Removing Pentium 4 processor

  • Thread starter Thread starter Camel
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Camel

Hi there,

I can loosen the 4 heatsink clips but the processor seems to be stuck
to the heatsink.

I need to get it out because the fins are covered in dust and need a
clean.

How do I loosen it?

And will I need more thermal paste or something to put it back?

TIA
________

Regards,
Camel
________

"It is not anti-Semitic to criticize the policies of the state of Israel." -- Colin Powell

Instead of getting married, I'm going to go out and give a woman a house.
 
Hi there,

I can loosen the 4 heatsink clips but the processor seems to be stuck
to the heatsink.

I need to get it out because the fins are covered in dust and need a
clean.

How do I loosen it?
Click to expand...

Re-attach the clips and run the system for a minute or two. If it's
the thermal pad compound that's holding it in place, this will heat it
up make it a little easier to remove. Of course, it's also possible
that you've missed a clip somewhere, or the CPU is permabonded to the
heatsink (though I haven't seen that done in a few years).
And will I need more thermal paste or something to put it back?

Regards,
Camel
Click to expand...

Yes, but clean off the old thermal pad or paste material first.
 
Hi there,

I can loosen the 4 heatsink clips but the processor seems to be stuck
to the heatsink.

I need to get it out because the fins are covered in dust and need a
clean.

How do I loosen it?

And will I need more thermal paste or something to put it back?
Click to expand...

If the CPU was running cool enough before heatsink accumulated all that
dust, it would be sufficient (and much easier) to just take a
long-bristled paintbrush and can of compressed air to remove dust with
heatsink still installed (but fan removed) instead of removing it. The
result will not be as spotless as washing with detergent & water but it
need not be spotless, it'll just get dusty again either way once you power
up again.

As others have mentioned, run system to heat it up if you must remove it,
but then you need to remove that original TIM (bubblegum material) with
soft scraping tool (credit card) and clean off residue with a
petroleum-based solvent, and apply fresh thin coat of new thermal
compound... a lot of unnecessary work when you can just dust it off while
still installed.
 
If the CPU was running cool enough before heatsink accumulated all that
dust, it would be sufficient (and much easier) to just take a
long-bristled paintbrush and can of compressed air to remove dust with
heatsink still installed (but fan removed) instead of removing it. The
result will not be as spotless as washing with detergent & water but it
need not be spotless, it'll just get dusty again either way once you power
up again.

As others have mentioned, run system to heat it up if you must remove it,
but then you need to remove that original TIM (bubblegum material) with
soft scraping tool (credit card) and clean off residue with a
petroleum-based solvent, and apply fresh thin coat of new thermal
compound... a lot of unnecessary work when you can just dust it off while
still installed.
Click to expand...


Thanks all,

I think I shall just send this to the place that assembled it.

I can't help thinking, though, what a bad design this is.

I can't even remove the fan, and I've been mucking with computers
since the Sinclair XZ80.

Anyway. I have to do something cos the processor is regularly hitting
80 degrees Celsius under heavy load.

Thanx again.


________

Regards,
Camel
________

"It is not anti-Semitic to criticize the policies of the state of Israel." -- Colin Powell

Instead of getting married, I'm going to go out and give a woman a house.
 
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