IBM System x / BladeCenter LGA Socket Service Advice

IBM System x and BladeCenter servers are some of the most reliable and robust systems within the computer industry. However, when upgrading or servicing the microprocessors of these systems you must be aware that the pins of the microprocessor sockets are delicate and easily damaged when left exposed.

This short education module will demonstrate the proper methods to upgrade and replace microprocessors and system boards that use "Land Grid Array" or LGA sockets, most notably models of the IBM System x3550, x3650, x3850, x3950, BladeCenter HS22, HS22V, HX5 and newer servers,.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• IBM
• System x
• BladeCenter
• LGA
• Socket
• Service
• Support
• instructional video
• land grid array
• pin damage

[low351]

I'd like to have seen the underside of the heatsink, there's a gold tape on the end that sits over the board electronics. It was unclear to me whether or not to remove it until I saw similar material on the board that initcates it may be an insulator and since the part of the heatsink over those components isn't copper I imagine that's it's function so I left the tape on.

[snaplash]

You should have stopped when the dust cover was dropped into the socket at 5:53, and showed the damage that was done to the socket.

One thing missing from LGA socket guides is an illustration of how easy it is to damage the pins. This would have been a perfect example.