Heatsink/fan help

[GreatBarracuda]

I want to clean the heatsink of my cpu because there's a lot of dust in there. But i can't take the heatsink out (i didn't assemble the comp). First i unclipped the two clips at the top, then it becomes a bit loose but there's still something holding down the heatsink/fan.

Anyone got any ideas on how to take out the cpu heatsink/fan safely on a P4P800 Deluxe Motherboard?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Harvey]

Can you just remove the fan by unscrewing it from the heatsink, instead?

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: Harvey
Can you just remove the fan by unscrewing it from the heatsink, instead?

That and a can of compressed air will go a long way...

 

[MDE]

Try to twist the heatsink a bit and see if it comes off.

 

[Shimmishim]

i'm surprised no one has asked what hsf this is... hehehe...

that'd prolly help..

 

[Tom]

Sounds like a P4 HSF retaining mechanism maybe. If so when you release the two levers at the top you need to spread the plastic arms apart a little bit to get them to release from the bottom bracket.

But unless you've been using this computer while racing in the BAJA 1000 I don't think its a good idea to take it off just to clean out some dust. Just use some compressed air or better yet, forget about it.

 

[Soggysocks]

Originally posted by: GreatBarracuda
I want to clean the heatsink of my cpu because there's a lot of dust in there. But i can't take the heatsink out (i didn't assemble the comp). First i unclipped the two clips at the top, then it becomes a bit loose but there's still something holding down the heatsink/fan. Anyone got any ideas on how to take out the cpu heatsink/fan safely on a P4P800 Deluxe Motherboard? Thanks in advance.

If this is an OEM Intel hsf then it is a bit tricky to get out. :disgust: But before you do that....

order a Zalman CNPS7000A-Cu ....Is under $50 ...pure copper....and cools superb.

Before I installed mine....The OEM cooled my P4 2.4 to 49C....Oc'd to 2.7. After Installed ....it went to 35C...........then I OC'd itto 2.8 and only went to 38C. It's much easier to take out for cleaning ...but is easier to clean while installed.

FYI

 

[GreatBarracuda]

Well, the reason I wanted to clean the heatsink is because the cpu fan is going pretty crazy trying to keep the temperature low with all this dust (apparently dust particles trap heat inside the heatsink). Before it used to be like 3900 rpm at 41C, now it's always around 5800 rpm at 41C. That's a pretty big jump.

The fan/retaining mechanism came with the intel processor. They seem to be joined together and i don't see any screws anywhere. I am not even sure i would be able to separate the fan from the heatsink after I remove it. I have yet to try your method though (hope i don't break anything pulling and tugging at this thing). If it doesn't work, i'll just use the compressed air can.

By the way, when i signed up on this forum yesterday, i created a profile for a "rig". How can other users see those specs or how can I see theirs?