Since you used the "touch method" & it seems to confirm that your temp really is that high, I'd have to agree with robdos...your heatsink probably isn't installed correctly. The two most common problems are installing the heatsink 180 degrees off (reversed), or not removing the plastic film protecting the thermal pad. 1st, make sure the heatsink isn't reversed...there should be a "notch" on one end of the heatsink that corresponds with the "step" in the ZIF socket. If it's installed 180 degrees off, the heatsink doesn't make full contact with the CPU core. Also, if you used paste, make sure you didn't use too much or too little. And as I said, if you used the thermal pad that was preinstalled on the heatsink, are you sure you removed the plastic film? When installing thermal paste (regardless of brand), follow Arctic Silver's instructions: http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

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Well said Jam. I used the stock cooler on an 2500 for a while and you should not be getting those temps if everything is installed correctly. There is a leaflet with the Retail heatsink that shows how the heatsink should sit. Check it our first and save your $.

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thanks everyone. it sounds stupid, but i cant get the heatsink off. i dont no why. there are 2 clips on both sides, that i cant get them undone. does anyone no a way of getting them off easily? thanks Ashley

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There should be a notch in which you can insert a flat headed screw driver. This will be on one side only. Take the mobo out, and place it on a flat surface. I always use the dining room table with a layer of thick cardboard under the mobo. Place the screw driver in the notch and press firmly until the catch pops out of the socket. Sometimes thay can be a bitch, if yours is a nightmare its worth spending £20 on a new one as pressure is not good. The fact that its tight <could> imply its on incorrectly, as the heat sink will be slightly raised from its socket making the clip tighter than it should be. The most important thing is when you put it back on, make sure the base of the heat sink is flat against the CPU, not at an angle. If you chip the CPU its curtains. Take your time. Go steady. Dont slip with the screw driver, and read AMD's install instructions until your happy with what your doing.

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I usually stick a medium size flat blade screw driver into the slot on the heatsink clip. One side usually has the slot that i am talking about. While apply preasure downward, gently push the screwdriver toward the heatsink. When the metal clip clears the plastic, allow the screwdriver to raise upward while still applying the same pressure as described above. The HS should now be easy to remove. YO

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ok. thanks. i am now taking it off. keep this in your my-computing please, and i will tell you how i get on Ashley

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ok. i took it off, and on the cpu die, it is clean. nothing on there at all. but round the die, the is the left over's from the themal pad. it looks like it had been boiling! it as got all burst air bubbles on it. is this normal? on the hsf, the is a pink squre, with a squre in the middle, showing to the hsf. also, i cant use it now can i until i get some more thermal pads? Ashley

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Get some good thermal compound, and follow the instructions here http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm Its always better than a thermal pad. I bet this is your problem...and your 5$ away from fixing it. Let us know.

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ok. thanks. i will get some thermal compound. i will probly get a new heatsink+fan. i am going to get a volcano 12. i am a little concerned about the weight of it. i will try it though. thanks for your help, and keep this post in your my-computing, and i will let you all no how i get on. Ashley

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You may not need a new heatsink, up to you, your money. Depends on how confident you are in changing it I guess.

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thats quite a weighty heatsink. do you have three lugs on the socket?

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nah. only 2 little clip things. wot heatsink do u recemend? i went for the volcano 12 because it has loads of fins on it Ashley

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