Transparent warning sticker left on cooler copper plate
The factory protective plastic film was left adhering to the copper heatsink base, acting as a thermal insulator between the CPU and cooler.
Internal desktop parts run on harmless 12V DC voltage and cannot shock you. Simply unplug the wall power cable first, then touch the unpainted metal case frame to ground static electricity.
Common Symptoms & Tells
- Brand new PC build reaches 90°C on desktop with 3% CPU usage
- Fans run at 100% maximum speed constantly from the very first boot
- Cooler radiator or heatsink fins feel completely cold to the touch
Interactive Fix Checklist
0 of 5 steps completedSafety power-off and discharge
Shut down the PC, turn off the power supply rocker switch (O), and unplug the AC power cord from the wall outlet. Press the front power button once while unplugged to discharge residual capacitor energy before touching any internal components.
Dismount CPU cooler block
Unscrew the four mounting thumb-screws diagonally and gently twist the cooler block slightly left and right to break thermal paste vacuum, then carefully lift it off the CPU.
Peel off the transparent plastic film
Locate the clear plastic film on the copper coldplate with the text 'WARNING: PEEL OFF BEFORE INSTALLING' and peel it completely away.
Clean thermal paste residue with isopropyl alcohol
Wipe off all existing thermal paste from both the CPU heat spreader and cooler base using 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and lint-free wipes.
Apply fresh thermal compound and remount
Place a pea-sized dot or an X-pattern of fresh thermal paste on the center of the CPU and securely fasten the cooler screws evenly.
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