Heat sink compound...too much?

[Neos]

Good morning (if it fits)
I am waiting for my MSI Pro 2 ...and have a quick question in regard to HS compound.
It looks to be that you just slap it on the Duron, and then compress it on down (past the pads) ...in this case with an FOP32. (I have removed the pad)
Is there any danger of getting too much on there ...in regard to the L1, L2 ...and other so called switches...and exposed metal off to the sides. Are these conductive, and would too much HS compound create a prob?
Neos

 

[Poof]

First, it depends on which HS compound you use. Some are more electrically conductive than others... Arctic Silver is one of the few that has negligible electrical conductivity with maximal thermal conductivity.

Second, you generally put a thin layer - just on the core. Based on recent posts here, the layer thickness may need to vary depending on how smooth the HS surface is. You obviously don't want gobs falling out over the side. Too much and the paste itself will hold the heat in place and not effectively transfer it to the HS.

You may need to try it a couple times to get it right, but the best bet is to put a small bead-sized amount on the core and then place the heatsink in what would be its final position so that it flattens the paste out across the core in an even layer.

 

[rmn]

My experience with the 'tape' that is installed on the boxed Duron HS is that the tape melts and does end up in 'gobs' around the sides of the core. There was bare metal on the HS portion touching the core. Do you think those 'gobs' around the edges need
to be cleaned up? I've applied a small amount of thermal paste to the bare part of the HS for now. Temp is about 35 C on a Duron 800.
Cheers,
Joe

 

[GaryTcs]

the pad that came on the heatsink with your duron wont conduct electricity, but it will insulate the chip a little if you leave it there. scrape it off with your fingernail, then clean it off with some alchohol or acetone. try to use as little as possible, so as not to damage the core. (Although I used huge amounts of acetone on mine and it works fine) Also, where thermal compounds are concerned, less is better. you want to use the absolute least amount that will fill the voids between youe heatsink and CPU. You are looking to fill the tiny grooves in the heatsinks face, so it has a higher surface area in contact with the processor. any more than that will actually lower the amount of surface area, and reduce performance. remember that the aluminum is a better conductor of heat than any thermal paste.

 

[Neos]

Thanks for the replies.
The compound I am planning to use is from Radio Shack ...I guess the main part is zinc oxide.
The thing is I am so flippin' scared that I am going to break the Duron, and I just really don't want to take it off and on too many times. The spring on the FOB32 really seems stout ...more so than the generic on my K63 -400.
I guess that when I get it on ....I can look down the side before I mount the board in the case .....and make sure that I do not make a mess on the sides.
Oh well, this is all in the fun.
Neos

 

[Bartman]

Don't worry about putting to much on.. the clip has more than enough pressure to squeez out any extra jell from the little cpu core. Back in the P2 and Celeron days you had to make sure you had a thin layer on there becaue the surface area was large and the heat sink would "float" on a thick layer of heat sink jell...

Bart

 

[rmn]

NEOS, IMO Practice a bit on putting that HS on, it will be worth the extra time. Look for little extra's on the HS clip like a catch that may take something like a screw driver head. That way you can apply steady downward and outward pressure to slip that spring on carefully without nicking the cpu mtg socket HS clip or rupturing a blood vessel in your finger! Good Luck, enjoy!
Cheers,
Joe

 

[Neos]

Thanks...
I have the FOB32 in my hand. It looks like I might be able to use a screwdriver...we will see.
Take care.
Neos

 

[DaddyG]

Neos,

Many tests have shown the Radio Smack compound is totally inadequate for the high temps of TBIRD/Durons. The PCTC pad that you removed is far superiour to RS grease. RS grease just dries out under the high temps. Since you removed the PCTC you should get some Arctic Silver. It is the only compound which can handle the high temps without degrading over time. BTW the 'pad' also helps protect the delicate core. Don't believe the BS you read from wanna be Thermodynamics Engineers, PCTC is BEST solution for the long term.

 

[Stytis]

Neos, I was also extremely paranoid about the pressure required to put on my FOP32-1, so I took off the clip, bent back just a little bit to decrease the needed pressure to install the HSF.

DaddyG, I'm using the RadioShack compound and it's working alright. Under a load, my A7V is telling me 125F. This shouldn't be too hot, however I'm open to suggestions. Where did you hear of the inadaquacies of the RS compound?

 

[DaddyG]

Its known tha silicone based compounds dry out over time. Serach the forums. Several people have attended AMD seminars and the word is always the same, PCTC is the only AMD recommended thermal solution. I have seen 'old' RS and its not pretty. I have also seen tests done in a very precise thermal enclosure. PCTC and Arctic Silver were the only compounds that didn't show signs of degradation. PCTC was designed specifically to handle the high heat AND high clip pressure required for Socket A.

 

[Neos]

Thanks...I may bend the clip back some.
Daddy G ...where can I get Artic Silver. I got the Pro 2, and I am chomping at the bits to get it all together.
Neos

 

[Neos]

I stooped by a 'puter repair shop...and he had some HS compound that they use. It is thinker than the RS stuff, so I am going to try it for a spell...until I can get me some Artic Silver.
Gotta get thsi baby cranked ASAP.
Neos.

 

[Neos]

I stopped by a 'puter repair shop...and he had some HS compound that they use. It is thinker than the RS stuff, so I am going to try it for a spell...until I can get me some Artic Silver.
Gotta get thsi baby cranked ASAP.
Neos.

 

[wyckedcool]

I took some artic silver and put a thin even coat on the core using a toothpick. I have an AMD 750 with a stock heatsink and fan. As of right now it's running at 32c.

Neos: Don't cover the whole processor with it. Just your core. Good luck dude.

 

[Neos]

Sorry for the double post...guys. Nervous twitch!
Been lookin' for artic silver (pricewatch, search eng.). No luck so far. Can it be found local, or do I have to special order it?
I put some of the silicone based on ...too much, and cleaned it all off. It went all over the sides of the core. It is really not too hard to get this FOP32 on and off...using a small screwdriver, so I will try to get just the right amount.
I want to do it right, though ...even though I may have to wait, so tell me where to go (nicely, please)
Neos

 

[DaddyG]

Arctic Silver has a web site, Nevin will get it to ya. Search the forums, its mentioned alot. Several on-line stores also sell the stuff.

 

[Poof]

Neos - Cooler Guys is just one of several places that sell it.

[EDIT: Oh... and per DaddyG, Arctic Silver's web site. Good info on how the product is formulated and how it works.]