Step-by-step

1. 1

   Remove the rear housing screws

   3 min

   Peel back the tamper-evident stickers on the rear panel to expose the hidden screws. Use a Torx T8 Security screwdriver to remove the two casing screws.

2. 2

   Slide off the outer top case

   2 min

   Push the upper enclosure forward toward the front of the console until it clicks out of its locking tracks. Lift the top shell straight up and set it aside.

3. 3

   Remove the internal chassis screws

   4 min

   Use a Torx T10 screwdriver to remove the green and silver screws securing the inner metal cage. Keep track of the different screw lengths for reassembly.

4. 4

   Lift off the upper metal shield

   2 min

   Gently pull the upper metal shield upward to clear the motherboard assembly. Set the metal shield aside in a clean workspace.

5. 5

   Disconnect the front power button cable

   2 min

   Use a plastic spudger to unlock the small zero-insertion-force (ZIF) connector holding the front ribbon cable. Carefully slide the ribbon cable out of its socket.

6. 6

   Remove the wireless module

   3 min

   Unscrew the securing Torx screws on the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth board. Lift the board straight up to disconnect it from the motherboard header.

7. 7

   Extract the optical disc drive

   3 min

   Unplug the SATA data and power cables from the back of the optical drive. Lift the drive straight out of the internal frame assembly.

8. 8

   Remove the hard drive assembly

   4 min

   Disconnect the SATA connection running to the hard drive bracket. Lift the entire hard drive assembly out of the lower console housing.

9. 9

   Disconnect and remove the power supply

   4 min

   Unscrew the internal mounting screws holding the power supply unit in place. Lift the PSU out and unplug the power connector from the motherboard.

10. 10

    Unplug the main cooling fan

    2 min

    Locate the 4-pin fan header near the heat sink assembly. Carefully lift the fan cable connector straight up out of its socket using tweezers.

11. 11

    Lift the motherboard assembly from the frame

    3 min

    Grasp the edges of the motherboard substrate and heat sink unit together. Carefully pull the entire motherboard assembly straight out of the bottom steel frame.

12. 12

    Remove the CPU X-clamp

    5 min

    Insert a small flathead screwdriver under the corners of the retained spring clip (X-clamp) on the underside of the board. Pry each arm up gently to release the retention tension.

13. 13

    Separate the motherboard from the heatsink

    3 min

    Twist the heatsink slightly to break the seal of the old thermal compound. Lift the heatsink away from the top side of the motherboard.

14. 14

    Clean old thermal paste off the APU

    5 min

    Apply high-percentage isopropyl alcohol to a lint-free cloth or cotton swab. Gently wipe away all dried thermal paste from the surface of the APU chip and heatsink base.

15. 15

    Desolder damaged components

    10 min

    Apply liquid flux to the solder joints of the faulty motherboard component. Use a hot soldering iron and desoldering braid to wick away the old solder.

16. 16

    Solder replacement components onto the board

    10 min

    Position the new component precisely onto the clean motherboard pads. Apply fresh solder with your iron to create clean, solid joint connections.