Thread: CPU stuck to heatsink

  1. #1
    The Right Honourable psychopath's Avatar
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    CPU stuck to heatsink

    I'm doing some upgrades on one of my computers, which requires me to replace the motherboard. When I took the heatsink out, the processor came with it, stuck to the bottom.

    First question: is this normal?
    Second question: how do I get it off (i'm afraid of damaging it)?
    Third question: when I get it off, do I need to apply fresh thermal paste?

    Pretty simple, but I haven't run into this before.

    Thanks.
    M.Eng Computer Engineering Candidate
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  2. #2
    pwns nooblars
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    Happens to me now and then, I just take the tip of a plastic butter knife and pop it off... and you probably don't need to replace the thermal paste, as long as it is still paste and not all dried up.

    Edit: It feels like it is a suction hold when you try and pop it off, nothing to worry about other than it pulled out of the motherboard without releasing the lock.

  3. #3
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
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    If the pins aren't damaged now, you probably won't damage the CPU by separating it from the heat sink. Happens to me all the time.
    All the buzzt!
    CornedBee

    "There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
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  4. #4
    The Right Honourable psychopath's Avatar
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    I wasn't able to check back for replies (the board appeared to have gone down for a while), so I got it off by twisting the CPU. Came off very easily.

    Anyway, I've got it in the new motherboard and everything works fine . Aside from the fact that Windows blew up after the mobo change, that is.

    Thanks all!
    M.Eng Computer Engineering Candidate
    B.Sc Computer Science

    Robotics and graphics enthusiast.

  5. #5
    Guest Sebastiani's Avatar
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    Exclamation

    actually, removing the heat sink can hurt the chip, if done incorrectly. peeling and pulling creates friction which generates electrical currents, which can destroy components. so always do so with care and while grounded (to earth). another method is to use a solvent such as brake cleaner or citrus-based oils to break down the glue.
    Code:
    #include <cmath>
    #include <complex>
    bool euler_flip(bool value)
    {
        return std::pow
        (
            std::complex<float>(std::exp(1.0)), 
            std::complex<float>(0, 1) 
            * std::complex<float>(std::atan(1.0)
            *(1 << (value + 2)))
        ).real() < 0;
    }

  6. #6
    Registered User Frobozz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by psychopath
    Aside from the fact that Windows blew up after the mobo change, that is.
    Hehe. Something similar for me too when I switched my motherboard and processor. I had to reinstall virtually all the drivers - even those not related to the components.

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