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CPU stuck to heatsink

phantomtypist

New Member
Joined
May 4, 2021
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So I have a socket based CPU, Pentium III Tualatin with the silver cover on top of the core, that is stuck to the heatsink. I actually had to "rip" it out of the motherboard socket. I wasn't sure what's the best approach to getting the CPU unstuck from the heatsink? It looks like the thermal pad/grease has fused the two together.

I was contemplating letting both of them soak in some isopropyl alcohol for a while and then if that doesn't work use the low setting on my heat gun.

Any thoughts on this approach or a better method?
 
Use the low setting on your heat gun and heat up the heatsink. This will "melt" the thermal paste between the two, and you can then slid the heatsink off. Use isopropyl at that point to clean up the remaining thermal compound.
 
Or just soak the CPU+heatsink in a shallow bowl of isopropyl alcohol for a day or two. The alcohol won't bother the CPU. Paint thinner also works well.
 
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