How to unstick the processor from the heatsink. How to clean your computer from dust
Dust slows down your computer because it impairs heat dissipation from the CPU and video card. They overheat to a critical level when throttling is triggered. This is a mechanism built into processors that reduces their performance, thereby reducing the temperature.
Cleaning your computer from dust is necessary not when there is a need to speed up the computer, but at least once a year. The lower the system unit is located, the more dust it collects. The copy we cleaned had not been cleaned for six months, and the photographs show that it was thoroughly dusty. Although this is not the most advanced option yet.
Two options for cleaning your computer: express and deep
To quickly remove dust from the system unit, remove the cover and vacuum it. Try not to damage anything. It will take 3 minutes, but will only remove some of the dust. Therefore, we will talk about method No. 2.
Thorough cleaning involves dismantling and cleaning the cooler, processor and video card, as well as putting the case in order. You will need a flathead and Phillips screwdriver, ethyl alcohol, paper napkins, thermal paste, a cleaning brush and a vacuum cleaner (which does not fit in the photo).
Turn off the computer and disconnect all cords from the system unit. We take it out from the place where you have it, into free space.
When disassembling any parts of your computer, use the golden rule: before you unscrew, disconnect, or remove anything, take a photo or write down how it happened. Then it will be easier to assemble.
We lay the system unit on its side. To open it, unscrew the screws securing the cover on the back panel. Most often, after this you need to move it towards the rear panel.
This is how the picture opens. Our main goal is the cooler or processor cooling system, consisting of a fan and a radiator. In the photo it is in the center, boxed version. The second target is the video card, which is visible to the right of the cooler.
First we remove the fan. Using a flathead screwdriver, slightly bend the side latches one at a time and pull the fan up. There are options when it is attached with screws or is not removed from the radiator at all. In the latter case, you can only clean it superficially.
After removing the fan, disconnect it from the motherboard.
How to remove a heatsink from a processor
The radiator can be attached directly to the motherboard with screws, then you just need to unscrew them. Or a plastic slot frame is attached to the motherboard, and the radiator is clicked into it. In this case, to remove the radiator, lift the clamp holding the mounting bracket. We disengage the bracket grooves on both sides and carefully pull up.
If the thermal paste between the processor and the heatsink has dried out, the heatsink may come off along with the processor. In this case, carefully pry up the processor with a wooden or plastic tool and disconnect it. It is better to do this with gloves.
Release the processor latch on the socket. Now you can disconnect the processor itself by pulling it up. Please note: there are metal feet on the back of the processor. Be careful not to bend them.
Having removed the cooler and processor, we clean the system unit from the inside, i.e. We are trying to remove dust from all other elements. To do this, we use a regular vacuum cleaner and a clean, dry small brush. When bringing the vacuum cleaner hose to any dust accumulations on the motherboard or in the case, use a brush to scrape it out of the corners.
You need to be careful with any protruding parts on the board to avoid breaking them. We clean everything that we see and that we can carefully get close to.
An alternative cleaning option is to use compressed air cylinders, which can be used to blow out contaminated areas. But the dust will still settle somewhere, and breathing it is harmful.
The inner surface of the processor must not be wiped with a damp cloth! After this, computers cannot survive!
As a rule, there is no dust on it, but there are remnants of thermal paste, usually dried out. The easiest way to remove them is with a paper towel moistened with alcohol. It happens that the paste has already hardened and alcohol does not take it - then try more aggressive substances such as solvent or acetone. Do not use wet wipes or rags!
We clean the radiator separately, and the fan separately. First, use the same napkin with alcohol to clean the underside of the radiator contact plate from any remaining thermal paste. Then use a brush and vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the ribs. As an option, it is possible to flush the radiator with water, but then thoroughly dry it. By the time it is installed in place, there should be no moisture left in it.
The fan is cleaned with a brush, blown with air, and wiped with a cloth soaked in alcohol. Be careful with the fan blades, they are easy to break.
Once you've finished cleaning, try turning the fan manually. Rotation should be easy, without unnecessary noise and strong axial play. Movement along the axis up and down a couple of millimeters is allowed. But if there is noise, strong play, or the fan generally does not spin easily by hand, it is better to replace it.
Replacement of thermal paste and assembly
Once all parts are cleaned, you can begin reassembly. Re-coat the processor with thermal paste.
You need to change the thermal paste every six months, but if you clean your computer more often, change it every time you clean it.
How to apply thermal paste? – Very economically, literally on the tip of the nail. It's not a matter of greed, it's just that for effective thermal conductivity the layer of thermal paste should be as thin as possible. So don't overdo it.
Spread the paste with a clean finger or a plastic card “spatula”. You need to cover the entire surface of the processor, while distributing the paste evenly, without gaps, but without crawling over the edges. We collect excess from the edges with a napkin or cotton wool.
We install the processor in place so that the corner marked with a golden triangle on it coincides with a similar corner in the socket. This is the only position in which the processor will fit correctly. It just “falls” into the slot itself, no need to press. Then we fix it with a clamp.
Reinstall the radiator. To do this, you need to place the grooves of the bracket under the hooks, hooking them, and press the radiator with the handle. It should fit tightly and not wobble on the processor.
Man loves warmth. In the warmth it is comfortable and cozy, joyful and familiar. What a pity that the human brainchild, the computer, is trying to get rid of this heat as quickly as possible. One of these methods is installing coolers (fans).
As mentioned above, coolers are designed to remove heat. This is a “hybrid” of a radiator and a fan, which is installed on computer components with increased/high heat generation. Main applications: CPU (central processing unit), video card, power supply, chipset chips.
The main characteristics of the cooler are noise level and air performance. There is one caveat - these two characteristics are very rarely combined with each other. The higher the performance, the better the heat dissipation, but the noise level increases. In short, it's a double-edged sword.
One of the main computer coolers is designed to cool the CPU. It looks more massive and performs well. Its “smaller brothers” are the fans on the video card, chipset and power supply.
The main “assistant” of coolers is thermal paste. Thermal conductive paste is used to reduce the thermal resistance between two touching/closely spaced surfaces. It is applied to the thermal contact area (between the cooler radiator and the processor/board) and smeared when the surfaces are pressed against each other. In this case, the paste fills the smallest depressions in the surface, displacing air, which has very low thermal conductivity. Thermal paste is already applied to the surface of most modern coolers and covered with a special protective layer.
I think I'm talking. Initially I wanted to offer you step-by-step instructions for replacing the cooler. As one saying goes: “let's go back to our sheep.” So, there is a task - replacing the cooler. To do this, we need: screwdrivers (Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers) - one, a cloth/wet wipe to remove thermal paste - two, a new fan - three, and thermal paste (if there is none on the cooler) - four.
Turn off the computer from the network. Disconnect all cables. Take a Phillips screwdriver and run it along the back and side walls to remove static electricity (be careful not to scratch the case). Unscrew the screws and remove the side cover. We turn the “system unit” on its side. We see a big fan. This is what we will change. Turn the mount against the pointer arrow (located on the mount) until it stops, then pull it up. There should be a soft click. We perform the same procedure with the remaining three fasteners. If instead of four fasteners you see two levers, then move the fastening in the opposite direction (as shown in the picture). The cooler can be removed!
After the fan is removed, you need to wipe the processor with a damp cloth (rag, piece of paper) to remove any remaining thermal paste. We take a new cooler, remove the protective layer covering the thermal paste, and carefully install the fan on the processor. There is a wide recess along the entire width of the cooler base, which should be located above the socket protrusion (see picture below). If you install it with the recess on the opposite side, the cooler will be skewed and there will be no connection between the processor and the base. This threatens the processor with a chip or thermal breakdown (“death” of the CPU).
After you have installed the cooler, try to refrain from tilting it, rotating it (pressure is also undesirable), or removing it. This is fraught with chips and failure of the CPU. If for some reason the cooler still had to be removed, you will have to re-lubricate the required areas with thermal paste. If this is not done, so-called “air cushions” may appear, which lead to overheating and instability of the system.
All that remains is to secure the latches. The process is identical to removing the cooler, only everything needs to be done in reverse (press the latches and turn in the direction of the arrow). We did what we planned. It's time to return the side cover of the case to its place, connect all the cables, and turn on the computer. Yes, by the way, in addition to changing the cooler, we did another useful procedure - replacing thermal paste(over time it can dry out, so we carried out a kind of prevention).
Now about video card coolers. They are easy to install (unscrew 4 screws, remove the cooler, install a new one, first freeing the thermal paste from the protective layer, tighten the screws), but it is difficult to select the right one (this process causes certain difficulties).
In order to change the cooler in the power supply, you need to be “friendly” with a soldering iron (if you have cheap models), because In almost all standard power supplies, the fan wires are soldered. There will be no problems with more expensive models. I removed the power supply, unscrewed the screws, removed the power supply cover, disconnected the old cooler (after removing the wires from the port), installed a new one, connected it, and tightened the power supply cover.
That's all. Step-by-step instructions for replacing the cooler in your hands, general information too. If you don’t want to waste your time and be nervous about changing the cooler incorrectly, then contact the KLIK company. Experienced specialists will help resolve any issues with hardware and software. Urgent computer help is waiting for your call.
Instructions
Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the computer from the network by unplugging the plug from the outlet. Remove the side panel to gain access to the motherboard. If certain cables are in the way, carefully move them to the side or disconnect them, first remembering their location.
The cooler is usually attached to the radiator with four plastic latches. To remove it, first unplug the connector. Then carefully pick up one of the latches with a screwdriver or other suitable tool, pull it back and lift the corner of the cooler so that the edge of the latch comes out of the socket. Do the same with the other three latches. After this, pull the cooler off the radiator; it should come off easily.
When removing the fan, pay attention to how it was installed; during assembly you will need to install it in the same way. Usually the cooler is removed for lubrication, replacement or when cleaning the radiator. After completing the necessary work, return the cooler to its place and connect the connector. Pay attention to the location of the wire; it should not be located near the fan blades.
If you want to remove the radiator, it is not necessary to disconnect the cooler from it; just disconnect its connector. To remove the heatsink, you will need access to the back of the motherboard, so remove both side panels from the system unit.
The heatsink is usually secured with plastic clips into holes on the motherboard. To remove it, squeeze the fixing part of one of the latches from the back of the board so that it can freely come out of the board hole. Do the same with the three remaining latches and remove the radiator.
Be careful: if the latches are released but the radiator is not removed, do not use force. Most likely, the radiator is simply stuck to the processor. Turn on the computer for a couple of minutes, then turn off and try again. The thermal conductive grease applied to the processor will warm up and the heatsink should come off easily. When you reinstall the radiator, do not forget to apply a drop of this lubricant. New radiators may already have grease applied.
So, the most common way to attach a cooler is with small screws. Everything here is quite simple: take a screwdriver of a suitable size, unscrew the small screws and the cooler is free.
Determine the type of fan mounting. You can determine it by its appearance: either it is screws or a fastening in the form of a latch. Carefully unscrew the screws if the fan is attached to them. Select a screwdriver that matches the size of the screw heads so as not to tear off the slot. Unscrew the screws, usually there are 4 of them. Unfasten the fasteners in the form of latches, if the fan is attached to them. Lift two metal or plastic levers at the same time if the mount is designed differently. Carefully separate the fan from the radiator.
Many modern motherboards use additional cooling for chipsets. coolers. But over time, dust can accumulate on them and they begin to create a high level of noise. To restore normal operation of the cooler, you need to remove it from the motherboard boards and clean. It may also happen that the cooler may fail completely. Then it will need to be replaced with a new one.
You will need
- Computer, cooler, screwdriver
Instructions
Unplug your computer. Disconnect all devices connected to it from the system unit. Remove the system unit cover. It is attached with screws. Unscrew them. Some cases may also have latches. Now pay attention to exactly how the cooler is attached to the motherboard. There can be two options. In the first option, it can be screwed onto the front of the motherboard. In this case, in order to remove the cooler, you just need to unscrew four screws. Find a suitable screwdriver and remove these screws. After this, simply disconnect the cooler from the motherboard and remove it from the system unit.
In the second option, the cooler can be attached to the motherboard from the back. To unscrew the fasteners, you will first have to remove the motherboard from the system unit. Disconnect all power supply wires from the motherboard, including the power on and reboot wire. Remove the four screws on the edges of the motherboard. Next, look to see if there are still mounting screws on it. If you find them, unscrew them as well.
After removing all the screws, carefully remove the motherboard from the computer case. From the back of the motherboard, remove all the screws that secure the cooler to it and disconnect it.
Perform all necessary operations on the cooler (cleaning, lubrication) and screw it back on. After the cooler is connected, install the motherboard into the computer. Screw it to the wall of the computer case, then connect it, as well as the wires coming from the power supply. Do not rush to close the cover of the system unit. Connect your computer to power and turn it on. Check it out. If everything is fine, turn off the computer and secure the system unit cover. Connect any previously disconnected devices.
The power of a computer is largely dependent on processing power. processor(stone). When it is not enough, the most reasonable option to solve the problem is to replace it processor. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the stone for other reasons: for example, over time the thermal paste dries out on it and needs to be reapplied to ensure sufficient cooling of the CPU.
You will need
- - screwdriver.
Instructions
Unscrew the screws on the computer case and open the side cover of the system unit. Provide easy access to the cooler on the motherboard. To do this, temporarily disconnect unnecessary cables, cables, etc. Then they can be inserted back into place. By freeing up space for yourself, you will make your work much easier: removing the processor cooler will be much easier, especially if you are a novice user and have no experience in assembling computers. Remove the fan from processor carefully, do not use force under any circumstances. Otherwise, you may break the fragile fasteners on the socket or .
Carefully remove the fan processor. To do this, first pull out the cooler's power cable from the connector. The further procedure depends on the type of fan mounting; there may be several of them. If you have a cooler for Socket 775 (and this is the most common case), in most cases it is enough to carefully, without using unnecessary force, simultaneously pull the levers securing the cooler in opposite directions and slightly upward, and then carefully remove the radiator from the mounts.
Now all that remains is to remove the processor itself. To do this, pull the lever on the processor socket until it is at a 90-degree angle with respect to the motherboard. Carefully, without touching the contact pads, grasp the processor by the edges and pull it out.
Useful advice
When removing the processor, do not touch the contact pads on the socket or the contacts on the stone with your hands.
It is advisable to place the removed processor on a soft, dry surface, for example, clean foam rubber.
Do all procedures with dry, clean hands. Be careful not to get water on the processor or its pads.
How to remove the cooler from the processor— a cooler is a combination of a fan and a radiator that performs the function of air cooling the central processor in a computer. If the cooler malfunctions, the processor will quickly heat up from the power it produces, and as a result it may fail. Therefore, each user needs to be able to do it correctly, without damaging anything.
General information
Modern computers have several categories of coolers with different mounting systems. Here is a list of them:
Fixation with screws. In this case, the cooler is attached to the heatsink using special screws with a slot for a small screwdriver.
Fastening using a special locking mechanism installed on the base of the radiator. Equipment fastened in this way can be easily removed and installed. When removing it, you just need to move the latches a little to the side.
Another design of the fastening mechanism is made using a groove. Removing the cooler is also quite easy; you just need to move the lever to the side. In some fastening designs, a special clip is provided for operating with a lever, which is included with the cooler. You can also use a screwdriver.
There are types of coolers that are made monolithically with a radiator, and many do not know how to remove the cooler from the processor. In this case, you will need to remove the radiator along with the fan. As a rule, the option to dismantle this component becomes clear upon first inspection.
We advise you to perform all these actions in a free area, where you can freely manipulate the body. Don’t forget, before starting work inside the system unit, be sure to disconnect the wire from the mains power outlet! If you plan to repair a laptop, then in addition to disconnecting the power cord, you also need to remove the battery.
Instructions for performing step-by-step actions
In the case when you are doing work on a personal computer, it is advisable to position the system unit case in a horizontal plane. Since it is more convenient to work in this position and eliminates the possibility of components accidentally falling out of the slots. Be sure to remove all accumulated dust inside the case!
Now the sequence of steps when dismantling the cooler:
The first step is to disconnect the power supply wire from the fan. To do this, carefully remove the wire from the corresponding connector. In some models it is absent, since the supply voltage is supplied to the connector into which the radiator and cooler are installed.
Next, we dismantle the radiator along with the fan. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws and set them aside. After removing the screws, grab the radiator with one hand and lightly move it left and right, and then remove the heat sink along with the fan upwards. If the fastening is made using a lever or latches, then just move them to the side and remove the radiator.
When the radiator cannot be removed, it is most likely that the heat-conducting paste on the processor has dried out due to high temperature and formed a kind of scale. It is this scale that prevents the radiator from freely separating from the processor. In order not to forcibly tear out the heatsink, but to remove it in a more gentle way, for this you need to warm the junction of the heatsink with the processor thoroughly with a hairdryer.
How to remove the cooler from the processor. Correct actions.
Welcome friends to my website, today we’ll talk about the cooler. We can say that every personal computer user knows what a cooler is and almost every user had to remove the cooler to clean dust or install a new one. Let's look at the process of how to remove the cooler, how to install the cooler and processor.
A cooler is a radiator designed to cool a heated device. It consists of thin metal plates and a fan.
When the processor is loaded, the plates heat up; the air flow directed by the fan cools these plates, thereby preventing the system from heating up.
Coolers are different: noisy, silent, weak, powerful. Basically, the quality of a cooler is assessed by noise levels. A good cooler is considered to be one whose noise level fluctuates in the range of 20 decibels, it’s like listening to a person speaking in a whisper at a distance of 1 meter from you.
Cooler removal process
This article will be useful especially for beginners when cleaning the cooler from dust, which must be done at least once a month, and when replacing thermal paste.
Before you begin, you must completely disconnect the processor from the power source. Each system unit has a removable cover on the side; unscrew two screws on the rear panel and remove the cover.
As we said above, coolers vary not only in power and comfort, but also in appearance. Some models are attached to the motherboard using one latch, while others sit on four legs, see the picture below
In my case, the cooler is attached to one latch. Carefully remove the cooler and disconnect the wires. In particular, when removing the cooler, the processor underneath gets stuck and is removed along with the cooler.
We separate the processor from the cooler carefully without sudden movements. Make sure that the legs on the processor are not deformed in any way, otherwise the computer will not turn on.
Now you need to clean the cooler from dust. To do this we need a brush or compressed air. You also need to check the thermal paste on the cooler; if it is completely dry, then you need to change it to a new one to avoid overheating the system.
Cooler installation process
The first thing you need to do is install the processor. Here you need to be careful and very careful. The process and the processor socket have markings to help you place the processor correctly. Let's look at the picture
Raise the handbrake to 90 degrees, insert the processor and lower the handbrake to its previous position.
Do not press on the processor under any circumstances, otherwise you will deform the micro-leg on the processor. If for some reason you have deformed the leg, there is no need to panic, we will try to correct it to its original place. We take the processor and look at the row of legs where we made the deformations, and try to make sure that the leg does not stick out from the row of other legs. We carry out this process on the other side as well. If you don’t understand what we’re talking about, write in the comments.
Now we have put the processor in place. Now you need to install the cooler, fixing the processor in the center of the cooler.
If you did everything correctly, the cooler sits down smoothly. When installing the cooler, do not apply pressure under any circumstances, otherwise the processor will be damaged.
The final finishing touch is to connect the wires to the fan to the same connector.
That's it, friends, now you have in your hands competent instructions on how to remove the cooler, how to install the cooler and processor.
If something doesn’t work out for you or you have any questions, write in the comments. I hope the information was useful until we meet again!