Fixing Ivy Bridge CPU temps: IHS removal

00:15 - temps before mod
02:24 - removing the IHS
10:02 - cleaning old stock thermal paste
12:56 - cleaning sealant glue
15:54 - applying new thermal paste
17:27 - installation into motherboard
20:27 - concluding temp results

Intro and background: With this generation of Intel processors, Intel decided to cut corners and use very cheap TIM (thermal interface material) between the bare CPU die and the top IHS (integrated heat spreader). Cheap TIM does not transfer heat away from the die well, that's why Ivy Bridge processor heat up very fast, especially when overclocking. With Sandy Bridge and earlier CPU's, Intel used fluxless soldering between the CPU die and the IHS, so they do not have this problem.

By taking the IHS off of Ivy Bridge processors to apply a better TIM, you can get a significant reduction in temperatures without needing additional cooling hardware. As a result from this simple mod, you may get a higher max overclock, more stable results, or reduction in fan noise for a quieter computer.

Do not try this with Sandy Bridge or earlier processor generations since they are soldered on, and much harder to remove the IHS. At the time of this video, here are all the Ivy Bridge models that this works on:

i7-3770K
i7-3770S
i7-3770
i5-3570K
i5-3570
i5-3550
i5-3470
i5-3450S
i5-3450

• Category

  Science & Technology

[totallydubbedHD]

30c difference isn't due to the thermal paste, but more pointing towards your poor and uneven application of your cooler.

More so, the paste you used ON DIE doesn't give you a better result over time vs the stock intel paste.

[WhiteFireDragon]

How do you claim I had poor and uneven application of the cooler without actually seeing me mount it? You would think I’m incompetent enough that I can’t even do a simple thing like mounting it.

But then again, if you actually watched just the first minute, you see multiple mounts, with same results on all cores from the spreadsheet.

[totallydubbedHD]

Indeed I watched the whole video - simply put - because a properly mounted cooler doesn't give you 30c differences.

If it REALLY was intel - why didn't you ever bother RMA'ing it?

[WhiteFireDragon]

I can either spend 30 min to fix it; or repackage it, ship it, and wait at least a week or more to get another one. That's downtime. Also this mod not only fixed my temp problems, but it also guarantees that I get better temps than any Ivy Bridge chip intel sends me.

It's like you've never heard of large differences in core temps, similar to OC batches. Coming from a tech forum, I expected you to understand this, but I guess not. But who am I trying to convince, you'll just blame it on mounts.

[totallydubbedHD]

I don't really care - just thought to inform people.

If you wish to discuss it further, come on OCN - and see what everyone else thinks of the results shown in this video ;)

Oh and I hold no grudges against the uploader, but don't be calling me an arrogant prick either ;)

[man200777]

show this to open IHS v=2eFzNpTOaOw open only in 3 second :D

[mattkessel36]

Lol. You're touching the bottom the entire time.

[BSDShoes]

I wouldn't use a paper towel or kleenex to wipe the old thermal off, use a squeegie or old credit card or something, also he's using a razor blade to remove the top? :( Don't do any of this stuff if you're not tech savvy.

My i5 3550 tops around 65C as well, that's much cooler than most of my other CPU's including AMD ones that I've had.

[dfxgchvjbknlm]

For more information on this subject, visit overclock(dot)net's official delidded ivy bridge club.

[dfxgchvjbknlm]

many have done this mod before. For more in-depth information or different suggestions go to the intel delidded club on overclock net

[dfxgchvjbknlm]

Whatever you like to use. I chose arctic silver 5, but pick your favorite and use that.

[xero925]

I wonder if it worked right after he wiped it off with a napkin? Have you seen the facility, where Intel produces CPUs? Its 100× cleaner had a operating room and no dust is present! This is a trick to get you to ruin your CPU! Do not try this!

[John Shetler]

In conclusion, much nerdrage and butthurt was had and nothing was gained. But then again, this is the internet, so that much was expected.

PS: Youtube character limits are annoying.