Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Heat Sink

Replacing the mini's heat sink.

Use this guide to replace your mini's heat sink. Reinstalling the heat sink will require a new layer of thermal paste.

Sections
Tools
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Bottom Cover  ¶ 

  • Place your thumbs in the depressions cut into the bottom cover.

  • Rotate the bottom cover counter-clockwise until the white dot painted on the bottom cover is aligned with the ring inscribed on the outer case.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Tilt the mini enough to allow the bottom cover to fall away from the outer case.

  • Remove the bottom cover and set it aside.

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Add Note Edit Step 3 — Fan  ¶ 

  • Remove the two 11.3 mm T6 Torx screws securing the fan to the logic board near the antenna plate.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Lift the ear of the fan nearest the RAM up off the standoff secured to the outer case.

  • Removing the standoff screw is not necessary to remove the fan. You need only raise the fan enough to lift it off the standoff screw.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Lift the fan out of the mini for enough clearance to access its connector.

  • Carefully pull the fan cables upward to lift the fan connector up out of its socket on the logic board.

  • Remove the fan.

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Add Note Edit Step 6 — Cowling  ¶ 

  • Remove the single 3.5 mm T6 Torx screw securing the cowling to the heat sink.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Lift the cowling from the end nearest the antenna plate.

  • Rotate the cowling away from the outer case and remove it from the mini.

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Add Note Edit Step 8 — Antenna Plate  ¶ 

  • Remove the following screws securing the antenna plate to the mini:

    • Two 6.6 mm T8 Torx screws

    • Two 5.0 mm T8 Torx or 2.0 mm Hex screws (either screwdriver will work)

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Required Tools

T8 Torx Security Bit Screwdriver

$6.95 · 39 In stock

Spudger

$2.95 · 50+ In stock

T6 Torx Screwdriver

$4.95 · 8 In stock

54 Bit Driver Kit

$24.95 · 50+ In stock

Mac Mini Logic Board Removal Tool

$4.95 · 50+ In stock

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