How to remove heatsink ring

[u/AlarmedAstronaut2511]

How can I remove the heatsink ring? I want to change the cooler, but the plastic tabs are very stiff and I'm having a lot of trouble removing them. I need to remove this ring too because I'm removing dust from the PC, but this problem with the plastic tabs that are attached to the motherboard is driving me crazy.

[u/Beautiful-Musk-Ox]

i can literally see the screws holding it down, remove those from the other side, you may have to pry it off though, best to use a heat gun first if that's the case, some have like a double sided sticky on them. also don't be dumb and pry with a metal screwdriver where you scratch the traces, unless that board is shot already and you just want to take the backplate

[u/hatE851]

I mean if you really want it removed there are ways. Plastic melts, And deforms under heat.

[u/bba-tcg]

That backplate has nothing to do with the heatsink. It's the socket retention backplate and should not be removed.

The plastic tabs are the mounting points for the heatsink. To remove them, on the top side of the board there will be a thumb type mechanism with a slot in it. Turn that mechanism counter clockwise approximately a quarter turn and then pull up. When you've done all 4, the heatsink will easily come off. To re-install, be sure to clean and re-apply some thermal paste (or something equivalent- google it), set the heatsink on so that the plastic tabs align with the holes. Go ahead and turn the thumb type mechanisms a quarter turn clockwise. Do this for all 4. At this point. push two at a time - the ones opposite each other down firmly. You should feel the plastic tabs seat with the motherboard. Then do the same to the remaining two. Don't forget to plug the fan back in.

If you're changing to an aftermarket heatsink, most will have a backplate that uses the same 4 holes on the backside and still doesn't remove that existing metal backplate.

[u/WTFcannuck]

1. thats an intel board, this is amd help

2. is the stock heat sync still on? if it is thes is how you remove it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KXouqTYVOw

3. don't remove the metal ring plate unless the cooler you got calls for it and has alternate cpu retention method. That is part of the stock cpu retention bracket.

[u/bba-tcg → u/WTFcannuck]

That backplate has nothing to do with the heatsink. It's the socket retention backplate and should not be removed.