Heatsink snapped.. ASUS M5A78L-M .. Need help

Tecknohippy · Mar 10, 2017

Hi everyone. Help desperately needed.

I have been building my first home-build PC. I am using the ASUS M5A78L-M PLUS Mobo and while trying to remove some RAM chips that I have been moving back and forward from the PC I have that works, one of the blue heat sinks made a cracking noise, and now wobbles on its 2 sprung pins where it was solid.

in this image...

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/RhUAAOSw4A5Ynqjx/s-l400.jpg

Its the one marked ''Northbridge AMD 760G''

I assume I have broken the heat cement.. another thread seemed to think that this product was the answer..

''Arctic Alumina Thermal Adhesive/Glue/Epoxy 5g (2x 2.5g Tubes) (AATA-5G)''

Which I have ordered from Ebay.

My questions are ..

''Am I likely correct?''

''How easy is it to get to the underside of this sink to reapply glue?''

and

''Is there a chance that I have broken something irreparably?'

Thanks for any help

clutchc · Mar 10, 2017

The heat sink is simply held on to the board with a couple push-pin posts. One on each end. Maybe the pins just came loose and need to be reset. You can see the image (both front and back) of that board on Newegg's web page for it: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131942

Can you post a screenshot of your actual situation?

Tecknohippy · Mar 10, 2017

clutchc :

Hi, thanks for the reply.

So there is no paste or cement under there?

Sorry for resolution, its very tight in there.. here is the sink from both sides..

http://imgur.com/a/IGguk

I am fairly sure the pins are fine. it just now rocks on the springs where it was solid... and made a fair 'crack' noise when it came loose. It does seem to still be held down by both springs though.

clutchc · Mar 10, 2017

If the push-pin posts are secure, then I can't see there being any issue. But, If it rocks back and forth it sounds like the mounting is not secure. I'd double check those push pin posts. Have you tried pulling up on them one at a time, and then pushing them back down to re-seat them?
Look on the back of the board and see if they both have their "fingers" spread locking the posts.

But to answer your original query, there is no reason you can't remove the heatsink, clean the old thermal paste or adhesive off, and replace with new. As long as the mounting hasn't failed somehow.

You're right, that picture really doesn't tell us much. One has to actutally be there and handle the unit to know what has happened.

Tecknohippy · Mar 11, 2017

I'll take it apart now to check the pins.

However.. when I say 'rocks on the springs' I mean.. it seems held down, but if you push it, the springs give it slack to move.

I am more confused than ever about the paste/cement now.

Is there supposed to be some under that sink? And what kind is it?

Tecknohippy · Mar 11, 2017

So I just went to check it again with the motivation to strip it al out again, and it seems to not wobble any more.

If there is paste under there, I'm saying that its resealed itself over night.

Unless anyone thinks its a stupid idea.. I think I'll just press on and watch the temperatures in the BIOS for a bit when i finally boot it up.

With this in mind.. I have some new questions..

What exactly is the module under that heat sink?

What will it show up as in the BIOS (if at all)?

clutchc · Mar 11, 2017

The 760G chipset under that heatsink is the north bridge. It interfaces the CPU to the PCIe slots and the RAM slots.
Yes, if the temps are good, it is fine. The heat sink should get hot if it is transferring heat when the system is under load like gaming.

Tecknohippy · Mar 11, 2017

Great. Thanks a lot. I'll keep an eye on both.

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