To pink or not?

[djkym]

i'm sure this is posted around here somewhere, but couldn't pull up anything on the search...

w/ a heatsink that already has that pink square on the bottom, is that ok to use, say w/ a xp 1800? or would it be better to go w/ artic silver?

thanks alot!

 

[Lizardman]

Junior you have much to learn...


Ditch the pink go silver.

 

[Egrimm]

The "pink square" is a thermal pad, it melts when it gets hot and fills the microscopic holes, scratches and such that there is in the heatsink (and the top of the cpu) thus providing a better thermal transfer. Thermal pads aren't that good though, thermal paste like Artictic Silver transfers heat much better.
So if you want the best transfer of heat from the cpu to the heatsink you should remove the pad and put a thin layer of thermal paste on instead (Arctic Silver has a good instruction on their site). Scrape the pad off carefully and lap the hsf afterwards to make sure the rests of the pad are gone for the best result. The reason the pad need to be removed well is that two thermal interface materials risk leading to worse heattransfer.

 

[KouklatheCat]

djkym,

Definately spend the couple of extra bucks and get the Artic Silver. Ditch the pink pad, carefully scrape it off. Try not to gouge the bottom of the heatsink.