Removing Intel Boxed Heatsink

[SLShermon]

When i first built my pc i didn't have the money to add a aftermarket cooler so i put the intel boxed heatsink on my cpu. I dont know if it is possible, or even safe to remove this heatsink from my motherboard. I want to replace it with a Corsair Cooling Hydro-Series All-in-One High-Performance Liquid CPU Cooler CWCH60 or a Corsair Air Series A50 Performance CPU Cooler. Please let me know if i can do this i would really appreciate it.
I want to overclock to 4.0 maybe 4.2 ghz

PC specs-
BioStar TZ77A motherboard
i5 3570k 3.8ghz
8gb vengance ram
Evga Gtx 560
Corsair Builder Series 500w psu
750gb hardrive
Window 7 Ultimate 64-bit

 

[COLGeek]

Yes you can remove the OEM heatsink. Just pull the pins. Clean the CPU. And, then mount the new heatsink. Good luck!

 

[geekapproved]

Follow the directions that came with the cpu/motherboard.

 

[SLShermon]

Best answer selected by SLShermon.

 

[azraa]

If you're having troubles removing it, because it sticks to the CPU and you dont want to risk any damage, consider pulling the cooler out right after you turn of the pc. That should make the thermal grease more malleable and less solid because of the heat, so you can pull it easily, although this is only true when your thermal grease is really old, if its new, just pull it.

 

[COLGeek]

You can also twist it gently to break the thermal compound seal before pulling upward.

 

[SLShermon]

If you're having troubles removing it, because it sticks to the CPU and you dont want to risk any damage, consider pulling the cooler out right after you turn of the pc. That should make the thermal grease more malleable and less solid because of the heat, so you can pull it easily, although this is only true when your thermal grease is really old, if its new, just pull it.

Alright thanks for the advice ill be sure to do that when i remove it.

 

[geekapproved]

It's best to twist if off when it's hot.