What if I can't get a seal with AMD retail heatsink?

[UCLAPat]

Hi. I purchased an AMD 2100+ retail with the retail heatsink/fan. Anyway, I placed it on the motherboard with the proper clipping. However, there seems to still be a gap between the heatsink/thermal tape and the die (looking between the hsf and the cpu). I didn't have this problem with my other AMD cpu's.

When I take the heatsink off, there doesn't seem to be even denting or strong impression in the thermal material. I booted up and there was a slight smell which I immediately pulled the power.

 

[Jeff7]

Please take no offense, but I feel I should start with the simple stuff. Are you SURE that it's on correctly? There should definitely be an indentation in the thermal stuff. Second, did you remove the plastic strip that's over the thermal stuff?
I don't know what else comes with retail CPU's as I have always bought them used or OEM.

 

[Wind]

When I take the heatsink off, there doesn't seem to be even denting or strong impression in the thermal material. I booted up and there was a slight smell which I immediately pulled the power.

If u said u smell something...it probably too late. Look thru the installation manual again. Reinstall the HSF...then try to boot up. If nothing happen on the monitor screen...u most probably hv a burned CPU.

 

[UCLAPat]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
Please take no offense, but I feel I should start with the simple stuff. Are you SURE that it's on correctly? There should definitely be an indentation in the thermal stuff. Second, did you remove the plastic strip that's over the thermal stuff?
I don't know what else comes with retail CPU's as I have always bought them used or OEM.

The HSF is aligned properly over the cpu/socket. The clip fits completely with the tab on both sides of the socket. There is an imprint but I think it should be more uniform than it is. The plastic strip was removed.

 

[KF]

The usual clip is a bent, springy strip of metal. The low bend should press on the heatsink at a spot centered over the CPU slug. That is about all that makes it exert even pressure. It is possible the factory did not put the clip on the right way. You can get the clip off after removing the fan.

The usual heatsink has a step in the base plate that goes toward a higher, blank piece of the socket without holes. Some heatsinks can move enough under the clip so this step rests on that plastic, keeping the sink from resting properly on the CPU slug.

Before that TIM gets really hot, the slug will not make much of an impression on it, but the outline should be there and it should look symmetric. After it melts, the stuff squishes out so the material is thin enough to see through. I once had a Celeron that never, ever got hot enough to squish the TIM. I eventually replaced the TIM with heat sink compound. It OCed a lot better then. I don't think you'll have a problem getting the Athlon hot enough.