I have an MSI K8N Diamond motherboard and I want to use a different heatsink for the CPU. The trouble is that the backplate is glued to the motherboard, and I have to use the different backplate which came with the new heatsink and fan.

How do I remove the backplate? I was reading a review on the web and it said that the writer had trouble getting the backplate off and was surprised that he didn’t damage the motherboard. I don’t want to damage mine!

Thanks for any advice,

Miles , , Australia

Good, sensible question!

Motherboards for Athlon64 processors have a plastic or metal backplate with two spacers which protrude through holes in the motherboard. The clip retention mechanism for the stock heatsink/fan unit screws down to these to fix it in place. Many third party heatsink/fan units use a different backplate with longer spacers, and screws down directly to them. When the backplate is glued in place you have a rather nasty problem!

You don’t want to scratch or otherwise damage the circuit tracks on the motherboard. I’ve seen numerous techniques people have reported for addressing the problem, but the following is, in my view, the best technique I’ve yet heard of:

• Get two largish flat bladed screwdrivers. Carefully cover the blade of each with masking tape or electrical tape so that you won’t have metal on metal, which would cause scratches.
• Heat the backplate up with a hairdryer to soften the glue.
• Carefully work one screwdriver blade under one corner of the backplate a little way. Give the backplate a bit more heat and then work the blade of the other screwdriver under the diagonally opposite corner.
• Keep heating the backplate and pushing the screwdrivers, in turn, further in under the backplate until it pops off.

Take your time with the job. The motherboard will ‘flex’ a little while you’re doing it, but as long as you’re not rough with the job it won’t break.

Cheers,

Terry O'Shanassy