→ Cpu delid: what is it and what is it for

When we talk about CPU delid we are referring to a procedure by which we seek to take the cooling system of the processor to a more advanced level, and which is used by all enthusiasts of speed and overclocking, with which they achieve performance higher in terms of refrigeration.

This practice is more common in recent years because of Intel and its mania for gluing processors instead of soldering them. An ideal way not to cannibalize the enthusiastic platform with the mainstream platform. And that's why we make this article.

Analyzing this word, it follows that the syllable "lid" refers to the IHS (integrated thermal diffuser) in a processor, so with this we can conclude that the CPU delidding is nothing more than a method to "remove the cover" of a processor.

Although if we want to get a more precise idea about what the CPU delid is and how it can benefit the performance of a PC, we will do an analysis to know more clearly what it is and in which cases it is useful to do CPU delidding and what benefits you could get by doing this procedure.

Currently, specific tools made by small companies are available on the market that make it easier for us to remove the IHS to make the delid safely without damaging the processor.

To make a delid, we have several tools for this task, such as the Delid-Die-Mate, although we can also get a free tool that can be printed in 3D and that is capable of removing the metal cover of the processor.

These tools do the job in the same way and with the same operation as the tools that use the vice, pushing the IHS in different directions inside this tool to get the silicone to peel off.

Likewise, it is also possible to make a somewhat more traditional delid, which consists of heating the metal lid of the welded processor until the material melts and removing the IHS. However, this is only for advanced users and who have brazed processors like the i9-9900k.

Index of contents

When did the delid technique arise?

The delid began to gain significant popularity in late 2011, when the Ivy Bridge microarchitecture, the third generation of 22-nanometer Intel processors, was launched.

This new processor architecture, successor to the Sandy Bridge, was supposed to come with an improvement in energy efficiency, lower TDP and lower temperatures. But none of this happened. Instead, users warned that the new Ivy Bridge processors warmed more than the older Sandy Bridge.

This caused the process of overclocking with this architecture to be problematic, since their temperatures reached very easily exceeding 100 ° C.

Anyway, it is important to note that the CPU delid can not only be done with Intel processors, since this technique was also popularized when performed with AMD processors in its Llano, Richland, Trinity and Kaveri generations.

With the help of the CPU delid, a practice that is usually done mainly on Intel processors (since in recent years the quality of the thermal paste they use has dropped dramatically), by removing the thermal paste from the factory to replace it with a higher quality one, it is possible to categorically decrease the load temperatures, assuming the same user the responsibility that carrying out this process, the manufacturer's warranty will be lost.

For some time, more precisely with the series in their generations 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 Intel has been using a thermal paste that decreases in quality year after year, which causes the contact between the IHS and the die to be Really very scarce and poor, which in turn makes the processor unable to efficiently dissipate heat.

In which processors can a delid be carried out? Basically, in all of the manufacturer Intel, mainly in the 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 series. Although it is not possible to do it in those processors that have been manufactured with the IHS soldered to the matrix.

Despite the fact that some users have tried to carry out a delid in this type of processors, the result was a damaged processor and without guarantee.

Low quality thermal paste

Intel used to solder the IHS to the processor matrix, a technique that lasted until the arrival of the Ivy Bridge processors. This made the transfer of heat from the chip to the IHS highly efficient, although Intel later replaced this technique with the use of a low-quality thermal paste.

Therefore, it is necessary to keep in mind that there may be relevant differences between choosing poor quality thermal compounds, good quality thermal compounds and liquid metal.

As it usually happens, a large part of advanced users looking to take speeds to the extreme began to look for solutions, until they reached the delid, which they popularized and that today users with less experience but the same desire for speed follow.

Through the delid, users found a safe and highly effective way with which to remove the processor cover without causing any damage to the die of the processor. Thus, the technique of replacing the TIM (thermal interface material) that the manufacturer had placed under the IHS with another conductive material of better quality began.

Almost all people are inclined to use the delid when the goal is to replace the thermal paste with which the processor was manufactured, and then snow-cap the IHS.

All in all, it is strongly suspected that this decrease in processor temperatures is not only due to the replacement of the thermal paste with another of better quality, but because after the delid the IHS is located much closer to the die, reaching some cases.

Before the delid emerged, in order to make the cooling of the processor more effective, there was the option of removing the IHS and leaving the processor without a cover, to place the fan directly on it.

It should not be forgotten at any time, especially before making the delid, that carrying out this practice entails the total loss of the manufacturer's warranty on the processor. Also, opening the processor, which in itself is already a delicate component, represents a serious risk that it will not work again. So it is recommended to do delid carefully and responsibly.

Most used methods for CPU delid

Manually with a cutter

It is one of the first methods that were used when the delid arose, although it does not offer much precision and it does require having enough patience and a good pulse to carry it out correctly.

This method involves cutting the silicone from the processor using a cutter or knife, with which while you are sliding it over the silicone area, with the other hand you rotate the processor gently so that it comes off uniformly in all four sides.

Care must be taken to use this method with extreme caution, since if we do it abruptly we could scratch and therefore damage the die, the process control block (PCB) or other components.

Once the IHS is disassembled, you need to remove all the remains of black silicone that may still be on the edges, for which you are going to use a credit card that you no longer use to gently rub in those areas.

When you have completely removed the silicone, you will apply isopropyl alcohol to the IHS and the PCB with a cotton so that their surfaces are clean and without traces of the silicone or any other element.

When the PCB and IHS surfaces are dry, you are going to put thermal paste on the die and on the IHS, to finally glue the IHS again with a drop of liquid silicone on each end.

The vise technique

This is a classic and crude method that was used for a long time, although nowadays it is increasingly becoming the last option. With this technique it is necessary to use the brute force applied to a lathe to open the IHS. Just by imagining how a vise works, we can realize that this method is not the most recommended to use, since it is possible to cause irreparable damage to the processor.

This outdated delid technique lies in immobilizing the processor in place through the heat spreader on a vise and using a rubber mallet intended to forcibly remove the PCB from the heat spreader.

Simply position a piece of wood against the edge of the processor PCB and lightly tap the wood until you notice that the IHS and PCB have separated.

3D printed tool

This method is considered even worse and more dangerous than the vise, since the 3D printed model must be perfect, in addition to the fact that it is common for people to use a hammer to hit the processor, instead of using a vise. bank, so this represents a double problem.

It is advisable to print the plans using a 3D printer that is as accurate as possible, and using at least three perimeters and a 30% fill. Another counter that we can find in this delid method is that we need to have a 3D printer, either ours or that they lend it to us, although it can be complicated due to its high price, so few people have such a device.

Rockit Cool Delid Tool

This is one of the most current methods and with which you can achieve good results when making a delid. The Rockit 88 can be purchased from the Rockit Cool website for $ 39.95.

With this method it is possible to easily delid the Intel LGA 1150 and 1151 processors, something that can also be done with the other delid tools mentioned so far. But what makes the Rockit Cool product different is that it comes with a great kit of useful tools to carry out relidding, a process that cannot be done with other methods.

This tool is free of the inconveniences that can be found in the previous ones, since for example you do not need to occupy your two hands to hit the processor when trying to open it or to keep things in place.

The Rockit 88 is well priced, as it is an efficient delid and relid method that is easy to use and does its job very well, or at least much better than the tools mentioned above. In addition, it has a good design, is light and comfortable to carry.

This tool was made of sturdy materials, which means you can use it multiple times to delude many processors for a long time.

Der8auer Delid-Die-Mate 2

The famous overclocker Der8auer has already released its second version of its Delid-Die-Mate tool, with which you can delid a CPU very easily and for a low price. In addition, of course, to the security offered by this method.

Analyzing the internal structure of the CPU, we see that there is TIM (thermal interface material) between the IHS and the die, which since 2012 is no longer soldered, so instead of welding, common thermal paste is used in all of processor series.

However, due to its partially low thermal conductivity, it drastically reduced the possibility of overclocking to the maximum limit.

When they are looking to properly cool a processor that is working under heavy power surges, bolder overclockers tend to pull the IHS out of the CPU using some sharp tool or item.

It doesn't take too long to realize that this is not the best method and that it is quite dangerous and highly likely to harm the processor, even for the most experienced overclockers.

For this reason, and seeing the complications of the moment, Der8auer developed its Delid-Die-Mate 2 tool, in order to delid a processor with total security.

As we mentioned at the beginning, Roman "der8auer" Hartung, famous and expert in overclocking, was the one who created the first and second versions of the very useful tool called Delid Die Mate.

With this tool, which works in a broadly simple way, although with a high degree of effectiveness, it allows the IHS to be removed in approximately one minute and without great risks of damaging the processor.

This method is to insert the processor into the receptacle of this tool, guided by the arrow that is marked on the CPU. At the same time, a slider is arranged, which is in charge of cutting the processor, and then press carefully using an Allen key that completely removes the IHS, which is then separated from the processor.

With this practice, it is achieved that the existing problem that arises when the excess heat is transferred between the silicon and the IHS is dissipated so that with this the temperature of the processor decreases in an impetuous way as a result, and without overclocking.

The clear advantage of this method is that once the processor is opened, you can choose to apply a thermal paste that provides a more uniform conductivity and higher quality. With this, much lower temperatures are obtained, between about 10 and 20 degrees Celsius.

Always taking into account the batch number of the processor, the delid CPU will invariably provide higher quality overclocking, especially in Intel 6 Series processors, with which better IMC cooling and more headroom overclocking are achieved.

Negatives of CPU Delid

Separating the IHS from the die can bring us a lot of headaches and problems if we do not do it correctly, regardless of the method with which we have carried it out.

Having clarified this, it is convenient to keep in mind some details so that we can achieve a successful delid.

• Do a careful check of the processor to detect any damage that the PCB may contain, which will avoid unpleasant surprises after the delid. To completely remove the thermal paste from the processor, the use of isopropyl alcohol is recommended. If you plan to delid manually Use a sharp cutter or cutter to be careful with movements as you may end up with an injured finger.Put a high-temperature-resistant adhesive tape or nail polish on top of the processor's circuitry to prevent damage while you're at it. applying the thermal paste. Take the necessary precautions if you are deliding Intel Skylake or Kaby Lake processors, since the PCB is much thinner than the others. You will lose the warranty of your processor.

Final words and conclusion about Delid

Perhaps it may seem that making a delid is a difficult and even complex task, although in reality it is a process that can be done by any user regardless of their level of knowledge and only dedicating some patience and time. And above all, trying to choose the most effective method so that the delid is well done.

A good idea is to replace the thermal paste with liquid metal, something that will work very well and with which you will get superior thermal performance than the thermal paste that manufacturers use in processors.

Keep in mind that delid is a practice that is generally carried out by overclockers who have enough knowledge and experience to develop it correctly, as is the case with the youtuber Der8auer.

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With this said, and to avoid any problem that ends up rendering our processor unusable, it is necessary to know perfectly that in addition to the advantages, the delid also has its risks if done improperly.