If you have recently built an AMD Ryzen system or upgraded your cooling system, you may have encountered a particular problem with the AM4 socket. When attempting to remove the cooler, the CPU is pulled out of the socket even though the retaining arm is locked in place. The thermal paste effectively bonds the chip to the cooler, and the socket itself does not grip the CPU tightly enough to win this tug-of-war.

A new solution to this problem has appeared on the Chiphell forum. It does not interfere with the top of the heatspreader, so it does not adversely affect cooling, but it does hold the CPU in place so that the Ryzen processor is not pulled out with it when the cooler is removed.

It is not a universal solution at this time, as there is a standoff and the height needs to be appropriate for the cooler being used, but it should not be too difficult to make this work with more coolers. The retention bracket is only available in China at this time, but given the interest and simplicity of the design, we expect other cooler manufacturers to adopt it soon.

We welcome this bracket, but is this really a problem for the majority of builders? It would be more convenient for those who change CPUs and coolers regularly, but that would be hardly everyone. the CPU sticking phenomenon could easily be avoided. the bracket would also be more convenient for those who use a cooler for their CPUs. Either twist when removing the cooler or move the machine before removing it to warm up the thermal paste so it can be easily removed.

I have recently done a lot of testing with AMD CPUs for the upcoming Ryzen 3000 XT chip and have not once successfully pulled the chip out of the socket to avoid bending the pins when removing the CPU from the cooler.

It is worth noting that it is widely accepted that AMD may change the socket next year and that the Zen 4 will need a new socket. As such, this may not be what is needed for the AM5 socket (or whatever it is called).