Q6600 and stock heatsink fused together

[sharpnova]

I'm currently using a Q6600 cpu on an nForce 680i SLI mainboard. My current cooling solution is the stock fan that came with the cpu. Lately I'm idling around 75-80 C. I'm guessing this is way too high and I'm guessing it is due to dust or something in the fan. I tried opening up my box and blowing out the dust but it only lowered the temperature from a solid 80 to a variable 75-80 range.

I knew the stock fan wasn't that great when I installed it. What I didn't know was that the thermal grease was in fact a thermal adhesive.

I'm trying to upgrade to a much more powerful fan but am unable to remove the heatsink from the cpu. I don't want to force it for fear of damaging the cpu or motherboard.

Is there a simple method to seperate the heatsink from the cpu without damaging anything? I'm afraid to run a blow dryer on the heatsink as it might heat the cpu up too much or damage the motherboard. Could it?

Also, why the heck is my computer running so hot? When I get all four cores to a 100% load, the computer shuts off in self defense after 15 minutes or so. The temperature just gets ridiculous up to the 100C range.

 

[AmberClad]

The stock thermal grease that comes preapplied is definitely not thermal epoxy. It really shouldn't be that hard to twist the CPU off the heatsink.

As for why it was running so hot, you most likely didn't install the heatsink properly (not all four pins were secure).

 

[Ike0069]

I had the same issue with my old A64 system. When the CPU cools, sometimes the TIM becomes tacky and adheres it to the HS. Let the CPU get hot, then shut down and remove the HS fairly quickly.

 

[Cogman]

Don't pull it straight back either, rather slide it a little, you could pull the entire socket out if you just go straight back.

The other trick to getting these things off is to put your motherboard in a refrigerator/freezer. The should make the thermal pad pretty brittle.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

use a hairdryer to heat up and soften the thermal paste. works like a charm

 

[EarthBoy]

I just removed the stock HSF on my Q6600, it basically came right off. If your having this much trouble, you are probably doing it wrong. Are you sure all 4 pins came off?

 

[aigomorla]

pull the fan power plug off.

turn on system and goto straight into bios

let system sit in bios for about 15 sec.

turn system off.

twist sink and pull off.

 

[OCGuy]

If you are idling @ 80C it seems you would be throttling down or shutting off during load....unless i'm way off here.

Edit: Bdubyah is right, fail for me for not reading the whole OP

 

[bdubyah]

it does. he said when he loaded all 4 cores it shut off on him.

 

[sharpnova]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
The stock thermal grease that comes preapplied is definitely not thermal epoxy. It really shouldn't be that hard to twist the CPU off the heatsink.

As for why it was running so hot, you most likely didn't install the heatsink properly (not all four pins were secure).

I'm almost 100% sure I applied the heatsink properly. I followed the instructions very carefully and all four pins snapped in very audibly.

After twisting the pins loose, when I try to wiggle or move the heatsink.. it's as if the heatsink and the cpu/motherboard are one solid piece. There isn't even the tiniest sense of "give"

How dangerous would it be to just run my cpu in bios mode without the fan running. would there be any risk of damage to cpu?

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: sharpnova
I'm almost 100% sure I applied the heatsink properly. I followed the instructions very carefully and all four pins snapped in very audibly.

Did you install the heatsink with the motherboard installed in the case? If so, you didn't install it properly. It takes about 20-30 pounds of force to seat each pin (okay, just the last three) on the first install. To keep from damaging your motherboard, you have to put one hand behind the socket, while you seat each pin.

If you want to check whether it's attached properly, remove the motherboard from the case, and check to see how many of the black pins are completely seated, where they protrude about 1/8 inch past the end of the white plastic section. With 80C idle, I'm guessing you most likely only have one seated completely.

After twisting the pins loose, when I try to wiggle or move the heatsink.. it's as if the heatsink and the cpu/motherboard are one solid piece. There isn't even the tiniest sense of "give"

Were you pulling each "leg" (for lack of a better word) upward, after twisting it?

How dangerous would it be to just run my cpu in bios mode without the fan running. would there be any risk of damage to cpu?

Not much, it will just shut itself down the same way it was doing with the fan running, only much sooner.