Scary Stuff - Warning to all A64 - 939 users

[evilharp]

I have an A64 X2 4200, and the stock cooler was driving me nuts (I don't know where people get the idea that it is quiet, the fan is loud). So, I decided to upgrade to a better cooler.

I haven't used a stock cooler since my old (4 systems ago) XP2000. I usually build with AS5 and a good quiet aftermarket cooling setup. AS5 goes on and comes off easily (and cleanly), so I have no reason to downgrade to anything else. So, being accustomed to AS5, I proceeded to remove the stock cooler (the new AMD heatpipe version) and to my ABSOLUTE HORROR, the chip was ripped out of the socket as the cooler tension spring relaxed. The socket was still locked at the time, so I am amazed that the chip came out. I had to use a knife to remove the chip from the cooler.

Luckily, only one pin out of 939 was bent, and I was able to use the chip without problems.

So, if you are running an A64 with the stock cooler, and you decide to remove it, watch out.

By the way, I did warm the chip up first (using prime95) to help "loosen" the TIM material. Apparently, this old school trick doesn't work so well anymore.

 

[chinkgai]

old news. do a search, you'll find reports of the same ever since socket 754

 

[CheesePoofs]

Same thing happens to all chips, my friend's P4 did it. What you have to do is just twist the heatsink a little bit each way before you remove it, to break the bond between the heatsink the chip.

 

[Nocturnal]

Would it be wise to twist the heatsink a little prior to removing the heatsink?

 

[phaxmohdem]

Yes I concur, twisting first on any CPU with a heatspreader is a MUST. Case closed.

 

[DivideBYZero]

TIM is teh debil anyway.

 

[dev0lution]

it's happened on old P4's of mine too. Wiggle/Twist it back and forth till the seal breaks and then pull.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
TIM is teh debil anyway.

TIM refers to ALL compounds used to fill air gaps between the processor and heatsink, not just the pads you're thinking of. So, no, TIM is not the "debil." It's necessary.

 

[superfly27]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
TIM is teh debil anyway.

debil is stupid in French for those who don't know.

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: superfly27

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
TIM is teh debil anyway.

debil is stupid in French for those who don't know.

no the french word for stupid is Stupide.

 

[slagment]

Happen to me with my 754, only the chip then fell off and hit my computer desk. I spent 1/2 hour bending back 377 pins back.

 

[JEDIYoda]

hehehee.......Live and learn I guess!!

 

[SynthDude2001]

A friend of mine did this to his P4 a while back too...ripped the chip right out of the socket. I had to bend a few pins back for him.

 

[niranjan162]

yea i just had to remove the old heatsink today took alot of twisting and i got it off. However half the thermal pad was still on the chip, but it did not come outta the socket. I was using a 3000+ maybe its different with x2's

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Originally posted by: slagment
Happen to me with my 754, only the chip then fell off and hit my computer desk. I spent 1/2 hour bending back 377 pins back.

:shocked:
At least you got it working!

 

[Duvie]

Happened to me once on my P4 and only afetr I ran out of AS2 and had to start using that crappy peanut butter known as AS5...Happened only once....I know gentely twist untii I feel the seal break and then and only then lift up gently....

 

[skriefal]

I've had that happen with several chips over the years, including a P4 and at least one AMD K6. It's certainly not a new occurrence with Athlon 64s.

 

[linjy2]

i thought the 939 has that black retention bracket? so how would you twist it. the thing sits perfectly flushed in there.

 

[fatty4ksu]

This happens alot with the 939's mostly.

 

[Canterwood]

Originally posted by: fatty4ksu
This happens alot with the 939's mostly.

Lol, stupid troll!

Actually this happened to me with a Nocona Xeon just the other week.

The heatsinks are huge and heavy and held on by actually screwing it into the case. (Similar to 423 P4)
Even twisting (which was very limited due to the motherboard components and being in the case) didn't help, and the cpu came out attached to the heatsink!

Thankfully no damage, but it just shows it still happens to Intel socket 604 too.

 

[deanx0r]

Originally posted by: Budman

Originally posted by: superfly27

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
TIM is teh debil anyway.

debil is stupid in French for those who don't know.

no the french word for stupid is Stupide.

the better translation of 'débile' would be 'retard'

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: slagment
Happen to me with my 754, only the chip then fell off and hit my computer desk. I spent 1/2 hour bending back 377 pins back.

:shocked:

And you got them all back? Wow.

 

[yourdeardaniel]

oh this sucks
i have to do this monday : (
not looking forward to doing this.
hope this sh|t comes off easy. $400 cpu on the line.

 

[ayabe]

Happened to me on my 3200+ Winnie, it's not really a good feeling but there was no damage. Just wiggle it as best you can and close your eyes.

 

[batmanuel]

This is one of the few reasons I kind of like the LGA775 CPU mounting mechanism, where you have the metal plate the holds down the CPU so it isn't going anywhere when you detach the HSF unit. Hopefully, socket M will have something similar to keep the CPU in place more firmly than the ZIF sockets do.