11/6/24
Important information regarding the delidding of Intel “Arrow Lake” CPUs
For safely removing the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) on Intel Core Ultra 200 processors, the indium solder on the silicon chip must be heated up significantly. Indium itself melts at around 157°C. Based on our experience, we recommend heating the CPU to 165°C, with several important factors to keep in mind for safety.
We’ll start with a series of essential warnings that must be observed:
- Never heat the CPU in a microwave under any circumstances!
- When handling the heated CPU and any tools, fire-resistant safety gloves must be worn!
- Place the heated CPU and any tools only on fireproof surfaces!
- Removing the heatspreader (“delidding”) is done at your own risk! Delidding voids the manufacturer’s warranty, and any damages incurred during the delidding process are not covered by the manufacturer.
Intel 1851 Delid-Die-Mate Heater V1
The safest and recommended method for heating the CPU for delidding is the Intel 1851 Delid-Die-Mate Heater V1, specifically designed for this purpose. This device is a PTFE-made holder with an integrated heating element compatible with the Intel 1851 Delid-Die-Mate V1. The heating element is powered via USB Type-C, requiring a charger (e.g., smartphone, laptop) that provides at least 65 watts of power. The charger is not included.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a thermoplastic material with a melting point above 320°C and temperature resistance up to 260°C. It also has very low thermal conductivity. Since the Delidder heats to no more than 165°C (temperature measured at the CPU), and the heat generated by the Delidder is poorly conducted to the heater, the heater of the 1851 Delid-Die-Mate can be safely handled with fire-resistant safety gloves while heating.
The heater is activated via the control board, and the temperature measured by the sensor attached to the underside of the CPU is displayed on an OLED screen. The heating process automatically stops after either 1800 seconds (30 minutes) or upon reaching 165°C. If 165°C is not reached within 30 minutes, the heating process can be restarted.
Additional Methods for Heating the CPU
Other controlled heating methods can also be used to heat the Intel 1851 Delid-Die-Mate V1 and CPU, provided they allow for setting a target temperature. Since the indium solder used by Intel melts at 157°C, we recommend heating to at least 165°C but never exceeding 180°C. Temperature should be measured and monitored during heating. An oven or air fryer set to 170°C is suitable for this purpose.
Using an iron or heat gun without temperature control is highly discouraged, as uncontrolled heating could damage the PCB.
For complete instructions on delidding Intel Core Ultra 200 processors with the Intel 1851 Delid-Die-Mate V1 and more insights, watch the following video.