How does a AMD stock cooler connect to the motherboard?
 

How does it connect? Is it push pins like intels? (I've never been able to get the push pins to work with intels stock fan) or is it screws? I sorta need to know this soon cause I'm just about to place another order for my HTPC so if anyone can help that would be great :D

It's a LOT easier than push pins. It's a metal lever that hooks onto a piece of plastic on the motherboard. Here's kind of an example, should give you the gist of it albeit not a stock heatsink. (The lever is on the other side.)

http://newportyachtdirectory.com/GA-...r_1024x768.jpg

it's called a retention clip

Yep it's insanely easy compared to intel's pushpins. The retention latch has worked since the old'n days and I see no reason why it should be replaced :thumb:

Push, click, secured.

you can do it with one hand, no need to make sure not to overbend the board like for intel. hell you can do it with your eyes closed lol. when you remove it, just make sure you dont pop the cpu out, always wiggle the cooler lose and take it out a bit to the side then upor unscrew the retention and try to go side ways as much as possible. one thing i like about intels way of keeping the cpu down is that no way in hell you can pop it out without properly wanting to.

i had a youtube video on hand but cant find it lol

Yeah, but I've never had any problems with the CPU when that happens. So probably not a huge deal.

Definitely far easier to mount than Intel though. That's for sure.

if you manage to pull it completely straight up,sure...else, bent/broken pins. i know, since ive done in a few cpus from the hundreds or more ive dealth with...:)

I've been lucky and never broke any, maybe bent a few but I've been able to bend them straight or just wiggle it into the socket ;)

I did kill a socket A board as I slipped with a screw driver getting the clip off, but luckily AMD has made it easier since then.

The only downfall that I've experienced with AMD's way is that the plastic retention frame around the socket can break. I had one of the plastic ends break off and thus the heatsink came off.

Release clip, twist while pushing downwards to break the TIM's seal, lift off. I have used that method since the T-bird days as long as you apply downward force while twisting your golden pulling upwards and twisting will result as you said, bent pins.