How to clean the socket 775 heatsink + cooling fan?

[pg]

One of the company PC is located in the warehouse area, and that place
is very dusty.

So dusty that a lot of grime have built up in the heatsink + cooling
fan, and the CPU temperature is rising as a result.

In the process of cleaning the PC, I disassembled the cooling fan +
heatsink assembly from the CPU, trying my best to clean away all the
dust and grime stuck on the heatsink and the cooling fan.

The cooling fan / heatsink assembly is joint together by 4 washer type
of stoppers (located almost at the half way down the 4 screws) and I
can't find a way to separate the fan from the heatsink.

This resulted in the THICK LAYER of grime and dust that are stuck in
between the fan and the heatsink to be totally inaccessible.

I tried my best to clean them out but couldn't.

If only I can separate the fan OUT from the heatsink assembly ....

So, to the hardware gurus here ---

1. Is there a way to take out the fan from the fan/heatsink assembly,
without breaking anything?

2. If the answer to #1 is NO, then, is there a way to clean out the
grimes that stuck in between the fan and the heatsink?

Please advise.

Thank you !!

 

[smlunatick]

One of the company PC is located in the warehouse area, and that place
is very dusty.

So dusty that a lot of grime have built up in the heatsink + cooling
fan, and the CPU temperature is rising as a result.

In the process of cleaning the PC, I disassembled the cooling fan +
heatsink assembly from the CPU, trying my best to clean away all the
dust and grime stuck on the heatsink and the cooling fan.

The cooling fan / heatsink assembly is joint together by 4 washer type
of stoppers (located almost at the half way down the 4 screws) and I
can't find a way to separate the fan from the heatsink.

This resulted in the THICK LAYER of grime and dust that are stuck in
between the fan and the heatsink to be totally inaccessible.

I tried my best to clean them out but couldn't.

If only I can separate the fan OUT from the heatsink assembly ....

So, to the hardware gurus here ---

1. Is there a way to take out the fan from the fan/heatsink assembly,
without breaking anything?

2. If the answer to #1 is NO, then, is there a way to clean out the
grimes that stuck in between the fan and the heatsink?

Please advise.

Thank you !!

If the heatsink / fan is so mucked up with grime, I would consider
locating a "replacement" heatsink / fan assembly. A quick search on a
known parts web site (www.startech.com) comes up with 4 new heatsink /
fan kits:

http://www.startech.com/product/itemlist.aspx?product_desc=fan+775&search..x=0&search.y=0

And some models might have better performance than your original.

 

[JR Weiss]

If the heatsink / fan is so mucked up with grime, I would consider
locating a "replacement" heatsink / fan assembly. A quick search on a
known parts web site (www.startech.com) comes up with 4 new heatsink / fan
kits:

I agree. Since you already have the old heat sink off the CPU, most of the
hard work is done.

Some require removing the motherboard to fix a mounting plate on the
underside, but there are several that do not require MoBo removal:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835119092

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150056

 

[veesubotee]

I use a can of compressed air. To get the fins of the HSF I use the same
compressed air with the straw attached to the nozzle that comes with the
can. Seems to get rid of even the most reluctant schmutz.

When the warm/hot weather arrives (now), I usually find my processor fan
periodically switching to overdrive. In the past, I used a straightened
paper clip to 'pick' out the lint between the fins. I just did my check; no
lint, but probed the fins anyway, then started up the computer (with case
cover and duct removed and blew out whatever was inside. Seems to be
running cooler now with no overdrive.

Relating to the OPs post, I once read somewhere that blowing compressed air
into a computer would place a static charge on the innards. I do wear a
wrist strap while cleaning the fins, but wonder about using compressed air.

What do you think, Jan?

HankG

 

[spodosaurus]

I use a can of compressed air. To get the fins of the HSF I use the same
compressed air with the straw attached to the nozzle that comes with the
can. Seems to get rid of even the most reluctant schmutz.

Canned air and an antistatic brush, repeat as necessary.

Ari

--
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/

 

[Pennywise]

I've heard that said to using a vacuum cleaner,being that a motor is running
and building a charge, but not of the compressed air.

It's not the motor, it's the air blowing past the parts that causes a
static charge to build up - just keep it plugged in (wall plug) it
will discharge itself if a problem.

Never heard of CA causing a static charge, but it would be the same
principle as a vacuum and wearing a static strap isn't going to have
any affect at all.

 

[Pennywise]

Canned air and an antistatic brush, repeat as necessary.

Sounds like I have the same setup (heatsink/fan) and that's how I do
it. Canned air and one of those brushes that come with hair cutting
kits.

My fan is connected - heck still in the computer, I just push the
brush thru the fan and into the heat sink move it around, then spray
with air, repeat.

 

[GMAN]

I use a can of compressed air. To get the fins of the HSF I use the same
compressed air with the straw attached to the nozzle that comes with the
can. Seems to get rid of even the most reluctant schmutz.

Rather than a low pressure can of compressed air, invest in an air compressor
like the ones they sell at Harbor Freight Tools. FOr around $100-$150, you
can get the job done with ease.



http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40400

 

[smlunatick]

I agree.  Since you already have the old heat sink off the CPU, most ofthe
hard work is done.

Some require removing the motherboard to fix a mounting plate on the
underside, but there are several that do not require MoBo removal:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835119092

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150056

Especially that the fan has a place where we can not access with most
brushes. The fan "spinner" is extremely "fragile" and most brushes
are not easily pushed through the sight gap.

 

[olfart]

Rather than a low pressure can of compressed air, invest in an air
compressor
like the ones they sell at Harbor Freight Tools. FOr around $100-$150,
you
can get the job done with ease.

120psi can do all kinds of damage to a computers innards and the air from a
compressor can contain moisture as well as oil and other traces of crap
Stick to the canned air

 

[GMAN]

120psi can do all kinds of damage to a computers innards and the air from a
compressor can contain moisture as well as oil and other traces of crap
Stick to the canned air

Oh my god, you "DO" realize that you can adjust these from 0 psi all the way
to 120 psi???? I never leave my compressor on the highest setting, just enough
for the grinder, or sprayer, or tool i am using at the time!!!!!!!

And anyone with more than shit for brains uses an oil/air filter on their
lines!!!!!!!!

 

[GMAN]

$129 !! LOL .


For the amount of cleaning I do I'll stick with the $10 can of CA.

FIne, but you can get smaller compressors. I just listed a do all type that
could be used for cleaning crap like PC's all the way up to running tools in
their warehouse.

You can get smaller ones for $50


So quit LOL at others posts before you step back and look at the big picture
for the OP. They said it was in a warehouse, i assumed it would be handy for
other uses too.



BTW, that $10 can of air is a ripoff.

 

[GMAN]

Take it easy. I was laughing to the point that you might be suggesting that
I would be better off with using an air compressor for my needs. As for the
OP I have no idea if he would have need to use an air compressor where he
uses the computer. For my purposes and perhaps the OP the $10 can of CA may
be perfect. The way I would assume one attempts to answer a question here is
to give a cost efficient short term response that is correct. If the OP
gives more info then maybe the air compressor might be a consideration as
well.

Well where i live in a very dusty desert environment, a small can of $10 air
wouldnt even do the job for one PC.

 

[GMAN]

If you need an air compressor for other tasks or just like
to collect tools, then maybe it's a good option but would be
ridiculous overkill for cleaning out computer fans, and it
would take longer to go get the compressor and move it to
the computer (or vice-versa) than having a can of compressed
air or a paintbrush in the drawer or shelf nearby so it can
be used in a few seconds.

Its not rediculous when if like me, you work on over 20 PC's a month for
people. Just one month of work using a case of cans of air would cost more
than the compressor and wouldnt do half as good of a job as the small air
compressor i use.

 

[GMAN]

It is very rare to find a fan that can't be cleaned out with
the smallest size artists brushes. It is possible you might
only get 90% of the dust out instead of 99%, but it doesn't
have to be clean enough to eat off of.

So tell me, where does the dust go once you paint brush it into the power
supply etc????

 

[PeeCee]

One of the company PC is located in the warehouse area, and that place
is very dusty.

So dusty that a lot of grime have built up in the heatsink + cooling
fan, and the CPU temperature is rising as a result.

In the process of cleaning the PC, I disassembled the cooling fan +
heatsink assembly from the CPU, trying my best to clean away all the
dust and grime stuck on the heatsink and the cooling fan.

The cooling fan / heatsink assembly is joint together by 4 washer type
of stoppers (located almost at the half way down the 4 screws) and I
can't find a way to separate the fan from the heatsink.

This resulted in the THICK LAYER of grime and dust that are stuck in
between the fan and the heatsink to be totally inaccessible.

I tried my best to clean them out but couldn't.

If only I can separate the fan OUT from the heatsink assembly ....

So, to the hardware gurus here ---

1. Is there a way to take out the fan from the fan/heatsink assembly,
without breaking anything?

2. If the answer to #1 is NO, then, is there a way to clean out the
grimes that stuck in between the fan and the heatsink?

Please advise.

Thank you !!

P9 No need to remove the HS/Fan, I've used an air compressor for many years
to do this job.

Tricks to note are.
1 Use a plastic 'stick' to stop fans rotating. Spinning them up beyond their
normal speed often causes the bearing to start chattering at next switch on
(dry phosphor bronze bushes)
2 Heaviest dust is usually in the CPU Fan and Power Supply, do them first
and predislodge with a long bristled brush. I use a basting brush from my
local $2 shop.
3 Fan location: Power supply, CPU, Sometimes Graphics card, sometimes front
& back of case and sometimes motherboard chipsets.
4 Do it outside, you don't know what the dust contains.
5 Watch for labels blowing off, check them in case they need to be re
attached (model numbers etc)

The hardest ones to get clean are those close to kitchens or other
envronments with a lot of fat or oils in the air, but the air pressure
should be enough to clear them.

Printers can be cleared with air to, just watch for small flappy bits of
plastic.

After blowing out wipe with soft rag to mop up surface dust.

Lube CD/DVD trays and printer sliding parts afterwards with Silicon spray to
improve workability.

Best
Paul.

 

[Jon Danniken]

Oh my god, you "DO" realize that you can adjust these from 0 psi all the
way
to 120 psi???? I never leave my compressor on the highest setting, just
enough
for the grinder, or sprayer, or tool i am using at the time!!!!!!!

I've been using my old Coast to Coast air compressor to clean out computers
here for 15 years now. It has a regulator, but the output is on 120PSI, and
have *never* had any problems with it on the hundreds of boxes that have
passed through here.

Jon

 

[GMAN]

Once the dust is loose, the fan on the PSU will exhaust it
out. Any dust made loose from the heatsink will just fall
out. I admit in extremely dusty systems I have taken a PC
outside and used a leaf blower on it, but I would not advise
someone to buy a leaf blower just to clean out PCs.

Yet you make fun of me advising a "small" compressor???

 

[Colon Terminus]

One of the company PC is located in the warehouse area, and that place
is very dusty.

So dusty that a lot of grime have built up in the heatsink + cooling
fan, and the CPU temperature is rising as a result.

In the process of cleaning the PC, I disassembled the cooling fan +
heatsink assembly from the CPU, trying my best to clean away all the
dust and grime stuck on the heatsink and the cooling fan.

The cooling fan / heatsink assembly is joint together by 4 washer type
of stoppers (located almost at the half way down the 4 screws) and I
can't find a way to separate the fan from the heatsink.

This resulted in the THICK LAYER of grime and dust that are stuck in
between the fan and the heatsink to be totally inaccessible.

I tried my best to clean them out but couldn't.

If only I can separate the fan OUT from the heatsink assembly ....

So, to the hardware gurus here ---

1. Is there a way to take out the fan from the fan/heatsink assembly,
without breaking anything?

2. If the answer to #1 is NO, then, is there a way to clean out the
grimes that stuck in between the fan and the heatsink?

Please advise.

Thank you !!

You'll notice a "slot" in the top of each "leg" where the heatsink attaches
to the motherboard.
Using a flat-bladed screwdriver rotate each leg 90 degrees counterclockwise.
This will release the heatsink from the motherboard, facilitating removal.

After you clean all the gunk from the heatsink and the surrounding area on
the motherboard,
rotate the heatsink retainers 90 degrees clockwise by hand.

Position the heatsink on the CPU aligning the legs with the holes in the
motherboard.
Firmly depress each leg until it "clicks" into place.
Be certain to reattach the heatsink fan power wire.

Good luck.

 

[~misfit~]

What is the grime comprised of exactly? If it is just a lot
of dust, it can be blown out or use a small paint brush. If
it is gunk like grease from a kitchen, tobacco smoke, or
other gunk like industrial residue then you may need a
liquid cleaner for best results (having first removed the
fan, and possibly heatsink too depending on how bad they
are).


You make it sound really bad. If there is that much dust
you may have an environmental problem, that much gunk and
dust in the air is bad for the users as well as the computer
so I would suggest a room air cleaner, more frequent
vacuuming or sweeping, and if this isn't enough then also a
case air filter or even a different case if the one used
cannot accomodate filters.

[snip]

He says "in the warehouse area". Makes me think of diesel forklifts etc....