Arctic Silver 3 covering hole on P4 core, yes or no?

[spoon805]

On this page that I found through google, it says

On the P4, there is a small hole on the top of the heat spreader, do not put any compound over it.

However, on the manufacturer's instruction page, the diagram shows otherwise.

Right now, I'm leaning towards following the mfg site, but I was wondering if anyone else had opinions on this "hole" and if it should be covered with thermal grease.

Thanks.

Also, what is that hole?

 

[Valvoline6]

I just opened my P4 2.4b and noticed that hole and immediately wondered the same thing! I was just going to ask that very question. I want to caution you about the picture on the Arctic Silver website. That is a P3 processor in the illustration, and P3's do not have a hole on the core.

Even of you do not cover the hole with AS, some may seep into the hole when you install the heatsink, especially if you move the heatsink a tiny bit during installation. Is it harmful to get AS in this hole? How close to the hole should AS be spread? Help us both!

 

[oldfart]

That hole is used during manufacturing. It doesn't matter if it gets covered with thermal compound.

 

[GrumpyMan]

If I remember correctly I think it's there so the fumes from the binding (glue or what ever it is they use) process can escape. It's OK to cover with AS.

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: GrumpyMan
If I remember correctly I think it there so the fumes from the binding (glue or what ever it is they use) process can escape. It's OK to cover with AS.

You remember correctly. Will not make any difference if you cover the hole or not.

 

[THUGSROOK]

if you are able to cover the hole ~ you are using way too much!

you only need a little bit ~ and i mean a little bit 😉
just enough to color the surface, like paint ~ thats all ya need, anymore is a waste and will probably work against you.

use a pastic baggy over your finger to spread out the paste using a "dabbing" method.

HTH 🙂

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
if you are able to cover the hole ~ you are using way too much!

you only need a little bit ~ and i mean a little bit 😉
just enough to color the surface, like paint ~ thats all ya need, anymore is a waste and will probably work against you.

use a pastic baggy over your finger to spread out the paste using a "dabbing" method.

HTH 🙂

Very true!

But if you do get some in the hole (that sounds like a bad Austin Powers joke :Q ), don't worry about it.

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

think of how the TIM works on the stock heatsink...it covers the hole anyways so why owuld it matter if thermal compound covered it lol

 

[spoon805]

Originally posted by: ChampionAtTufshop
think of how the TIM works on the stock heatsink...it covers the hole anyways so why owuld it matter if thermal compound covered it lol

Makes the best sense to me.

Btw, if anyone is interested, I found this video on the application on an AMD core. Link