Need Help!

[wngman]

Hi all,
I just bought a new case with a larger power supply to power the new video card I got for christmas. I've been working all afternoon on transporting all of my computer, which was a Dell Dimension 4600, into the new case. But to take out the motherboard I had to remove the heatsink and CPU.

Now the problem is is that I'm having trouble reconnecting the CPU and heatsink. The heatsink is still attached to the CPU. Do I have to remove the heatsink to put the CPU back on the motherboard? If so how do I do that?

I'm just lost at what to do. Any help would be awesome.
Thanks,
Will

[hockey man]

First off, since you have gone so far already, I would recommend that you actually remove the heatsink, and buy some artic silver and re-apply that. Probably not neccesary, but while you are there it wouldn't hurt. I've taken a Dell heatsink and CPU off before in a 3000. That model does not have a CPU fan, but has a heatsink and a green shroud. Does the 4600 have that?

[wngman]

Yeah, the 4600 has the green shroud as well. Is there anything special you need to do to take the heatsink off, like cleaning wise? I was planning on removing it and getting the thermal paste. Do any retail stores carry it, or will I have to wait a few days and get it from newegg?

[hockey man]

If you are in the US, I would recommend going to newegg.com and buying yourself a real CPU fan/heatsink combo. I belive that is an LGA775 P4 in there. If that is right, I would get this heatsink/ CPU fan for it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150056
and get a tube of Artic Silver:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835100009
That would be like $25 with shipping. The Dell CPU cooler is not that great. It is fine for a non-heavy used pc, but otherwise it can be inadequate. For the CPU, how did you get it out without pulling the heatsink off first? O well, you will want to get the CPU on it l;one, clean off the old thermal pad (The pros here can recommend a cleaner) and re-applying and resetting the CPU with a new fan.

[saphalline]

Take a look here (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=38674), post #15. Instructions (or more like a crash course) in emergency CPU cleaning.

If you're in a hurry to get this done, head over to CompUSA. They have HSF units for CPU's (mostly Thermaltake which is quite good), and they have real Arctic Silver, too! (Branded under "Mad Dog modding supplies" or something like that, but if you check the label it's a bonafide tube of AS.) You'll pay tax at CompUSA, but at least it's quicker than waiting for parts to ship.

Just make sure you pay attention to your CPU's socket type when shopping for a new HSF unit. If you yanked your CPU out with the heatsink, I'd tend to think you got Socket 478. LGA 775 CPU's are clamped down such that removing the CPU with the heatsink would give you pieces of a CPU, not a whole one! :eek: