Hi Birdman...!
Lets hope you have correctly applied the heat sink compound to the processor before fitting the heat sink...?
Some AMD processors have a small square heat sink compound patch stuck to the top of the processor....it is VITAL that the protective plastic top layer of the patch is PEELED OFF before fitting the heat sink.
The other method is using a squeeze tube of heat sink compound to apply a SMALL, THIN amount just to the area of the chip in the centre of the processor.
Failure to obtain a good contact between the AMD processor and the heat sink will destroy the Processor in SECONDS...!
congo mentioned the instructions supplied by AMD for fitting heat sinks to their processors...well worth a read...

...!
Cheers...
Paul.
P.S. Re: fitting the clip which need LOTS of pressure, I have a hefty handled screwdriver fitted with a small flat blade which fits EXACTLY in the slot in the clip....if the screwdriver slips...as congo says...motherboard totalled...

Win 8.1 64-bit. DX11. Advent Tower. Intel i7-3770 3.9 GHz 8-core. 8 GB System RAM. AMD Radeon HD 7700 1GB RAM. DVD ROM. 2 Terra Byte SATA Hard Drive. Philips 17" LCD Monitor. Saitek Cyborg X Fly-5 Joystick. ...and a Briggs and Stratton Petrol Lawn Mower.