[SOLVED] Removing a heatsink from a Raspberry Pi

[catsenti]

This doesn't necessarily require knowledge of Raspberry Pi, but it might help.

So, I'm upgrading the case for my Raspberry Pi to one that uses a better heatsink that cools more of the Pi than just two chips. The problem is, the Pi already has two heatsinks on two chips on the board. They're attached by 3M thermal tape. Is it safe to just take a razor and pry them off? Or is there something I should do first?

 

[racksmith101]

I normally use a hairdryer to warm up the heatsink and pad the just peel it off, use some isopropyl to clean any leftover gum off the ic's.

 

[the nerd 389]

I normally use a hairdryer to warm up the heatsink and pad the just peel it off, use some isopropyl to clean any leftover gum off the ic's.

This is pretty much how it's done. I'd just point out that a heat gun is what people normally use if there is one around. An SMD rework station works too, but is much slower.