Apple xserve early 2008 User Manual

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Processor Heat Sink 91
Loosen the four screws securing the heat sink that is closest to the DIMM slots (CPU A) in the 
1.  
order indicated below.  
  
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Processor Heat Sink 92
Caution: Whenever you handle the heat sink, handle it from the slotted sides, not the 
smooth sides. Grasping the smooth sides of the heat sink can compress its ribs causing 
permanent damage. 
  
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Processor Heat Sink 93
Caution: Each heat sink is connected to the logic board by a small 2-pin thermal sensor 
2.  
cable. Lifting the heat sink too quickly can damage the cable or connector. Because of 
the tight thermal bond between the processor and heat sink, be especially cautious to 
initially lift the heat sink no more than one centimeter (1 cm) off the processor. Do not 
pull on the cable as you lift the heat sink enough to disconnect the cable from the logic 
board.
Slowly raise the heat sink off the processor just far enough that you can reach the sensor 
cable connector. 
Pull on the connector, not the cable, to disconnect the sensor cable from the logic board.  
3. 
Lift the heat sink straight up and out of the enclosure.
4.   
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Processor Heat Sink 94
Replacement Procedure
Note: The thermal bond between the processor heat sink and the processor requires thermal 
grease for proper operation. Every time you remove or replace the processor heat sink, you must 
replace the thermal grease on the processor below the heat sink. New grease and an alcohol 
wipe for cleaning off the old grease are included with the replacement heat sink. Clean the 
processor and apply new grease as followsRelease the latch on the metal processor holder for the processor.
1.  
Rotate the top of the holder to the open position.  
2.  
Carefully lift the processor out of the holder.  
3. 
Important: When removing or installing a processor, always hold the processor by three 
corners. Be extremely careful not to touch the gold pins on the bottom of the processor, as 
this type of connector is very sensitive to contamination. Also be careful not to touch the 
gold pins in the processor socket on the logic board.   
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Processor Heat Sink 95
Clean off any existing thermal grease on the top face of the processor using the alcohol wipe 
4.  
provided with the replacement part, being careful not to get any thermal grease on the 
processor contacts.  
Apply the entire contents on a single syringe of thermal grease (approximately 4.5 cc) to the 
5. 
top surface of the processor.  
Important: Be sure not to get any grease anywhere on the processor other than the very 
top, flat surface that directly contacts the heat sink.   
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Processor Heat Sink 96
Use the edge of the package that the alcohol wipe came in as a spatula to spread the 
6.  
thermal grease evenly over the entire top surface of the processor. Scrape off any excess 
grease with the package edge, then discard the package.  
Holding the processor by three corners only, keep the processor level as you place it into its 
7.  
holder on the logic board, being careful not to get any thermal grease on the contacts of 
either the processor or its socket holder.
  
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Processor Heat Sink 97
Note: When installing the processor on the logic board, align the processor notch with the 
tab on the processor holder, as shown. Then lower the processor straight down onto the 
socket.
 
Rotate the top of the holder to the closed position.
8.  
Engage the latch on the metal processor holder.
9. 
Holding the heat sink in one hand, reconnect the 2-pin thermal sensor cable for the heat 
10.  
sink to the logic board.  
Note: Make sure the connector on the sensor cable is oriented as shown, with the gold 
fingers facing up.   
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Processor Heat Sink 98
Carefully seat the heat sink over the processor, aligning the four screws with the holes in the 
11 .  
logic board.
Tighten the four captive Phillips mounting screws for the heat sink in the order indicated 
12.  
below. Do not over-tighten the screws. If you have a torque driver, tighten the screws to 8 
inch-pounds; otherwise, try to tighten the screws with equal pressure.  
Repeat steps 1 through 12 for the other processor heat sink.
13 .   
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Processor 99
Processor
This procedure illustrates how to remove the right processor (CPU A). The instructions are the 
same for removing the left processor (CPU B).
Note: The thermal bond between the processor heat sink and the processor requires thermal 
grease for proper operation. Every time you remove the processor heat sink, you must replace the 
thermal grease. New grease and alcohol wipes for cleaning off the previous grease are included 
with replacement processors and logic boards. Instructions for applying the grease are included 
with the heat sink removal procedure. Note that replacement processor heat sinks come with the 
grease already applied.  
Tools
No tools are required for this procedure. However, you may find a flat-blade screwdriver helpful in 
releasing the processor holder latch.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, do the following:Open the Xserve and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface.
• 
Remove the airflow duct.
• 
Remove the processor heat sink.
•  
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Processor 100
Part Location
Removal Procedure
Release the latch on the metal processor holder.
1.  
Rotate the top of the holder to the open position.  
2.