Northbridge heatsink Snap Rivets

[jmsy]

My north bridge chip is running a little hot on a 2009 quad. How can I remove the two black plastic snap rivets on the heatsink? I want to put new TIM on the chip, and it looks like I have to remove the board from the tray and then pinch the rivet from the bottom with a pliers but surely Apple wouldn't make it that hard. I was thinking maybe to press and turn the rivet but don;t know. I have even looking for hours but can't find an answer. I hope someone can help me.

 

[Studio K]

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[AidenShaw]

My north bridge chip is running a little hot on a 2009 quad. How can I remove the two black plastic snap rivets on the heatsink? I want to put new TIM on the chip, and it looks like I have to remove the board from the tray and then pinch the rivet from the bottom with a pliers but surely Apple wouldn't make it that hard. I was thinking maybe to press and turn the rivet but don;t know. I have even looking for hours but can't find an answer. I hope someone can help me.

Why do you think that it's hot?

My servers have extensive temperature monitoring, and for some of the sensors 100°C is in the normal range. For other components, 80°C is the start of the warning zone. For inlet temperature, 40°C is OK.

Don't risk serious damage to the system while trying to fix something that's not a problem.

And who is TIM? Treasure Island Media is one hit on the acronym.

 

[DanielCoffey]

The plastic rivets may be brittle - take care if attempting to remove them. Have a search of this forum to look for ways of dealing with snapped clips.

EDIT : Here is the link I was thinking of...

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...dge-heat-sink-on-2009-mac-pro-2x2-26.1637891/

 

[h9826790]

AFAIK, the north bridge chip is rated >100C. Unless your north bridge keep running at over 100C, there is no need to fix it.

The north bridge is almost always the hottest area when in idle. When the outside air temperature is warm, that chip keep running at >70C is absolutely normal.

Last but not least, as the others pointed out. That few years old (and constantly heated) plastic rivet may be quite fragile now, it's not that hard to break it when you try to remove it. Unless you already have the backup parts now, otherwise that will certainly give you more trouble.

In my own experience. When the CPU heatsink is covered by dust heavily, then the north bridge will run at or above 80C, but still hard to pass 90C. And by removing the dust can easily bring the temperature back to around 70C range.

 

[BillyBobBongo]

And who is TIM? Treasure Island Media is one hit on the acronym.

I would have gone with 'Thermal Interface Material' myself. But who can begrudge another the chance to make a pirate reference!

Arrrr!