Thanks for the reply Bail_w. I asked you via pm for some more info on the mounting bracket mods you did. Otherwise Im going for it. I've removed a couple of socket 939 cpu IHS's before so I'm fairly confident. I will take out the cpu and check for soldering. Either way I will try to pop the lid.
One last thing...i always hear rumours that the intel bare CPUs with cores exposed, are more fragile under pressure compared to the older AMD ones? This true?
Im in the UK with regard to finding mounting brackets/springs online for any mods I carry out.

Cheers