Processors And Heat Sinks; Removing A Heat Sink - Dell E31S Series Owner's Manual

Removing the cooling fan assembly
After working inside your system
Related reference
Safety instructions

Processors and heat sinks

Use the following procedure when:
• Removing and installing a heat sink
• Installing an additional processor
• Replacing a processor
NOTE: To ensure proper system cooling, you must install a processor blank in any empty processor socket.

Removing a heat sink

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Never remove the heat sink from a processor unless you intend to remove the processor. The heat sink is
necessary to maintain proper thermal conditions.
WARNING: The heat sink will be hot to touch. Allow the heat sink to cool for some time after powering down the
system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Keep the Phillips #2 screwdriver ready.
3. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
4. If installed, remove the full-length PCIe card(s).
5. Remove the cooling shroud.
Steps
1. Loosen one of the screws that secure the heat sink to the system board.
Allow some time (approximately 30 seconds) for the heat sink to loosen from the processor.
2. Remove the screw diagonally opposite the screw you first removed.
3. Repeat the procedure for the remaining two screws.
4. Remove the heat sink.
72 Installing and removing system components