Swapping OEM cooler for HSF

Relentless81 · 21 Oct 2010 at 10:27

I've just ordered a new HSF for my CPU and even though i've done this before i'm a little nervous about the process of swapping it over as I only built the whole system a few months ago so I have one or two things I want to double check please

When removing the OEM cooler from the CPU whats the best way to do it IE is it better to heat it up with a hair dryer? Twist it or just pull it away?

I've ordered some ArctiClean to remove the OEM paste, whats the best method of cleaning the surface with this stuff it doesnt seem to come with anything?

Also the classic question, the HSF instructions say to spread their supplied paste evenly over the processor, however i'm not using their paste i've ordered some Arctic MX-4 after reading the recent thread (thanks for posting) any tips on how to apply, smooth it out? Grain of rice? etc etc

Thanks

dcsarge · 21 Oct 2010 at 16:27

Twist and pull usually works well and I just use some decent kitchen paper followed by a lint free cloth for cleaning. Try to avoid soaking the paper and use a small area of paper at a time, as the paste will go quite far, and keep changing to a clean bit of cloth/paper. I keep doing that until the paper looks as clean as possible then I use a clean lint free cloth for polishing the surface free if any remaining bits.

I used the grain of rice method for my quad core but some people say a line works better. I am happy with my temps given the terrible cooling in my case.

Greg0986 · 21 Oct 2010 at 16:57

I have had this experience today

I removed it and cleaned it of with some isopropyl alcohol or "rubbing alcohol". Works a treat.

I just put a pea sized dot in the middle of the processor then placed the heatsink on it and it spread out very nicely. Good temps but everyone would recommend different ways to apply it but it is down to preference really.

If your CPU sticks to the HSF like mine did

then just place the whole thing on its side and drop a few drops onto the thermal paste and gently try and twist it. It worked for me

And remember don't touch the pins. I found out the hard way that it is VERY easy to bend them but as long as you are careful you have nothing to worry about

Relentless81 · 21 Oct 2010 at 17:07

Thanks, i'm dreading this

bifday2k · 21 Oct 2010 at 17:51

No need to dread it, just take your time with it, once the plastic clips are loose from the mobo holes, you really don't need to much effort to get the cooler loose from the paste, a gentle rocking side to side generally breaks the bond. So as you are dreading it, just take your time.

Relentless81 · 21 Oct 2010 at 18:00

I know i'll get it done tomorrow and i'll be wondering what I was worried about, cant wait to get rid of the awful screaming of the OEM fan so I am looking forward to doing it too, i'll just take my time, in fact I wont do it tomorrow night because of Fall Out, i'll just do it on Saturday

bifday2k · 21 Oct 2010 at 18:05

Yeh i know what you mean, we all had to do it at some point, and i was exactly the same as you, i was like what if i mess up and so on, so fully understand why you are dreading it.

Its just a confidence thing really, once you have done it once, you won't look back at all, but thing is taking that first step, until that happens you will always dread it.

So yeh best to do it when there is nothing esle happening, so u can give yourself plenty of time, you won't need that time, but always nice to have it if u just need to step back for a sec, good luck. you won't need it but good luck nether the less.