How do I remove this CPU fan?

[thebigtatanka]

I'm upgrading my CPU and would like to remove the previous fan to get at the socket, but can't seem to figure out how to remove the fan!

Here's a pic.

Any ideas? I've tried pulling, pushing, twisting... Kind of unsure what I'm supposed to do here!

Thanks for any tips.

 

[smartel7070]

I'm upgrading my CPU and would like to remove the previous fan to get at the socket, but can't seem to figure out how to remove the fan!

Here's a pic. http://i39.tinypic.com/n2co00.jpg

Any ideas? I've tried pulling, pushing, twisting... Kind of unsure what I'm supposed to do here!

Thanks for any tips.

You see the 4 corners ? You see the pins in those corners ? You see the top of those pins, there is a black arrow, turn the pins in the direction of the arrow. Then pull up on the pins.

 

[B-Unit]

As a warning, its a royal b*tch to get back on, so unless you already have your replacement in hand, I would advice against removing it.

 

[vladtepes]

The best thing you could do is take out the motherboard, so you can fit the new cpu and cooler the right way. I would also use some thermal compound like Arctic Cooling MX-2

 

[jsc]

More specifically, you need to rotate each pin 1/4 turn counterclockwise, then pull up.

If you are going to resue the HSF, rotate the pins 1/4 turn clockwise. Then they will be in the proper position for installation.

 

[dragonfang18]

Hope you didnt damage your board with the pulling, pushing, twisting...

 

[AKM880]

^ +1. Make sure when you do reinstall the CPU or new fan that you do install new thermal paste. I personally use OCZ FreeZe and its great. And cheap too....

 

[rubix_1011]

At least you didn't get to hammer and chisel and decided to ask.