how do I remove my CPU heatsink?

[sathyan]

I want to upgrade my stock heatsink/fan to something quieter. This is the HSF which came with AMD Athlon II x3 435 (2.9GHz). I have it mounted on a Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P (http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3010#ov). I've unfastened the HSF retention clip but as it has adhered to the CPU cannot just pull. And the HSF is blocking my access to the lever which locks in the CPU.

How do I remove the HSF without breaking something?

thanks,
Sathyan

 

[dawp]

try twisting the heatsink. It might help to heat it up some

 

[deimos3428]

It's harder to apply/control the force required while working in the confines of a case. I usually take the whole mobo out so I can apply more torque in a controlled fashion.

That said, use far more care than force. Twisting/sliding helps. Patience helps. Swearing helps. It'll come off eventually.

 

[sathyan]

Once, I removed the the mobo from the case and got the RAM out of the way, the HSF came off easily. Thanks for the help.

 

[stargazr]

Did you try removing it right after leaving your computer run for awhile?

 

[aigomorla]

1. Turn off your cpu fan. Its OK if its off for a few minutes.
2. Turn on PC, but go straight to bios.
3. Let bios on for like 20 seconds.
4. Turn system off, and then twist sink off.

The thing is your paste was allowed to cool down, so its acting like cement.
By putting your system into bios, it will quickly apply load on the cpu, so it will heat up cement.

The cement then becomes viscous, so you can twist the sink and pull the sink off.