ASUS A7V-M User’s Manual 23
3. HARDWARE SETUP
3.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The motherboard provides a Socket 462 or Socket A for CPU installation. The CPU
that came with the motherboard should have a fan and heatsink attached to it to
prevent overheating. If this is not the case, then purchase and install a set before you
turn on your system.
WARNING! Make sure that the heatsink is mounted tightly against the processor.
Make sure also that there is sufficient air circulation across the processor’s heat-
sink by regularly checking that your CPU fan is working. Without sufficient cir-
culation, the processor could overheat and damage both the processor and the
motherboard. You may install an auxiliary fan, if necessary. A CPU thermal sen-
sor is integrated on the motherboard, located near the center of the CPU heat
source, just below the CPU socket, to help in monitoring the CPU temperature.
To install a CPU, first turn off your system and remove its cover. Locate the Socket
462 and open it by first pulling the lever sideways away from the socket then up-
ward to a 90-degree angle. Insert the CPU with the correct orientation as shown. The
notched corner should be orientated toward the blank space on the socket nearest the
lever. Because the CPU has a corner pin for two of the four corners, the CPU will
only fit in the orientation as shown. The picture is for reference only; you should
have a CPU fan and heatsink that covers the face of the CPU. With the added weight
of the CPU fan and heatsink, no force is required to insert the CPU. Once com-
pletely inserted, close the socket’s lever while holding down the CPU.
NOTE: Do not forget to set the correct Bus Frequency and Multiple (frequency mul-
tiple setting is available only on unlocked processors) for your processor or else boot-
up may not be possible. Socket A processors require a socket mounted thermal resistor.
CAUTION! • Be careful not to scrape the motherboard when mounting/unmounting a
clamp-style processor fan or else damage may occur to the motherboard.
• When mounting a heatsink onto your CPU, make sure that the
CPU capacitors (see encircled areas below) do not touch the
heatsink; otherwise, your CPU will be damaged! See your
heatsink/CPU documentation for details.
CPU
3. H/W SETUP
A7V-M Socket A
AMD™ Athlon
NOTCH
A7V-M
LOCK
BLANK
LEVER