cooling problems....

[UlricT]

I just put together a P4 2.4C/ IS7 running @stock speeds..... I bought a generic case with no fans because I haven't much money (poor student.... ), and I have the stock heatsink on the processor. The CPU temps dont look very good... I get 50C on idle, and have had it overheat on me twice in one week, with the CPU going thru the emergency shutdown procedure. This obviously means I need help...

Before putting it together, I took off something that looked like aluminum foil from the bottom of the heatsink because it didnt look like it would cover the complete CPU surface.... Should this have been left on the heatsink? I really need some help here. I know it could be that I am not having enough air circulation in the case... but 70C stock????

 

[Shooters]

I was probably the film that is used to cover and protect the thermal compound until it was ready to be used (don't know for sure though since I run an AMD setup), so yes you were supposed to remove it. By the way, did you read the manual that came with the CPU? It would have told you to do this.

 

[mechBgon]

On a P4, the phase-change thermal compound is on both sides of a foil carrier that belongs between the CPU and the heatsink. However, Intel approves of the use of thermal grease too, so if you removed the original thermal pad, just get yourself a tube of decent-quality thermal grease and you're back up to speed. Hope that helps!

 

[UlricT]

thx a lot mechbgon... where can I find this thermal grease you speak of?

/EDIT: hmmmm.... sounds like i've been up too long....

 

[ethebubbeth]

Just got a hardware site. Artic Silver 3 is probably one of the highest regarded ones out there.

 

[mechBgon]

One good bet is SVC.com, how's $2.75 shipped sound Or you can find it at CompUSA, their site says there's a CompUSA in Norfolk: link The stuff they carry is probably not of the quality level of the Arctic Alumina, but since there is a very large contact area between a P4 and heatsink, it shouldn't be super-critical. HTH

 

[UlricT]

hey.... I think I still might have that piece of metal.... can I put that back and see whether it works????

 

[wetcat007]

http://www.articsilver.com