Loose CPU cooler


  1. Posts : 1,092
    Microsoft Windows 10 Professional (x64) Build 19045.2846
       #1

    Loose CPU cooler


    I was cleaning my computer interior, and found that my CPU cooler is loose.

    I have it sitting back in place, but it is essentially unattached, either by the corner fasteners, or by thermal paste.

    Aside from that, everything seems to be working o.k., temp 29c,, etc. What now? Can ! leave it the way it is without harm?

    Loose CPU cooler-20230309_160141.jpg
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 9,810
    Mac OS Catalina
       #2

    Take a picture farther back.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 24,926
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.5487 (x64) [22H2]
       #3

    kitpzyxmsir said:
    I was cleaning my computer interior, and found that my CPU cooler is loose.

    I have it sitting back in place, but it is essentially unattached, either by the corner fasteners, or by thermal paste.

    Aside from that, everything seems to be working o.k., temp 29c,, etc. What now? Can ! leave it the way it is without harm?


    NO. You need to reattach it, and clean and replace the thermal paste.
    Once the CPU cooler comes loose from the CPU... the thermal paste is no good anymore.

    Even though it may temporarily be "working"... it won't be for very long.
    Last edited by Ghot; 09 Mar 2023 at 21:34.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,798
    Windows 10
       #4

    Definately not. You must clean the contact plate on the heatsink and the CPU and apply new paste.

    Also check the functionality of the 4 fastners.

    You also need to look at an installation video as it has been installed wrongly in the first place, so that is why it is loose.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7,095
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       #5

    It seems that the fan+heat sink has never been installed correctly.
    The fastners has to be pushed down and rotated clockwise to lock. By the image I can see they are unlocked.
    Install an Intel LGA1150 or LGA1155 CPU Processor as Fast As Possible - YouTube

    Remove the fan+heat sink and clean it well and assembly back putting a small quantity of thermal past.

    Last edited by Megahertz; 11 Mar 2023 at 08:10.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 1,092
    Microsoft Windows 10 Professional (x64) Build 19045.2846
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thanks everybody for the very helpful advice. It turns out that somehow along the way, at least one fasteners was broken. I probably got careless performing maintenance/cleaning. The debris was found underneath the cooler.

    Replacement installed. Everything "cool" now
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 24,926
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.5487 (x64) [22H2]
       #7

    kitpzyxmsir said:
    Thanks everybody for the very helpful advice. It turns out that somehow along the way, at least one fasteners was broken. I probably got careless performing maintenance/cleaning. The debris was found underneath the cooler.

    Replacement installed. Everything "cool" now


    For technical ability, above and beyond the norm... you have been awarded the...


    Loose CPU cooler-scroll-tech-prowess.png
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 257
    Win 10, Win 7 & KDE Neon
       #8

    It will probably be ok. I had a pc in my art studio which was used daily but neglected. I had a studio partner who used an acrylic spray gun ( imagine a mist of pigment that got everywhere ).....anyway, long story short.... I looked inside the pc and noticed the fan had detached and everything was covered in a fine powder of paint. It was fine, the temps were good, and no problems were present.

    Obviously, though, give it a clean, and reapply the thermal paste and fan. It'll be fine.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 1,092
    Microsoft Windows 10 Professional (x64) Build 19045.2846
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Ghot said:
    For technical ability, above and beyond the norm... you have been awarded the...
    Loose CPU cooler-scroll-tech-prowess.png
    @Ghot, I truly appreciate the gesture, and I hope to be worthy of that honor in the future, but I had my IT guy do the work.

    I'm glad I did, since I never would have discovered the root of the problem, and there were some steps during the process that would have created a few complications I wasn't prepared for. He let me observe. I learned a few things.

    Thanks
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 24,926
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.5487 (x64) [22H2]
       #10

    kitpzyxmsir said:
    @Ghot, I truly appreciate the gesture, and I hope to be worthy of that honor in the future, but I had my IT guy do the work.

    I'm glad I did, since I never would have discovered the root of the problem, and there were some steps during the process that would have created a few complications I wasn't prepared for. He let me observe. I learned a few things.

    Thanks


    Observation is the way to technical Prowess.
    The award still stands.
      My Computer


 

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