Welcome to Boardsort™ - Learn - Sell - Profit -

What's the best way to remove the ic chips with the green board and gold corner?

Some use a heat gun for a couple minutes, Myself I use a standard propane torch, heat the chip up a few seconds then tap the board on the table, if it doesn't come off give it a couple more seconds of heat. It sure beats using a screwdriver.

Are they worth the same as other ic chips?

They are worth more then double, In this thread (viewtopic.php?f=4&t=65) I was quoted $16.50 a pound.

Do the chips have to be completely intact or can the ceramic be broken?

That I don't know, I would imagine it wouldn't matter as the ceramic doesn't have any real value, just the gold under it. Best to get an answer from Boardsort on that.

Thanks for the tips

actually the ceramic contains the bulk of the PM's in the form of gold bonding wires. The gold you see on the green fiber underneath is actually just flash plating and amounts less than 20% of Au content.

Agreed. The entire cpu must be intact if you would like the full value.

I know this post is years old.
But for some us that don’t have or want a heated air gun or chisel.
Try flexing/bending the board both ways where the chip is, you’ll hear some pops, then simply pry off easily with a screwdriver where there is space at the edges.
And yes apparently the black cap is where most of the gold bonding wires and value is.