Is the socket AM2 locking lever essential?
 

I recently built my new computer with a friend. He'd built a few before, but I hadn't. Anyway, we got everything hooked up except that my disc drive is still on its way here, so I can't actually test out the computer just yet. While reading over the installation instructions (after the fact of course) I realized that I was supposed to lock my cpu in place with a lever. I never did this, but my cpu heatsink/fan is fixed tightly to the bracket around the cpu. Is it necessary for me to take that off and correct my mistake, or will it be no problem as long as my heatsink/fan stays firmly attached?

Re: Is the socket AM2 locking lever essential?
 

The lever is used for Zero Insertion Force procedures when installing the processor, and YES, it is necessary to lock it.

But locking it only means that you put it back to its original state. I.E. lay it flat - parallel to the motherboard. If the lever is anywhere except flat, then the processor is not fully touching the motherboard connections.

The lever should fit underneath the extension off of the socket. Like this...

Re: Is the socket AM2 locking lever essential?
 

Yes that is a very crucial thing, as well as making sure the CPU is aligned with it's marked corner matching the socket's marked corner.

In fact ANY part that has a locking latch that clips into place should be fully secured be it RAM DIMMs, GPU slots, etc.

Re: Is the socket AM2 locking lever essential?
 

Isn't my circling ability great? This is obviously why I didn't go into art.

Re: Is the socket AM2 locking lever essential?
 

Re: Is the socket AM2 locking lever essential?
 

It's called I use GIMP and I was too lazy to use the circle utility. But, yes, thank you Omen for that enlightening insight.

Re: Is the socket AM2 locking lever essential?
 

Thanks so much for the feedback, but...well this is quite embarrassing. Turns out the person who was helping me set up my computer did that while I wasn't looking, so I really had used the locking lever. Still some great insight! Haha, sorry.