Urgent Help - Remove Heatsink

Simpic · 6 Feb 2013 at 20:28

Hi,

I need to remove the heatsink on my http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/atom/ich9/x7spa-hf-d525.cfm

It's overheating in the Supermicro 1U chassis and I think that the thermal paste might be an issue.

The pins that hold the heatsink in place are spring loaded and open wider when they have passed through the hole in the PCB itself.

I can not push the end of the pin together enough to make it pass back through the hole.

Should I use pliers? Is this the way to remove it?

I am installing a fan in the case as well to move some air over the heat sink as well but I think the thermal paste will help as well.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Simpic

Blue160 · 6 Feb 2013 at 20:32

It's probably like that because it's not designed to be removed. Bear in mind that if you do get it off you may not get it back on again, and that better thermal paste will knock at best 2 or 3C off your load temperature.

Try the fan first as that's likely to have more of an impact on your temperatures.

mickyflinn · 6 Feb 2013 at 20:35

You could also get a fan and put on top of the heatsink, that should help dissipate heat from the cpu quicker.

Simpic · 6 Feb 2013 at 21:57

Thanks Guys,

I managed to get it off quite easily in the end with a pair of small nosed pliers. The thermal compound has been replaced and a fan put in the case moving air over the heat sink.

Temps look a lot better now :-)

I'll keep monitoring.