Dell Alienware 13 R3, Service Manual, Page: 28 / 78

Removing the heat-sink assembly
NOTE: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer and follow the steps
in
Before working inside your computer . After working inside your computer, follow the instructions in After working inside your
computer . For more safety best practices, see the Regulatory Compliance home page at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance .
NOTE: The heat sink may become hot during normal operation. Allow sufficient time for the heat sink to cool before you touch
it.
CAUTION: For maximum cooling of the processor, do not touch the heat transfer areas on the heat sink. The oils in your
skin can reduce the heat transfer capability of the thermal grease.
Topics:
• Prerequisites
• Procedure
Prerequisites
1. Remove the base cover .
2. Remove the wireless card .
3. Remove the solid-state drive .
4. Remove the rear-I/O cover .
5. Remove the computer base .
Procedure
1. Disconnect the left-fan cable from the system board.
2. Disconnect the right-fan cable from the system board.
3. In sequential order (as indicated on the heat-sink assembly), remove the seven screws (M2x3) that secure the heat-sink assembly
to the system board.
4. Lift the heat-sink assembly off the system board.
28