Processor Testing

Under Construction

This page will eventually show how to test processors.

Process

Identify Processor Type (clean with rubbing alcohol if nececessary)

Intel:

Celeron?

Celeron D?

Celeron M?

Core Duo?

Pentium III?

Pentium 4?

Pentium D?

Pentium M?

AMD:

Athlon?

Athlon 64?

Athlon 64 FX?

Athlon 64 X2?

Athlon MP?

Athlon XP?

Duron?

Opteron?

Sempron?

Turion?

VIA:

C3?

Identify Processor Socket Type (listed oldest to newest by make)

• AMD Slot A (Athlon)
• AMD Socket 462 (A) (Athlon, Athlon XP, Duron, Sempron)
• AMD Socket 754 (Athlon 64, Sempron, Turion)
• AMD Socket 940 (Athlon 64 FX, Opteron)
• AMD Socket 939 (Athlon 64, Athlon 64 X2, Sempron, Athlon 64 FX, Opteron)
• AMD Socket AM2 (Athlon 64, Athlon 64 X2, Sempron, Athlon 64 FX, Opteron)
• Intel Slot II (Pentium III, Celeron)
• Intel Socket 370 (Pentium III, Celeron, C3)
• Intel Socket 423 (Pentium 4, Celeron)
• Intel Socket 478 (Pentium 4, Celeron)

• Intel Socket 479 (Pentium M, Celeron M, Core Duo)
• Intel Socket 775 (T) (Pentium 4, Pentium D, Celeron D)

Find a working motherboard compatible with the processor. This may be a challenge. The Advanced Testing Kit supports most socket 478 and socket 462 products. Test the motherboard with known working components to verify the functionality of the motherboard.

Make sure the motherboard is grounded. This can be accomplished in several ways...

• Connected to a power supply that is plugged in and turned off.
• Installed in a case and connected to a power supply that is plugged in and turned off.
• Placed on an ESD safe grounding mat.

Install the Processor

1. Lift the arm of the ZIF socket to the vertical position.
2. Check the pin orientation of the processor in relation to the socket. The processor will only fit in one way.
3. Set the processor in the ZIF socket. The processor should drop right in without resistence, if it doesn't, recheck the orientation and check for bent pins.
4. Lower the ZIF socket arm and click into place.
5. Apply a small amount of thermal compound onto the processor, thinly coating the Die or Heatspreader. Carefully install a proper cooling unit (HSF).
6. Plug the fan connector of the cooling unit (HSF) to the CPU Fan pin header of the motherboard.
7. Install memory and a video card (if necessary) on the motherboard. Connect the floppy drive to the motherboard.
8. Clear the motherboard CMOS.
9. Power up the motherboard and watch for a post. If the board didn't post, go to the troubleshooting flow chart.
10. Change the BIOS settings specific to that processor (FSB, multiplier, core voltage, etc.). Make sure memory is set to auto, SPD, or a speed that it supports.
11. Make sure the floppy drive is in boot sequence and insert memtest floppy disk.
12. Save and exit, system should reboot and load memtest. If system doesn't do this, manually reboot.
13. Watch memtest for immediate errors. If immediate errors show up for processor, the processor is bad. If no errors show up immediatly, the processor is good. Eject memtest disk and hit ESC to reboot then power down system.
14. If the processor was good, mark the model number, FSB speed, and "OK" on the processor. If the processor was bad, recycle it.

Troubleshooting Flow Chart

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