Can I use regular thermal paste for my A64 stock HSF?

[aldy402]

I just removed my aftermarket hsf and now im throwing the stock 1 back on.

I know the stock HSFs typically use thermal pads, but I don't have any, is it safe to just throw some thermal goop on it instead?

thanks in advance

 

[imported_Kensai]

You can.

 

[aldy402]

should I just throw a glob in the middle and apply the hsf or should I throw some in the middle and then spread an even layer?

 

[Diogenes2]

Originally posted by: aldy402
should I just throw a glob in the middle and apply the hsf or should I throw some in the middle and then spread an even layer?

The folks at Arctic Silver suggest:


http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions_big2.htm

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: aldy402
should I just throw a glob in the middle and apply the hsf or should I throw some in the middle and then spread an even layer?

A grain of rice is a good thing to go off of.. As it heats up and the HS smashes down against it, it tends to spread out

Never use too much, better off with a little less, than too much.

 

[aldy402]

wow thanks guys esp. for the AS link, that was pretty informative

 

[theMan]

yeah, my cpu is running really cool. i put a dot in the middle, and let the hsf squish it down.

 

[krcat1]

Originally posted by: theman
yeah, my cpu is running really cool. i put a dot in the middle, and let the hsf squish it down.

I have used the AS5 dot-in-the-center method, and this has helped keep my P4 at a cool temps.

 

[Jimmah]

You know what I wish mfg's would do but I know will never ever happen? That the bottom of the heatsinks and mounting surface of the cpu heat spreaders get totally milled to gauge block accuracy, then we could just wring in the parts without any thermal compound, I imagine the heat transfer would be MANY times better than the compunds used today. Just a thought...

 

[aldy402]

what the hell did he just say??????????

 

[Jimmah]

Originally posted by: aldy402
what the hell did he just say??????????

You can take two surfaces that're lapped (proper machining lapping to a surface quality of 2 or less, not the silly polishing everyone thinks is lapping) and if cleaned right can be 'wrung' together, like twisting their respective surfaces against one another, and if done right is like one solid piece of material (almost). If I ever get brave enough I may try it out, all depends on if don't screw up the heat spreader or not. It would almost be like on-die cooling, or something along those lines.

 

[nellienelson1]

to get the surfaces down to a low enough Ra to be able to do what you suggest would increase the cost incredably(spelling!!) as just to quote my revision notes, to increase the surface finish from what it is now to a lapped one where the hs and cpu would 'stick' together would take somewhere in the region of 20 times longer, so yes it would be lovely but at the same time this hobby would increase in price even more!!!

 

[Jimmah]

Yeah I totally agree on the price increase, but if you had yor own facilities or if it was a special offer or something it would be killer, hell even if it was just the heat spreader/heatsink it would make a huge difference, kinda if a company offered it as an upgrade or something. If I had the equipment I'd givver a try.

 

[DrT]

Try and get Artic Ceramique.. its the best for cooling AMD64

 

[ronach]

Oh yes, lapping and wringing, reminds me of my old AF PMEL days doin some Dimensional work. Wringem and stackem, heh, I'd just like to have the price of a good set of gauge blocks in me hand to buy the next vid card that comes out that suits me fancy. As far as thermal paste goes, I've been using the same tube of goop I bought at Radio Shack for at least ten years, maybe 15, time has a way of going. Spread it thin and keep the heat sink clean of dust buildup, you don't need that expensive stuff, the marketing boys just make you think you do. ronach