Main Board Removal

Shut down your PlayStation and unplug all cables and accessories.

Remove any stands supporting your console and lay it down so the right side is facing up.

To remove a cover, firmly pull up the front edge to release the clips.

Remove the cover.

Use the same process to remove the three remaining covers.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 17.1 mm‑long screw securing the expansion slot cover.

Use your fingers to lift the expansion slot cover near the notch by the screw hole and remove it.

Use your fingers to remove the plastic cover hiding the fan cables connector.

Gently pull the fan cables out from under their plastic clip on the frame.

Firmly grip the fan cables' white connector head and pull it straight up and out of its socket.

Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the fan:

One 31.7 mm‑long screw

Two 21.5 mm‑long screws

One 11.5 mm‑long screw

Use your fingers to grab the fan by its vents and lift it straight up to remove it.

Insert the fan so its cables are near their connector.

A tamper-evident sticker hides one of the right‑side inner shell screws.

Use tweezers to peel up the sticker until you can access the screw underneath.

Use your fingers to unclip and remove the plastic grille near the fan recess.

Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove the 10 screws securing the right‑side inner shell:

Four 18.8 mm‑long screws

Two 18.6 mm‑long screws

Four 31.7 mm‑long screws

Lift the right‑side inner shell straight up and remove it.

Use a pair of angled tweezers to firmly grip the sides of the CMOS board connector, holding the tweezers as close to the connector as possible to get a good grip.

Pull the connector straight up and out of its socket to disconnect it.

Use your fingers to lift the CMOS board off the small metal nubs and pull it toward the center of your console to remove it.

Insert a spudger under the metal neck of one of the antenna cable's coaxial connectors and lift straight up to disconnect it.

Repeat the process to disconnect the other antenna cable.

Use the markings on the board to reconnect the antenna cables to the correct sockets—connect the blue cable to the socket marked RB and the white cable to the one marked RW.

To reconnect a cable, hold the metal connector head over its socket and press down with the flat end of a spudger until the connector snaps into place. Don't try to force the connector into place. If you're having trouble, reposition the connector and try again.

Use the point of a spudger to flip up the small piece of white tape securing the antenna cables to the metal shield.

Use your fingers to de‑route the antenna cables from their clips on the metal shield.

Move the antenna cables over the side of your PlayStation so they're out of the way.

Insert the flat end of a spudger under the bend in the copper pipes, near the heat sink's bottom edge.

Use your spudger to pry up the heat sink, applying steady pressure to separate it from the thermal paste.

If the heat sink doesn't fully separate, use your spudger to pry up the bottom edge on the other side of the metal fins.

Grip the heat sink by its copper pipes and remove it.

Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape up and remove as much of the old thermal paste as possible.

Remove all the remaining thermal paste and its residue with high‑concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth.

Apply new thermal paste where the old paste was.

Firmly push the heat sink into place.

Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove 39 screws:

Thirty‑three 7.5 mm‑long screws securing the metal shield plate

One 11.5 mm‑long black screw securing the main board assembly

One 28.7 mm‑long screw securing the interconnect cable cover

Four 7.5 mm‑long screws securing the interconnect cable cover

Remove the interconnect cable cover.

Use the flat end of a spudger to push down the metal bar on the interconnect cable socket.

With the metal bar held down, use your fingers or tweezers to grip the plastic pull tab and slide the cable straight out of its socket.

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the top shield plate and the main board and pry up to release the plate. Work your way around the perimeter until it separates completely.

Lift and remove the top shield plate.

Use a T8 Torx Security screwdriver to remove the three remaining screws securing the main board:

Two 16.3 mm‑long screws securing the APU tension bracket

One 7.5 mm‑long screw

Lift and remove both APU brackets from the board.

Put the bracket with plastic arms on first so the pegs go into their cutouts.

Then, put the metal bracket onto the plastic one so they're perpendicular and the screw holes line up.

Insert the flat end of a spudger under the main board (near the fan recess) and twist the spudger to separate the board.

Repeat this process at different points around the perimeter to separate the board.

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the bottom edge of the board and lower shield plate, by the two parallel solder joints near the corner with the power button.

Use your spudger to pry up the board until the two prongs come completely out of their socket.

Remove the main board, flip it over, and carefully lay it on a clean work surface, so the APU is facing up

Make sure all cables that connect to the board are out of the way so they don't get trapped underneath.

Carefully flip the board over so the APU is on the bottom, making sure no liquid metal spills.

Keep the board level and lower it into place.