Can a stock Intel cooler be removed and reinstalled?

JohnJSal

JohnJSal

Active Member
Just want to be sure. I'm thinking of cleaning up the CPU and heatsink and reapplying thermal paste, since it's almost 5 years old (or does it not really need to be "refreshed" like this?).

Thanks.
 
It is good to install new thermal paste every few years. Clean the old stuff off with rubbing alcohol and reapply some good paste, such as Arctic Silver 5.
 
voyagerfan99 said:
It is good to install new thermal paste every few years. Clean the old stuff off with rubbing alcohol and reapply some good paste, such as Arctic Silver 5.
Click to expand...

Oh that reminds me. I have some Arctic Silver, also from five years ago. Is it still good?

Edit: And just to be clear, the stock cooler WILL reinstall once you've taken it out? Just not sure how those pins work.
 
JohnJSal said:
Just want to be sure. I'm thinking of cleaning up the CPU and heatsink and reapplying thermal paste, since it's almost 5 years old (or does it not really need to be "refreshed" like this?).

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes you can, just draw with the four screws until you can't draw anymore. Then pull the screws after eachother out of your mobo, then you should be able to lift off.
To bring it back on, just do it the other way.
 
SmileMan said:
Yes you can, just draw with the four screws until you can't draw anymore. Then pull the screws after eachother out of your mobo, then you should be able to lift off.
To bring it back on, just do it the other way.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I understand your instructions. What do you mean by "draw with the four screws"? I know I'm supposed to turn the pins a certain direction, and I think that will release them from the board. Is that what you mean?
 
Twist the four screws so the arrows are facing the heatsink. Then just pull the pins up, and twist the heatsink off the CPU. To reinstall, twist the pins so the rear end of the arrow is facing the heatsink and pull the pins up to be sure the lock isn't in place. Then push the pins in the holes.

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-032258.htm
 
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