A few simple questions...

[cscheck]

I had jsut a few simple questions that I'm sure several people on this forum can answer.

I am building a new 64 bit system, and I wanted to clear a few things up before I recieved my parts a began assembly. I helped a friend of mine put together a 64 bit machine and it was not much different than any other PC assembly. The one thing I was curious about was the amount of thermal paste to use with a 64 bit CPU. I know that typically a drop the size of a grain of rice is the recommended amount, but does that amount go up when you go to a 64 bit CPU?

Forgive me if this is a no brainer, I just want to be sure what I am doing is correct before I destroy a 175$ CPU..

Here are my specs if anyone is interested.

1 x (324033) Abit RX600 Pro-PCIE Radeon X600 Pro PCI Express 128MB DDR Video Card w/TV-Out & DVI Retail @ $109.00

1 x (85002-3) GeIL GE1GB3200BDC 1GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 Dual Channel Value Series Memory Retail @ $119.00

1 x (241592) Chaintech VNF4 nForce 4 Athlon 64(FX)/Sempron Skt939 DDR ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, RAID/Serial ATA Retail @ $81.99

1 x AMD Athlon 64 3200+ / 512KB Cache / 2000 MHz FSB / Socket 939 /
Processor (CP2-A64-32009 C) @ $178.99

1 x Extremo Power Silent Pure PSX-FB550 Power 650W FIREBALL Series for ATX AMD, P3,

1 x (373003) Ultra ULT31582 Wizard Mini Tower Case (Black w/Green UV) Retail @ $24.95

I am just going to use a EIDE 100Gb 72000RPM HD until I can afford another one. I have not bought one yet primarily because I don't quite know all the advantages and disadvantages between SATA and ATA133. Any Pro's & Con's on this subject would greatly help too.

Later all..

 

[imported_Kiwi]

It's the THICKNESS of the material that is involved. For a given die size, the size drop to spread is similar. I can't immediately recall the size on the A64's, but it seems to me I recall a metal shell/ heat spreader, unlike older AMD cpu's (with which I have so much more experience, and also more recently). That involves more area than a single rice grain's worth of paste would handle to get the appropriate so-thin layer.

 

[cscheck]

I was thinking that I would need more paste since the dye covers about 3 times the amount of space on the CPU.. So I do need a bit more paste. I think that may be why my bussies PC is running a littel hotter. I think he only put a dot on his.

Also, would anyone know what the average temp for a AMD64 3200+ CPU would be?

Thanks for the help.

 

[montag451]

Arctic Silver say 1 1/2 grains of rice for 64bit AMD

 

[montag451]

Anything under 50C I would be happy with, but some ppl prefer under 40C.

70C is shutdown temp, or should be for AMD64 [in general]

 

[cscheck]

Excellent, thank you for the quick reply. That is what I love about this site. The people here know what they are talking about and are quick to respond. This is only the first thread I have started here, as I am a new user, but I have read my fair share of info from this board, and Its awesome..

Anandtech RULES!!!!

Thanks all.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Agree with Kiwi, it is the thickness. I have always spread a film of paste on the cpu manually, instead of putting some on and hoping it spread out everywhere. That way, I know it is fully covered.

 

[cscheck]

Thanks for the tip Jack, I do believe I will spread it myself. This is the most I have ever spent on one PC so I really don't want to screw it up. Anyone have tips on what kind of drive to get? The choice, at this point is between a SATA drive or standard EIDE drive. I have heard that SATA drives will get you a little more speed but I have no experience with them at all.

 

[bocamojo]

Agree with 1 1/2 grains of rice in terms of amount to apply. After you've applied it, you should take your heatsink and put it down onto the A64 heat spreader, then turn about 45 degrees clockwise, then back in the other direction 45 degrees. Once you do this, do not take the heatsink off (as you will allow air pockets/bubbles to form which could affect heat transfer performance). This is if you have clearance to do so. This will basically form a round dot covering the inner portion of the heat spreader, round abouts where the actually A64 chip is located. If you can't do the little half circle trick, then I would use a credit card sized piece of plastic and just make sure to cover the spreader very thinly with the arctic silver. Lastly, don't forget to rub in the arctic silver with a plastic bag into the heatsink first, and wipe off, so that it has a slight haze to it. This will fill in any crevices within the heatsink to ensure better heat transfer, once applied to the processor. Good luck.

 

[cscheck]

Nice tips. Thanks boca, while we are on the subject, does anyone run a 64 bit CPU, and if so, what types of heat sinks have the best results for it? Like I said earlier I helped my friend set his up and his temp is running at like 50 - 60. (after this info I think he doesn't have enough thermal paste.) But he bought a huge heatsink for this thing and it really doesn't seem to do a whole lot for the temp.

I will definately buff the heatsink up with some thermal paste now that you have given me that tip boca. Thanks...

**Just had a thought about water cooling.. , I may go with that if I can find an affordable kit.**