Removing heatsink

[Aero]

Is it a good idea to remove a heatsink after it's been installed? Will the heatsink be affected if it's removed? Is there a way to remove it and also preserve the heatsink like it was oringinally so nothing is wrong?

 

[Shooters]

I've taken my heatsink off many times; it's nothing to be worried about. However, I do recommend that every time you do take it off that you clean the old goop off the heatsink and cpu and apply a fresh layer of Arctic Silver II or whatever compound you use before reinstalling the heatsink.

 

[Aero]

I lost the sticker that covers the thermal material under the heatsink. What should I cover it with, or does it matter if it's not covered?

 

[HawkeyeColt]

Once you remove the heatsink the thermal tape is no longer good. Parts off the tape stays on the slug. Just clean the tape off and next time you use that heatsink apply a good compound like artic silver.

 

[m2super]

When you remove the hsf remove the frag tape and put some arctic silver on.

 

[Aero]

Wait, let me get something clear. Do you need to put Arctic Silver on it when it's first installed? Secondly, after it's installed and then it's removed, you should scratch off the thermal material on the bottom and place Arctic Silver on it?

 

[Aero]

Bump

 

[DonNiggera]

You don't NEED artic silver or any thermal pad, it just lowers your temperature a considerable amount...

If you have already installed the HSF with a thermal pad on the bottom, try your absolute best to clean every bit of it off the HSF, use rubbing alchohol too. Then apply a small dab of artic silver to the processor, and simply lay the HSF over it!

 

[Aero]

Okay gotcha. I apply the Arctic Silver on just the core, correct?

 

[uberdingo]

Check this site - best directions I have seen
articsilver application instructions

The hard part I am running into is getting all of the old thermal pad off the top of my cpu core. You can't really do a lot of scrapping on that. Just so you understand - the point of the thermal paste or pads is to make as tight and airless a connection between the heatsink and cpu core as possible for maximum heat transfer. Anything that interferes with that will make your hsf much less effective.

 

[Zepper]

Use lighter fluid (naphtha,zippo/ronson type) on a q-tip to remove old pad gorp after scraping off as much as you can and be careful not to gouge the metal. Follow with an alcohol rinse--clean as a whistle. Alcohol by itself barely touches those blinkin pads. Some mention nail polish remover (acetone)--I say don't even think about it!
.bh.