heatsink/cpu installation prob

[ensiferum2k]

me and my nephew made a system the older day and we had problems locking in a heatsink/fan on my motherboard correctly.
we used artic silver and the retail hsf. the heatsink is locked on the sides but the lever doesnt go down all the way like in the pictures in the amd manual. i'm thinking of buying a new hsf and giving that a shot. what are some recommendations and what can i use to remove grease from the cpu? alcohol pads?

 

[Firelord]

What board, cpu and sink you using?

 

[ensiferum2k]

asus a8n5x
amd 3700+
hsf that came with the proc

idle temps=high 40s
idle temps with cooln quiet=low 40s/high 30s
my room is very warm and the pc is next to the monitor(only other spot would be the floor)

 

[Slartibartfast]

This tripped me up on my last amd build - when you flip the black lever over, there's a piece of black plastic that will be point down, and that clips onto the retention bracket. It's not very obvious but if you look closely I think you'll see it.

Assuming that's what's going on, anyway.

As far as removing the old thermal gunk, I use acetone, which is what they make nail polish remover out of. Use it in a decently ventilated area.

 

[Arcygenical]

Yeah, honestly, those retention brackets are tricky... You really have to examine the pictures (either in the manual or on the internet) and get the "arm" in the right position. Then you press down... HARD.


It's made to work, so it will, it'll just take a little bit more research first .


70% Iso. Alcohol is more than enough to take off thermal grease.