Quick question: Do I need to remove mobo to change HSF?

[Known Unsoldier]

Well, the title pretty much sums it up. I'm wondering if I need to undo everything and take the mobo out of the case in order to change the HSF. Thanks in advance.

 

[Glavinsolo]

Telling us the processor and MB will help. But if it is a newer computer socket 775 or 939+ etc the answer is 80% yes. Since there are now mounting brackets on the opposite side of the motherboard that you screw the hsf onto. Hope this helps.

 

[Arcanedeath]

It depends on what Heatsink your replacing the stock one with and what socket w/out more details we can not answer your questions, What socket / motherboard and new HSF are you using?

 

[jkresh]

you can take the stock hsf off without taking out the board, as others have said whether you can put the new one on or not depends on its mounting mechanism.

 

[Known Unsoldier]

Sorry, I figured people would find enough details in my sig. The new HSF (Thermaltake TMG i2) attaches with the same mounting mechanism as the stock Intel HSF (i.e. four plastic doohickies that pop down into holes and lock into place). Socket 775.

Specs as seen below: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 | E6420 @ 2.8ghz | 2 x 1gb random access memory | eVGA 8800GTS 320mb | TT 550w | 80gb WD | CM Centurion 5

 

[Navid]

You do not need to remove the motherboard if the cooler uses push-pins.

But, push-pins are not reliable.
One would always wonder if all the 4 push-pins are completely in place or one has come slightly loose, and resulted in sub-optimal performance.

Get one of these bolt-thru-kit units.
http://www.thermalright.com/a_...ion_lga775_kit_new.htm
This is one place you can order it from.
http://www.jab-tech.com/Therma...-Thru-Kit-pr-3605.html

Then, use this technique to mount the backplate so that you do not have to remove the motherboard every time you need to re-seat the cooler.
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...111635&highlight_key=y

You will have to remove the motherboard once to set it up.
But, after that, you will not have to remove it again unless you want to go back to push-pins.

 

[Known Unsoldier]

Thanks for the insight. I'll just just get a better HSF once I upgrade my processor.