Help me remove my motherboard [DONE!]

[djvibes2007]

Hi, im not very tech savvy when it comes to the bones of the pc, infact i can just say manage to install a dvd writer 😀

First a bit about my pc:

Asus P5N-E SLI
Intel Q6600 @ 2.4Ghz
Stock Intel Heatsink
4x1Gb Corsair Extreme
Apevia X-Cruiser Case

Now the reason i need to remove my motherboard is to connect a new Blue Orb II fan i just got today. With the current stock heatsink im getting idle temps of around 47-52c
So from reading google i only just discovered i need to take the motherboard out in order to connect the brackets. Can someone give me so advice on how to do it. My pc is only 5mth old and cost around £800 so i dont want to damage it

Many thanks

 

[br3nd064]

Unplug all the cables going to it, and try to get them out of the way. Unscrew all the screws connecting it to the case, and gently take it out. If you paid that much for it, I'd definitely consider using an anti-static wrist band.

 

[dallasjoh]

After you take your side cover don't just start unplugging cables. If this is your first time, take the time to note where all cables are plugged in. Mark the cables or draw a diagram of the inside of your computer so you will know how and where things plug back in. I found the following information by googling "How to remove a motherboard." Check out these links they should help, these computers may be a little different from yours but the method is the same. Maybe if you google you can find something better.
http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-an-ATX-Motherboard
http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_mother.htm

 

[knotknut]

Before any disassembly take some close up digital pictures so you will have something to reference back to if needed or to double check your self.

 

[djvibes2007]

Thanks for the excellent replies..

br3nd064, ive just ordered a anti static wrist strap, so when that comes (most likely saturday) i can start removing the board then.

dallasjoh, im going to write some labels out on some paper and stick them on the cables so i know where they reconnect. I think im also going to draw a diagram out also. Will also check your provided links.

knotknut, not a bad idea actually, i might do some small video clips on my phone as i go, if anything goes wrong i can then have a better idea maybe.

Thanks all

P.S, when i do start to take the motherboard out, maybe saturday now, whats the worst that could happen if anything goes wrong? Even with the antistatic wrist strap, could things go wrong? I have also ordered some thermal paste cleaner stuff. the Blue Orb II came with its own thermal paste so i shouldnt need arctic silver 5?, i guess this would be ok to use. And finally would there be any awkward screws, what screwdrivers etc do i need, would a standard philips head be ok?

Thanks again everyone

 

[dallasjoh]

Medium size standard phillips non-magnetic should be fine. If you are not going to OC then the paste on the HSF should be fine, otherwise use Artic Cooling MX-2 or Artic Silver 5.

As far as what bad can happen, well don't even think about that, just take your time and don't rush anything and double check your connections and things should be fine.

Post back and let us know how you did!

 

[djvibes2007]

well i was hoping on overclocking to say around 3.2Ghz, i guess i will order some arctic silver 5 or Artic Cooling MX-2 then. Ill also go to my local hardware set pickup a new screwdriver.

Ill probably attempt this sunday now, if not saturday, i got to go look for a new car.

And thanks for the solid advice, i guess this could be done in 30minutes, ill take up to 4 hours if needed, just to be sure. Also there in the top left corner of my motherboard (just under the psu) there are some components sticking out, not sure if they would have to be removed to get the motherboard out or not. Ill try and upload some pictures of this some time, maybe you guys can shed some more light.

Thanks again

 

[djvibes2007]

i just ordered some of the Artic Cooling MX-2, having heard so much of AS5, this paste seemed to produce cooler OC results.

Thanks dallasjoh

 

[djvibes2007]

ok, so im still in need of a couple of screwdrivers, Once i have it all i can start, before i do could somone confirm exactly what i have to do (slightly nervous), here are the steps i think i need to take (which may also serve well as a future guide):

1) Turn computer off, disconnect all cables from the outside of the tower (leave PSU cable connected and mains left on as a ground)
2) As knotknut suggested, take a diagram of the layout of the motherboard, alternatively label each connection so you know where to reconnect them
3) With the anti static wrist strap around your wrist and held onto a metal part of your pc, carefully remove the PCI cards such as your sound card, gfx card etc by holding the edge of both sides (the gfx card may have a lock in place)
4) Place the PCI cards individually into an anti static bag
5) Carefully remove all the other cables connected to the motherboard (hard drive, dvd roms, etc)
6) Checking there are no other cables in the way of the motherboard (took away in the case if needed), begin unscrewing the motherboard. Once unscrewed gently lift out of the case and place on an anti static surface, such as a cardboard box.
7) Disconnect the fan cable, and begin unscrewing the stock heatsink. This should lift straight up and out?
8) With the heatsink out, and the brackets it used out you should now be able to see the CPU?
9) Take a small amount of ISOPROPANOL IPA and dab with a dry cloth the thermal paste off the CPU. Make sure it is all clean and flat for the next step.
10) Using the Artic Cooling MX-2 (AS5 or other thermal paste) place a small amount ontop of the CPU (where the old paste was) and carefully smooth it out not too thick, but enough of it to cover any gaps (not too much that when you put the new heatsink on, it pushes the paste out sideways).
11) Connect the new heatsink bracket and screw in tightly. Place the heatsink on the bracket and screw into the stand offs. Once securely fitted leave for a minute and take the heatsink back off. This is so you can see by the markings on the paste, how well the heatsink sits on the thermal paste?
12) If its good screw the heatsink back on, then connect the fan connector.
13) Screw the motherboard back in, carefully install your PCI cards, followed by the remaining motherboard cables.
14) Give yourself time to give the motherboard a good check, to make sure everything is connected ok.
15) If your happy, switch the PC on and hopefully the new heatsink works. If its good, reconnect the side case to your tower, and thats it (hopefully!)

Sorry for the long post, in my head (also from reading some sites) i think this is what needs to be done. If someone could check it over, tell me if i got something wrong, mixed up or missed something out that would be much helpful.

My final question is, the stock intel heatsinks fan connector, connects to the CPU_FAN (3 pin). My new Blue Orb II is 4 pinned, where would i connect this - the only visible 4 pin socket for it is the CHA_FAN1 (would this be ok to connect to?).

THANKS VERY MUCH, Hopefully i can crack on with this some time later or tomorrow

 

[dallasjoh]

Connect your HSF to the 4 pin CPU_FAN connector next to the memory dimm as seen in this photo circled in red.

 

[djvibes2007]

wahoo! took nearly 8 hours but i got it in, and working after some trouble

The temps are now down between 26c-33c. i guess they will settle once the thermal paste calms down.

Thanks everyone!!

 

[dallasjoh]

GREAT JOB !!!! If you used AS5 thermal paste it will cure in about 200 hours of use. Then cpu temps could go down about 2-5 degrees more, but hey, 26c to 33c right off the bat is pretty good. lol.

 

[djvibes2007]

thanks, some good tips from you guys

Problem is now, if my pc is off for say 4 hours, when i switch it on and run core temp, it says each core is at 27c, but then after 10minutes they jump to 40c-50c! Its going back to normal, what went wrong?

EDIT: im going to put this in a new thread. Thanks