Help: processor stuck to heatsink.

[rameshms]

Help me... I'm trying to replace the noisy retail heatlink+fan on my athlon X2 3800+ processor. When I took it off, the processor is stuck to the heatsink. I tried prying it off using a flat screwdriver. But it is stuck quite well. Any suggestions on removing it without damaging the heatsink and more importantly the processor ?

Thanks in advance...

 

[LittleNemoNES]

run something that will stress your processor
then to remove, twist sideways instead of straight out.

if you have it out already, blow dry it and then twist off

 

[rameshms]

It was stuck so badly, the processor came out of the socket stuck with the heatsink without even having to remove the CPU release lever.. I'll try twising it.. I'm just scared what if the processor base comes off with the square top stuck to the heat sink..

 

[Aluvus]

Try directing a blow dryer at the heatsink for a moment to warm it up and soften the thermal paste, then gently twisting the processor loose.

 

[Puffnstuff]

You have to be careful because you can bend the pins pulling it out of the socket like that without first releasing the lever. As for separating the hsf from the cpu use some dental floss or a hobby knife and gently work your way between the two surfaces until they separate. Use a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol to clean the mess off the cpu and the hsf. I'd suggest that you get some arctic silver thermal compound if you don't already have some and place a grain of rice sized dab of it on the cpu before you remount the hsf. I'm going to have to do the same thing as I have an order for some as5 and I can't find what I've already got. I'm going to mount a stock intel hsf onto my e6400 using whatever they put on it, probably a thermal pad, until I get my as5 in so I'll have to do a clean up myself.

 

[Cookie Monster]

LOL, i feel sorry for you because when i was a newb, i went through the exact same situation and it gave me some bad feeling ill never forget.

So just like you, i wanted to clean the dust off the HSF and decided to take it off. But it seemed like the HS was stuck to the CPU or something until i pulled it out. "where is the CPU?!?!" was the first thought after looking at the lonely socket without the cpu. God this gave me some frights, but later i realized it was stuck to the HS.

Ok, here is the tip. Warm up the HS with a hair dryer or something. Then start turning the cpu, twist it til it comes off. Buy some vodka or arctic clean 1&2 to get rid of the thermal compound and purify the surface. Grab some new thermal compound (maybe arctic silver 5) spread if over the cpu (make sure u install it on the socket first) then put back your HSF. Not too much though, a thin layer of thermal compound should be enough.

Note that the cpu is not damaged unless youve bent the pins badly. I did bent 2 pins, but i bent it back to original position (with my 1337 skillz of course) and its still going strong even after more 2 years of use

Good ol times.