Burnt out an Tbird 1ghz......how to prevent a disaster the second time around?

[Fenix793]

I burnt out a ghz tbird because i used a cheap heatsink and i dont think it was making contact. Cna someone give me some instructions on how to properly install a heatsink on one of these babies? Also how can I test if its workin. I ditched the cheapie and got a big blue vantec heatsink.

 

[beer]

That Vantec probably isn't the best choice once you creep into the GHz range. I would honestly drop that for an Alpha 6035. The Vantec is a great cooler, but at 800 MHz+ it's just not adequete.

 

[MadRat]

Did it die on shutdown?

 

[Fenix793]

Are you serious????? The vantec is really big. damn cant burn out another....

 

[Fenix793]

It wont burn out tho will it? Im not overclocking or anything..

 

[Eli]

I'd imagine even a socket-7 heatsink that was contacting the die properly wouldn't let the CPU die an 8-second death, although it would probably heat up to crashing temperatures within a few minutes. If you think the heatsink wasn't contacting the CPU, then there's your answer. Next time make sure it is.

 

[StanFL]

Common mistakes mounting socket A heatsinks include;

If there is a recessed lip on the bottom of the heatsink (Taisol is one) it's designed to fit over the lip on the socket. Don't mount it the other way!

Not removing plastic tape. The tape protects the underlying thermal compound while in transit and should be removed before attaching to the processor.

The white plastic mounting clips on the motherboard point down then recess behind them (towards the mounting platform). If the heatsink clips are left on the point, rather than being tucked up in the recessed part, you have no chance of mounting the heatsink properly.

I see this stuff done every day and have seen so many fried T-Birds/Durons I now usually mount the cpu and heatsink in the motherboard for Socket A newbies when they buy them.