Copper Shims? To use or not to use?

[spoon805]

When picking a shim, should I use copper shim or a non-copper shim?

The copper shim is more expensive and is "conductive", but of course it has the heat drawing properties of copper. But I thought the main purpose of a shim was to stabilize a waterblock/heatsink, not draw heat. Correct me if I am wrong.

On that note, is conductivity a serious concern? I'm going to putting a huge copper water block on top of the processor anyways, how would the shim be any more of a worry? [I bring this up because one vendor warned against using copper shims because of its conductive properties]

Help me choose a shim, please. Thanks

 

[mrCide]

I would suggest you stay away from copper shims.. I personally got the nonconductive from 2cooltek.. i wanted it for my waterblock.. i dont think it made a difference though.. just be careful either way..

 

[spoon805]

either way????

What could go wrong with a non-copper shim?

Thanks

 

[Garet Jax]

spoon805,

There are two things that can go wrong. If the shim is too thick, then the HSF and the core will not have proper contact with each other. Depending on how little contact, you can burn your core out quite quickly when OCing.

If the shim is too thin, then it will not serve its purpose. That is it will not provide the core any protection when installing the HSF.

I used to think they were a good idea, but now I just take my time when installing and removing the HSF and don't use shims at all.

[EDIT] Sorry missed this the first time around. In terms of conductive vs non-conductive, what I know is from reading and not from experience. As long as they are installed properly, there is no difference between the two because the shim is designed not to touch the bridges or the core. However, if the shim is installed incorrectly such that it covers one or more of the bridges then there is a big difference between the two types. I am not sure what the outcome is when this happens, but I can't imagine that is it positive. Just install it properly.

 

[drewski]

The heat conductivity is not a factor with shims. The core contact area is where the heat is disipated. Any extra cooling will be negligible. If anything it would reduce airflow between the CPU and the HSF; where there used to be a small gap, there is now a shim.

 

[fondoo]

shims ares only for cosmetic purposes only. there not worth $6.00-$9.00, i tell yah.