Thermal Adhesive Problem

[SnoopSanders]

So I open up my dell (Yes unfortunately I have a dell) and I found my processor is attatched to the heatsink with thermal adhesive. What is a good way to take it off and clean it? Because the processor is on their really good and it won't budge.

 

[kesava8@hotmail.]

I wouldnt suggest messing around with the cpu. Why do you need to clean it?

 

[SnoopSanders]

I don't need to clean it. But I ended up taking the heatsink out with the processor and they are stuck together and I can't put the processor back in because of the adhesive attatching the the cpu to the heatsink and the heatsink is preventing me to put the cpu in. It's a little hard to explain but all you need to know is that I have to take it off to be able to put the processor back in. So what do I do?

 

[Cromewell]

Acetone is the best way to get it off. Since you have them both out it should be fairly easy.

 

[kirby001]

i took my processor off one with the heat sink, and i was able to put it back into the processor slot and then twist it off, if u can't get it back in, then i would suggest carefully grabing the edge of the silicon chip, but don't pull down, cause it probaly won't come off, just try twisting it back and forth, pulling it off to the side of the heatsink. hopes this works

 

[kesava8@hotmail.]

Whatever you do, dont force the cpu. they're very easy to damage

 

[SnoopSanders]

Thanks for all the replies. I was able to take the processor off by just turning it with a little force. Now I plan to clean the stuff off with some Acetone and get some thermal paste and use this for the heatsink. Is the thermal paste going to stick to the processor like it did with this adhesive?

 

[PabloTeK]

Use nail polish remover or an alcohol-based substance and make sure the heatsink and CPU are completely clean using a lint-free cloth. The CPU will just drop into place if it's correctly seated.

To re-apply the thermal paste you only need a tinty amount, a splodge the size of a rice grain will do. After you've applied it to the heatsink spread it around evenly and thinly, make sure it covers the CPU. A good thermal paste helps and in the correct amounts it works wonders, for example, mine runs at an idle of 25 celsius with Speeze and stock cooling. I re-applied it today as a very thin layer and it dropped massively. Although PC Wizrd 2007 seems to have got the CPU and system temps mixed up. Ah well, back to EasyTune 5 then.