User Guide

9
Without these, the Pi will do nothing. It will not even output a
video signal. For the initial configuration, you may also need to
connect:
1. A display (using HDMI or composite video)
2. A USB keyboard
3. An Ethernet cable or USB Wi-Fi “dongle”
The display, and any USB devices you may connect, can be
removed when they are not in use. For example, a Pi acting as a
file/print server may only need input from computers on the
network and may not always need a keyboard or screen.
Fitting a Heat Sink
When the components in a computer system work hard, they
generate heat. And above a certain level, this heat can reduce
the lifespan of the components or even break them altogether.
A heat sink is a carefully designed block of metal that takes the
heat away from the electronic component and then passes it into
the air surrounding the device.
There are two chips on a Raspberry Pi that can get very hot if the
device is working hard: the central processing unit (1), and the
chip that controls the Ethernet and USB ports (2).
To install a heat sink:
1. Unplug the Pi and leave it to cool before attempting
to handle the device.
2. On the bottom of the heat sink, peel away the
plastic backing that covers the adhesive.
3. Press the heat sink down firmly and directly onto the
chip. Hold the pressure for a few seconds to allow
the adhesive to work.
If you buy heat sinks for your Pi, only use the thermal adhesive
that they arrive with; never use any other type of adhesive or
sticky plastic to install a heat sink on a Raspberry Pi. The adhesive