Copper shim for PIII... problems? Also, does anyone know of a step by step guide to installing a water cooling setup?

[Spoooon]

I recently posted something about the stuff I bought for my upgrade. I included a copper shim. Someone replied that they had heard some problems caused by the shim. Anyone hear anything about this or experienced any kinds of problems using a copper shim?

PIII 750
Alpha PAL6035
Copper shim

 

[Poof]

Why would you need a shim for a PIII? I think part of the reason why some people talk about getting them is because their primary purpose was to help stablize the HS/fan on the AMD T-bird's core. This is because the cores are apparently somewhat fragile, and the force to lock the HS/fan down on the mobo (and maintain that pressure evenly), tended to make it more difficult to keep the HS level while attempting to lock it in place... The shim would theoretically provide an additional surface over the entire CPU that was supposedly perfectly level with the core.

However with the PIIIs, this really shouldn't be an issue (they run cooler anyway) and don't require the same amount of HS contact force.

One of the potential problems is if you happen to get a shim that is machined just a few mms too thick and you end up with improper contact between the core and the HS. Having this happen with a T-bird would surely mean a fried CPU... It's maybe not as bad with a PIII but the danger is there...

 

[Spoooon]

I was thinking that the shim would eliminate even the remotest possibility of me damaging the core. If it really is a bad idea to use it, I can always return it. Anyone else?

 

[Poof]

From all the months and months of reading this forum (and having an OEM P3 myself that I put GlobalWIN on), the little core that sticks up is pretty solid. The T-birds and Durons also have little feet (pads) on them that are supposed to help level the HS anyway and inturn cause the amount of force needed to lock them down (but that amount of force is what is required for them per AMD and frustrated folks end up applying it unevenly and splintering the edges of the core)...