Best way to put a heatsink on?

There well hard to put on, anyone got a goo method to put one on easily, without risking breaking mobo?

eerr I ain't exactly got a GOOD method, most importantly I think is that you have applied the thermal paste on correctly first, ie nice thin even layer. hhmm as for the HS itself..it really depends which one you have, is it for Intel or AMD?? does it have a clip for you to push down with screw driver, or is it one of these easier ones where you can just push down with your fingers. You might have some difficulty if it was a water cooled HS or one of those massive thermal SLK thinggies.

but in most cases the cpu HS shouldn't be hard to put on or take off, a simple rule...never force it as the pressure could easily damage the core.

Ady

Erm, I guess we're talking K7 because K8 & Intel ones are easy.

Depends greatly on the heatsink, if its got a no screwdriver clip then just push - do it quickly giving enough force to push it under (never let it stop half way or you risk snapping the tabs), if it needs a screwdriver, get one the right size and make sure it can't slip (try pushing/moving it while off the board and hold the HS with your hands). If thats fine then clip it over then push down, push away from the heatsink slightly and under the thing, again - make sure the socket only takes the presure when its right under.

Assuming it's one of those difficult buggers, it's usually best to get a screwdriver that fits the small slot and push/lever it on. Often it makes things a lot easier if you take out the four screws retaining the PSU and tuck it out of the way whilst you mount your HS.

yup floppy its one of them buggers

sorry should have said k7 ath xp, i got one and it seems really hard, ive pressed down with a screwdriver really hard but it still wont go down :( just making holes in my fingers, lol

a pair of long nose or needle-nose pliers is what i use and it works a treat,much better than a screwdriver as much less chance of slipping and you can pull the clip sideways

Most of the Heatsinks I've had to fit have got screwdriver slots in the clips. This makes it slightly easier, but it still requires far too much pressure for my liking :confused: :eek:

if it is that hard to put the heatsink on then you should have spent more than £1 on it ;)

any half decent hsf should be easy to install ,the only ones that are true buggers that ive used are those cheap ass coolermaster ones

also it really is a lot easier to put a heatsink on outside of the case i do all mine on my lap

remember if its that hard to get on it will be twice as difficult to get off :)