made several noteworthy accomplishments with its socket FM1 'Llano' processor, the most important being the integration of a graphics core directly onto a CPU die which substantially reduced motherboard complexity.

Major architectural changes were also brought forth by AMD's Fusion family of processors, yet like the socket AM2/AM2+/AM3 processors that preceded it AMD kept the socket and heatsink mounting system totally compatible.

Installing a socket FM1 AMD A8-series processor into a motherboard is not too difficult, unless you've never done anything like this before and in that case a little guidance is called for.

Below every AMD CPU are fragile little gold pins that must engage with the socket in the right way, they must not be touched, gotten wet or fed after midnight...

Here at PCSTATS we've had our share of troubles with computer hardware and received a good deal of questions from readers who aren't entirely confident they can install an AMD CPU into a fresh motherboard, or upgrade an older socket FM1 processor to a newer, faster model. We thought we'd run off a quick Beginners Guide illustrating the procedure for installing a socket FM1 AMD processor for the benefit of our readers. If you are planning on building a AMD based computer anytime soon, bookmark this PCSTATS Beginners Guide.

AMD FM1 Processor and Socket

AMD socket FM1 processors have 905 little gold pins on the underside of the processor which make electrical contact with an equal number of mating pin-holes in the processor socket. When handling a processor it's a good rule of them to never touch the electrical pins. These pins can be damaged by the oils on your fingers, bent out of shape or broken off by careless handling. In very rare circumstances, a static electric charge may fry the integrated circuit at the heart of the processor package.

The correct way to hold a processor is by the edges of the PCB so your fingers do not touch the delicate gold pins. Incidently, this is also the proper way to hold a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Occasionally, motherboard and videocard capacitors will continue to maintain a charge long after the device is de-energized - the PCB is non-conductive so it can save you from a potentially nasty shock.

Generally speaking it's best to leave the CPU in its protective carrier until the moment you're ready to install it. Otherwise place the CPU on bit of antistatic foam or a clean sheet of paper until you're ready to install the chip into the motherboard socket.

As you proceed through this DIY Guide, remember that it's extremely important the processor be installed slowly, carefully and vertically into the socket, and removed the same way. Any careless handling will damage the electrical pins and may leave you with a useless high tech paperweight.

PCSTATS will now describe the step by step process of installing an AMD 'Llano' socket FM1 processor correctly into a socket FM1 motherboard. It's not the hardest thing in the world, but it pays to be careful and follow a predetermined set of steps if you've never attempted anything like this before. There are one or two tricks to getting chip into and out of the CPU socket without damaging anything. Let's begin...