How long does it take the CPU to cool down when PC off?

[symbol]

I read somewhere on this forum, the CPU reaches high temperatures in 10 seconds and without a heatsink attached, could explode. After I power off the computer, how long do I have to wait for the processor to cool down before safely removing the heatsink from the CPU?

 

[John]

1-2 min. is more than enough.

 

[MisterChief]

A system cools off pretty quickly, depending on case and cooling arangement. I would wait at most 15 minutes. Heat disapates quickly from the metal heatsink.

 

[symbol]

Originally posted by: MisterChief
A system cools off pretty quickly, depending on case and cooling arangement. I would wait at most 15 minutes. Heat disapates quickly from the metal heatsink.

A related question: Let's assume I install the CPU and properly mount the heatsink, but the fan attached to the heatsink doesn't work for whatever reason. Could this cause the CPU to explode? I'm confused as to what primarily prevents the CPU from exceeding immediate, dangerous heat levels: the heatsink & thermal pad/grease or the fan?

 

[BentValve]

Seconds.

 

[MisterChief]

The fan blows cool air into the grooves of the heatsink; hence the term air cooling. The air removes the heat from the heatsink. The thermal pad acts as a transfer for heat from the CPU to the heatsink, so it is important. But, a CPU won't explode just because the fan quit. First of all, you may be able to hear whether the fan is turning or not. Second, if the fan fails, and you boot the computer, the computer will reset after a few minutes. If you leave it powered up for a long time, however, the CPU will burn out.

Usually, a CPU will not just "explode", unless "overclocked to ze extremz". A CPU without a HSF will merely burn out, literally. The ciruits in a CPU are so tightly packed, there is no room for the heat created by electricity to escape.

 

[Lonyo]

Err, TBH, it doesn't matter when the CPU is off.
If it's off, it's not producing any more heat, and the only danger from removing the heatsink will be to your fingers. The CPU cannot get any hotter than it already is, and the heatsink just helps dissipate the existing heat, basically all that will happen is the CPU will only slowly cool down if you remove the heatsink.

If the processor is funning, well, it will fry in seconds. Tomehardware has videos of this occuring.

 

[UsandThem]

I was always under the impression that is was better to remove your heatsink right after you shut it down. The paste or thermal paste is not as sticky and there is less risk of yanking the CPU out of the ZIF socket and maybe leaving a few pins behind.

 

[symbol]

Originally posted by: UsandThem
I was always under the impression that is was better to remove your heatsink right after you shut it down. The paste or thermal paste is not as sticky and there is less risk of yanking the CPU out of the ZIF socket and maybe leaving a few pins behind.

I read it's best to remove the heatsink by twisting it clockwise & counter-clockwise instead of lifting if off the CPU.

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: symbol

Originally posted by: UsandThem
I was always under the impression that is was better to remove your heatsink right after you shut it down. The paste or thermal paste is not as sticky and there is less risk of yanking the CPU out of the ZIF socket and maybe leaving a few pins behind.

I read it's best to remove the heatsink by twisting it clockwise & counter-clockwise instead of lifting if off the CPU.

Even then, it sometimes is hard to get off.

 

[sharkeeper]

Hehehe.

This reminds me of something I was working on and it really went wrong.

And then there were none.