Trying to remove a stock P4 heatsink.

[Mears]

I'm trying to remove a heatsink from a P4 that is on the Intel Board D850EMV2. The heatsink that the two three way retention clips and I removed those. However, it still will not come off. It has the plastic retention mechanisms that the clips lock onto, but it doesn't appear to me that the heatsink is in any way locked in by them. It's on there pretty tight with not a lot of give so it makes me believe that there it isn't just a thermal pad or thermal glue holding it down. Any suggestions? I can't open the socket because the handle is blocked by the heatsink.

 

[TROGDORdBURNINATOR]

It's a seriously flawed design. The stock TIM pad holds the P4 so tight that it's not uncommon to see people rip the P4 right out of the locked socket with the heatsink and take some pins along with it.
Good luck.

 

[Mears]

So it is JUST a thermal pad holding it down and has nothing to do with the retention mechanisms? This is a work computer so I want to be absolutely sure before I go to town on it.

Any suggestions on how to remove it w/o causing any damage?

 

[TROGDORdBURNINATOR]

Of course, those four clips that you mentioned earlier will have to be undone but they're likely not holding it down right now. The TIM pad is just fused really tight. I guess you could try running prime 95 to get it really hot and then quickly pulling the heatsink off after shutting down. Hopefully the heat will weaken its bond.

 

[TROGDORdBURNINATOR]

Also, remember to pull straight up. It's the ones who try to pull one side off first that bend or break pins.

 

[0roo0roo]

that or freeze it

 

[Mears]

Well the computer won't boot, so running it isn't an option. Whate are the four mechanisms? I only removed the rention clips. I didn't undo the plastic retention mechanisms that are connected to the motherboard.

Edit: I pulled up with quite a bit of force, but all it resulted in was the board flexing.

 

[TROGDORdBURNINATOR]

okay, in adition to the two levers there are four clips that need to be undone. Then there's the TIM material to deal with. The TIM will give way before the clips will need to be undone.

 

[Mears]

Got it with two pair of pliers. Thank god it didn't break anything.