Scratched thermal pad on P4 Heatsink, is this bad???

[JackNimble]

Hello everyone,

I am putting together my very first computer, and during the handling and installation of the heatsink, I scratched a small bit of the thermal pad off the heatsink... I think I did it by accident with the edge of my fingernail (did not realize it was so fragile)...

Anyhow, is this going to be a huge problem or will it be OK?

Thanks!

 

[fredtam]

Huge problem. Clean it off with some alcohol and apply AS3. You can call Intel and they will send you a tube of thermal grease but the call cost money and it will take a couple of days.

 

[JackNimble]

Well, lucky me I happen to have some AS3...

in the directions, it says apply a thin coating... how thin are we talking, and how can I ensure that it I don't apply to big an area?

 

[NelsonMuntz]

If you are not planning on overclocking and it is not damaged that bad,
then I would say not to worry about it. If it really concerns you, you
can remove the pad and apply some thermal grease instead.

<edit>
Just read your response. The layer of AS3 should be very thin and it
should cover the entire heat spreader of your P4. Most guys use a
credit card to apply the AS3.
There are instructions for application at the Artic Silver website.

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: JackNimble
Well, lucky me I happen to have some AS3...

in the directions, it says apply a thin coating... how thin are we talking, and how can I ensure that it I don't apply to big an area?

Whith the stock heatsink I would reccomend a thickness equal to a sheet of standard paper (use a credit card to spread it.). Then rub some on the part of the heatsink that will contact the cpu with a piece of plastic over your finger. Should just be a haze. Detailed info on AS website. Make sure you get all the intel stuff off.

 

[JackNimble]

Well, I'm not planning on overclocking, but I don't know how to judge how bad the damage is...

rough estimate, I'd say the scratched off part is approx as thick as a toothpick, about 1/4" long, and runs from one edge of thermal pad towards the center...

JackNimble

 

[fredtam]

Better to go ahead and fix it.Link to instructions with pics.

 

[JackNimble]

Hey, thanks for the link...

Just a few more questions...

To get the thermal pad off, I use Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol?

Also, am I supposed to put the thermal grease on both the Heatsink & CPU, or just the heatsink?

Thanks again!!!

 

[fredtam]

Use alcohol or acetone. Both will work. If you use acetone finish it up with an alcohol rubdown. Use a lint free cloth. It will take a while.
Yes apply a paper thin layer to the top of the cpu and then apply it to the heatsink as if you were waxing a car. Just a haze. Try not to move the heatsink around when putting it back together. The motherboard clips will provide enough pressure to make sure there is contact (don't twist),

 

[thatsright]

Jack: You don't want to use Alcohol to get that pad off. You use Rubbing Alcohol AFTER you get it off, not to get it off. The thermal pad is actually paraffin wax, so don't use any heat to try and get it off. The BEST THING EVER to get thermal pads/grease etc. off of all of these Heatsink's is Goo Off in a 4 1/2 Oz bottle. I got mine at Home Depot (for $3 in the paint aisle right next to the paint thinner). I was amazed at how quickly it took off the thermal paste off of the supplied ABIT Northbridge Heatskink/Fan combo for my IC7 Motherboard. All I had to do was wipe the paste off a napkin after letting it sit for about 3-5 minutes. When I did it before, it took 20-30 minutes getting the ABIT thermal paste off with just using Rubbing Alcohol. Just be CAREFUL when using it, as it comes out of the bottle quickly, and if it gets on plastic, it will eat right through it if it accumulates on any plastic. Then when your done clearing the pad of the thermal pad, use some Rubbing alcohol to do a clean up. Do a very thorough job, of it as well.

IMPORTANT: DO not buy Goo Gone in any way. It contains oils, that will get on the HS, and 'not be good!'

Hope this helps ya out.

EDIT: Yes you put AS3 on both the CPU thermal spreader & your Heatsink surface. Just read the instructions on the AS3 website. It's very thorough even though you may need to read it 2 or 3 times to get it all. BTW, you actually 'stain' your Heatskink with the AS3; just read the AS3 instructions to see what I mean.