AMD XP 3200+ Barton

[computer]

I don't normally use AMD CPU's, but a customer wants an AMD platform and went with the XP Barton 3200+. I know in the case of P4's, that thermal pad is pretty bad. Is this also the case with the Barton and retail packaged HSF unit w/thermal pad? Is that thermal pad better, and OK, or is good thermal compound better than this thermal pad?

On shims, I haven't been able to find any Barton compatible shims. They all say "NOT FOR BARTON". I did find a "universal" shim, but I'm not sure if these would work. Any input also on this appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Shimmishim]

a "shim" is not necessary because the processor has these 4 little black rubber(?) feet which prevent the core from being crushed...

as for how good the thermal pad is... i'm sure it's pretty much crap... you're better off removing it and putting other thermal paste on (as5... ceramique, shin-etzu, etc...)

 

[computer]

Thanks for the reply. Someone on another thread pointed out the warranty. Interesting point. With Intel at least, they only want the CPU if you RMA it, they don't want the HSF unit included. If AMD requires the full retail package for RMA, then I guess you'd have to stick with the thermal pad.

I knew about the rubber pads, but I wanted the type of shim that fit around the core and helped cooling since I know these CPU's run hotter than P4's. I could always see if the thermal pad was enough, then if not go with TIM, but if I went with the pad I needed to get a shim first since I didn't want to "break the seal" on the thermal pad in order to use a shim after the HSF unit w/pad was seated. If there are no shims for a Barton that help cooling, then it's moot and I don't need a shim.

 

[computer]

I think I'll add this here as well........

This is insane. What the hell is wrong with Abit and their asinine temperature problems on their mobo's?? :roll:

I just spent hours trying to find out which TIM works best with a Barton 3200+ on an AN7 mobo. All temps are F and only in the BIOS at idle. NOTHING is installed or hooked up yet. BIOS is v14. Started off with a cheap old s370 HSF unit w/old generic white silicone TIM @107°. Tried the RETAIL HSF unit w/the stock thermal pad and it was over 120°!! :Q Then tried the s370 unit w/Nanotherm XTC, Blue II, PCM+, and all were waaay over the 107° reading of that of the crappy generic TIM made for transistors! Temps were all over the place from 111° to 169°!!! :Q So, I tried again with the SAME generic TIM and it's 180° now!!!! :Q :Q I feel the bottom of the CPU socket and it's barely warm!! I put a flat temp sensor under the HS close to the CPU core, and it never gets over 110°. It's bad enough it's not accurate, but even if it gave consistent temps that were 50° higher than they really are would be of some help!! The fact they are about as stable as a "Tijuana crack-whore on withdrawal" ( ) really complicates matters!

Will flashing the BIOS to v15 fix this crap? I see the Readme for the v15 BIOS comments about "fixes 119° reading in BIOS" whatever that means. Maybe it's their way of admitting this mobo has one screwed up POS HW monitor and is screwed up the way the IC7 and IS7 are.

Thanks for any input.

 

[joelnaten]

Those HSF units go bad after about 1.5 years. I've used a few and pretty always had problems after about that long. The Intel retail ones seem to last longer.

 

[CraigRT]

if I build a computer for a customer, I just use whatever comes in the retail AMD package... no warranty hassles this way if need be.

always worked fine.

 

[computer]

Neither of you mention overheating. You've never noticed this before? Do you use any Abit boards?