CPU/Mobo How do I remove the heatsink from the processor?

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kvikram

kvikram

Forerunner
Due to a noisy heatsink at full load and during gaming, I am planning to re-TIM the processor. I have done some research online on how to remove the heatsink and they say you have to be very, very careful to not pull off the processor along with the heatsink. It makes me so scared to proceed with the process. :unsure:

Can you TE gurus please share some personal experience/tips on how to accomplish this? :)
 
It is not a big deal. Just unscrew the thumbscrew, see the processor's user manual if you are not sure about it. If you dont have one it is also available online. Then just pull the heat sink out, no monster strength required.
The processor is held in place by a clip, so pulling the heat sink out does rip out the proccy.
Before you reTIM make sure both the contact surfaces, ie of the processor's and the heat sink's are clean, lint free and shinny. Use Iso Propl Alcohol (IPA) if you have for cleaning
 
After removing the heatsink, remove the heatsink fan and clean it properly too. The fan accumulates dust and becomes noisy.
 
Yah! it's not very hard work, the heat sink is not very sticky with the processor. Just pull it slowly and steadily, And it will come out easily without harming your processor. I do it in my PC and also in my tow of friends PC.
Best of luck.
 
Twist, not pull, is the best way to remove a heatsink from a pinned processor - AMD and the older socket 478 et al types. LGA CPUs are far easier as the heatsink always has a convex mating surface unlike AMD stock HSFs that are perfectly flat and tend to 'stick'. Also, as mentioned the Intel CPUs are held in by a separate bracket.

However note that the heatspreaders and heatsinks tend to form a pretty good joint if the compound is still in good condition. For stuff like this, you can never be too careful so a bit of a twisting action releases the surface tension and makes the actual pulling far easier.
 
The AMD processors on my older machine and a friend's came out stuck with the heatsink since i pulled instead of twisting it first. This could have damaged the pins of processors (in case of AMDs) but thankfully nothing happened. I was stupid enough to do the same twice but since then have resorted to twisting first.

Also make sure to clean the accumulated dust from both the HS fins and the fan. And a couple of drops of sewing machine oil could help with lessening the high noise your HS fan is making.
 
Its not a big problem usually these don't come out with the heat sink. They actually have a separate safety lock to remove the processor, So the processor wont come out till you have unlocked your safety lock and there are different screws to take out heat sink. Just follow your motherboard manual for detailed instructions.Its clearly described there how to remove heat sinks. If you don't have the manual you can search for it on the manufacturer's website or google it. Although its true that removal of processor is limited to a specific no of times by intel or AMD cause it may damage the mobo pins
 
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