Removing CPU from heatsink?

edm

Senior member
Mar 7, 2000
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I was removing my cpu and heatsink from my motherboard, (A64 939 with stock heatsink) and in the process of removing the heatsink, it pulled the cpu right out of it's socket with it. Luckily there doesn't seem to be any damage to the pins or cpu, but it's on there pretty damn tight. Any tips, tricks to remove it, so I don't completely damage the cpu?

Thanks
 

eelw

Lifer
Dec 4, 1999
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You need to rotate it side to side to get it off. And in the future, have the CPU running at full load to warm up the thermal paste to make it easier for the HSF to come off. Also don't use so much paste from now on.
 

edm

Senior member
Mar 7, 2000
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Sorry, this wasn't paste. It was the thermal pad that came with the retail kit, installed on the heatsink.
 

hennethannun

Senior member
Jun 25, 2005
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yeah, I have seen that happen, especially with the stock AMD thermal pad because they put so much on there.

If things are really sticky you DO NOT want to twist very much. it will loosen the thermal paste, but it also puts lateral forces on your CPU, which is how pins get bent. the best thing to do is (as someone else said) put some load on the cpu (if possible) to warm paste (although hopefully not enough to burn you.

the best thing to do is just be patient and apply force very gently. It is better to take 15 minutes getting the heatsink off, rather than risk bending pins or damaging your CPU.

Edited to correct my horrible typing
 

edm

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Mar 7, 2000
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I will definitely put some load on the cpu before hand in the future.

I've been doing some searching and kind of like this idea boil method (about half way down the page :D

on a serious note, a few people in that thread mentioned using a blow dryer. Seems like it would be safe enough, has anyone ever tried this? (the hair dryer.. not the boiling water :p)
 

PCNerdDude

Member
Dec 12, 2004
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i have tried the hair dryer method. it worked for me (had to remove my processor from a Dell Heatsink). I would guess it would vary based on the heatsink.
 

WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
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Blow dryer will work. I've used it to remove the heatsinks on video cards before. Remember to twist when removing the heatsink from the CPU.
 

edm

Senior member
Mar 7, 2000
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OK, thanks all. a tiny bit of twisting did the trick and it came lose very easily. Didn't even use a blow dryer. I wish I would've twisted it a bit before removing from the motherboard though. Oh well, live and learn :)
 

Markbnj

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Sep 16, 2005
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Originally posted by: edm
I will definitely put some load on the cpu before hand in the future.

I've been doing some searching and kind of like this idea boil method (about half way down the page :D

on a serious note, a few people in that thread mentioned using a blow dryer. Seems like it would be safe enough, has anyone ever tried this? (the hair dryer.. not the boiling water :p)

Looks like with that method he first had to yank the whole thing out of the socket, and since you usually can't release the socket with the HSF on...