How do I remove CPU stuck to heatsink?

[Tom_660]

Hi Guys. So I bought an AMD FX 8350 and motherboard bundle on eBay and when trying to take heat sink of CPU which was on motherboard I managed to pull both the CPU and Heat sink off the motherboard, without undoing the retaining clip. Miraculously the CPU and motherboard seem fine although some slight bent pins on CPU. The guy I bought it off has put way too much thermal paste on the CPU and now they are stuck together like super glue.

My problem now is how do I separate the Heat sink from the CPU? I've tried a few methods, soaking in Isopropyl alcohol overnight, didn't help. Trying to separate with floss and Isopropyl alcohol, didn't help. Hairdryer then tried to twist and remove, again didn't help. I've read somewhere about putting it in the oven at like 120 degrees celsius for 10 minutes and then trying to twist on a vice will work? Is that a good idea?

The link below is a picture of the heat sink and CPU stuck together:

Thanks, I'll be really grateful if anybody has any ideas.

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

The CPU was installed incorrectly. You should be able to repair it with a card or something. The easiest way to get it off is install it properly, and let it run for a few minutes. Turn off the PC, then remove it.

 

[mjslakeridge]

Wow, you shouldn't have been able to remove it without undoing the retaining clip, but I have seen that before on this forum. Usually the methods you have tried end up working. You definitely want to twist rather than pry it loose. 120 degrees C seems a bit hot, maybe try 100 C. It is possible the previous owner use some sort of thermal glue rather than thermal paste, in which case you are probably out of luck. Let us know if you get it to come off the heatsink and the method that worked.

Edit: What I would try to do is make a jig out of some scraps of wood, maybe 2x2's glued and screwed together, exactly the size of the cpu. Then after heating up the cpu and heatsink, place the jig over the cpu and twist the jig. That will give you much more leverage and protect the pins on the cpu.

 

[USAFRet]

and when trying to take heat sink of CPU which was on motherboard I managed to pull both the CPU and Heat sink off the motherboard, without undoing the retaining clip.

That is not good.

I've read somewhere about putting it in the oven at like 120 degrees celsius for 10 minutes and then trying to twist on a vice will work?

If you are exceedingly careful, that might work. Or you might destroy the whole thing.

 

[InvalidError]

While thermal paste may create a significant vacuum bond between the CPU and heatsink, I have a hard time imagining how it could get that strong. If it is stuck on there that good, it does sound like there may be adhesive of some sort in there.

With paste, continuous gentle prying should get them apart - insert a stack of paper between the CPU and heatsink, then wedge a credit card in the stack (or however many it takes before you cannot fit any more) and let it sit for an hour. The constant prying force should eventually break the vacuum bond if it really is only an exceptionally strong paste vacuum at work.

 

[Tom_660]

Managed to get CPU off the heat sink! I heated up the heat sink with a hairdryer and using a Stanley knife blade I managed to pry the processor off.