This kinda sounds stupid, but everyone I’ve looked up say “grab CPU by the sides and take out”. Thing is, the CPU is in the socket, the sides are surrounded by the socket “walls”, I can’t exactly grab the sides.

I mean, kinda same thing for putting CPU in, but for putting it in, I can just let go a bit above, and have it fall down into the socket.

Maybe this motherboard is like that, and other motherboard are different, but I don’t know.

The only thing I can grab is the heatsink (which you apply thermal paste to) on the top, but I can’t get a good grip on it.

I can keep grabbing and pull the CPU to the side on top, but I might bend a few pins doing that.

This is AM5 socket btw.

Edit: I built this PC from parts, I put the CPU in, so I know I have to remove the cooler and pull the lever up.

  • great_7562OPEnglish
    5·
    9 hours ago

    Yes, my last attempt was before putting the PC together, now I might want to swap the motherboard soon, which is why I want to know how to take the CPU out (cause last time I tried, I faced the issue I described).

    • rtxn@lemmy.worldEnglish
      12·
      8 hours ago

      Find the motherboard’s manual. It will have instructions for installing and removing both the CPU and the cooler. If the CPU uses a PGA socket, removing it might require a little force.

      If you’re sure the clip and the retaining frame are released, but can’t/don’t want to lift it by its edges, you could use suction.

      • If there’s still some moisture in the thermal compound, you can use a flat piece of glass or plastic. Press it against the CPU’s surface and lift gently. If the thermal compound is dry, apply a little from a new tube.
      • A small suction cup might work.
      • There are vacuum pens made specifically for this kind of work.

      (edit) The MSI B650 uses an AM5 socket, which is an LGA package. The CPU itself doesn’t have any pins that could be damaged, so you can be a bit more forceful. You could even take a small tweezer and pry it out from one of the corners (as long as the retaining frame is off, of course).

      • SolOrion@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        1·
        6 hours ago

        I have an AM4 CPU, and legitimately suction lifted the CPU out of the socket entirely on accident. I was changing heatsinks, and the CPU came with the darn thing. I had to pry it off with a knife.

        • HSR🏴‍☠️@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          3·
          6 hours ago

          That happens sometimes with AM4. For anyone else reading this: just twist/slide parts to break the adhesion. Trying to pry a CPU off sounds like a recipe for disaster.

          • Fenrisulfir@lemmy.ca
            1·
            5 hours ago

            To add to this tip, run the system for a bit to heat it up first before shutting it down and doing the twist.