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Questions about GIGABYTE products => Motherboards with AMD processors => Topic started by: maxi_157 on March 14, 2012, 02:41:25 am

Title: Chipset dissipator "accident"
Post by: maxi_157 on March 14, 2012, 02:41:25 am

Ok, so... I was putting together my computer, according to this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1X2Wpwl4dg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1X2Wpwl4dg)
When I got to the motherboard part, I grabbed it by the chipset dissipator, like the guy in the video did. I figured it'd be the best option since it's the easiest place to grab it from without touching any sensitive part. My motherboard is, by the way, this model right here:
(http://developtus.com/files/placa-madre-gigabyte-ga-880gm-usb3l-socket-am3-para-procesadores-amd.jpg)
Yeah, that thing that says Turbo3D.
Anwyays, when I grabbed it, and when I was just about to put it in the case, it sorta snapped out of place. The plastic things with springs that held the dissipator to the motherboard kept it in place, but the rest of the dissipator seemed to have unglued from the motherboard.
Now, I'm asking if there's a problem with trying to make the computer work like this, or if it was just the dissipator that was unglued and not the chipset. I really don't think it was the chipset, since the other side of the motherboard seemed fine, with all the metal conectors in place around that area. Any advice would be much appretiated, I'm kinda scared.

Title: Re: Chipset dissipator "accident"
Post by: absic on March 14, 2012, 08:16:23 am

Hi there,

from the sound of it you have probably just loosened the heatsink from the chipset by breaking the seal on the Thermal Paste. Personally I would remove the heatsink completely, replace the Thermal Paste, replace the heatsink and then everything should be fine.

Be careful when you remove the plastic pins, that secure the heatsink to the motherboard as, they can be easily damaged. If you find that you can't re-use them then get hold of a couple of nylon nuts and bolts which will do the job just as well.

Title: Re: Chipset dissipator "accident"
Post by: Dark Mantis on March 14, 2012, 11:41:05 am

Just to back up what absic has told you there as I am sure he is right. It is the heatsink that has come loose from the motherboard and chip. It will require cleaning off the old thermal paste and reapplying a small amount of new good quality TIM. Once done you can either use the original mounts or some new non conductive ones.

You should always hold the motherboard by the edges and not rely on a heatsink or other component to lift the board.