I'm thinking the thermal pad should at least mostly come off when you remove the heat sink (on the heat sink, not the CPU). Whatever is left on the CPU, you should just be able to scrape off with a card, as you would with thermal paste. This is just from what I've read on the net...I don't have any experience with AMD processors.
It cools just as good as any air cooler without the bulk and weight.
Radiator is only the size of a 120mm fan. Not very big.
Did you even bother clicking the link? The H50 is up to 10C warmer than some of the better air coolers. That's not, "just as good".
I know the radiator is the size of a 120mm fan, but then again, so are most air coolers. Air coolers are thicker, and I readily cede the point. However, my input here is solely based on performance... and as far as pure performance goes, the H50 isn't as good as the top air coolers, thus my comment that it offers zero benefits of water cooling, and for obvious reasons, all of the risks.
I think a big factor here is price. A lot of people these days can't afford to go out and spend $150-200 on a high end air cooler. The H50 runs for around $80, and decreases temps quite a bit. Maybe not as much as the high end air coolers, but enough to where I can OC now without my temps jumping up towards 80c.
In the end, it comes down to how much money you have to spend and personal preference.
One of the guys on this thread is using the H50, and is pretty chuffed with it.
Yes, the H50 cools better than some. However, one cannot avoid the reality that it doesn't cool as well as others. Let's not let our own personal bias for products we happen to own blind us to the reality of the results; results which speak for themselves. Clearly, the H50 isn't as good as some air coolers.
It's a good price, and it does do a fairly good job, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking it's something other than what it is: an inexpensive decent cooler. Not great, but not bad either.
As for the risk, which you summarily dismiss, go tell your story about the lack of risk to these guys. I'm sure they'll enjoy it:
H50 leak - The Corsair Support Forums
H50 leaked - The Corsair Support Forums
H50 leak - The Corsair Support Forums
H50 leaked and filled my pci-e slots 378MB of pics - The Corsair Support Forums
I can see the appeal of the H50, but I'm not sure price is a factor? If the H50 is $80.00, then that's the same, or higher price than some of the top performers: http://www.crazypc.com/products/intel_socket_1156.html
The H50 is a good cooler period. I could care less about reviews or leaks. My next system will be full water.
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If you're suggesting the size of air coolers is a problem, then I'd suggest measuring the radiator. It too is "large", relatively speaking.