Copper Spacing for Thunderbird CPU ??

[LiLxJohnny]

I heard that you need to use a Copper Spacing between a Thunderbird CPU and the heatsink to prevent it from overheating ?

I thought the heatsink can already do that, so why do I need the copper spacing ? Is there something that I am missing ?

Can I not use a copper spacing between a Thunderbird and heatsink but rather use just the heatsink on the Thunderbird ?

Thanks ahead of time for your input guys.

 

[SilverBack]

You don't need the copper spacer, otherwise you would receive it when you bought your HSF combo.
I have seen these being sold, but I have yet to find any review site that says they actually make a big difference.
If you think about it just a second, the spacer is sitting on top of ceramic and not the cpu core. The core is what gets hot. The only value to the spacer is that it would be virtually impossible to "crack" a TBird with one installed.
Just my 2 cents
I don't have a spacer on mine .........

 

[HouRman]

I thought silver would be better than copper as the plate. As i heard from some site, you could get a silver coin and sand it down to a plate, then use it instead of the copper one.

 

[SilverBack]

This is something completely different. What you are explaining is a shim. Thats a piece of material that goes directly on the memory cache chip or whatever. Thats supposed to make up the space that is between the chip and HSF.
The spacers that he is talking about has holes cut out around the cpu core and small resistors or capcitors ( or whatever they are )

Here is a good look at a spacer:
Look here at the spacer picture

 

[LiLxJohnny]

Then what is the purchase of the Copper Spacing ? To prevent the cpu core from cracking under the pressure of the heatsink that is applied on it ? How is that possible if the Copper Spacing is only a thin sheet of copper with holes cut out where the core and resistors are on the CPU.

I'm still confused. Dont know if I should buy one or not and they cost like 13 bucks for one thin copper sheet which I think is ridiculous but if I need it then I might as well get it.

So do I ? and why ?

 

[SilverBack]

As far as I can tell there is no reason at all to get one of them..
I don't have one and I'm using a GW F0P32-1 temps are around 48 to 50 C

 

[LiLxJohnny]

Is that within the temperature tolerance of a Thunderbird cpu ?

I still don't get the purpose of the copper spacing ? Any insights guys ? Or is it just a bunch of hype ?

Thanks for your input SilverBack and HouRman.

 

the copper spacer makes a level plain with the CPU core
which sticks up on new fcpga chips,
Its supposed to make it easier to get a level connection with the HS.
I contemplated getting one, but dont really see the need right now.

 

[Gizmology]

The copper spacer for the Socket A/462 processors is to provide a level surface for either a HS or Waterblock. If you are using an approved Heatsink you really don't need to bother with getting the spacer. It may help with heat transfer but that is not its original purpose.

-Giz

 

[Techwhore]

you shouldn't forget that copper is a great conductor... the reasoning to have a copper plate in between the cpu and the hs might be to allow for a great heat disappation.

 

[hans007]

i read somewhere, that the copper can reflect heat back onto the chip, i mean if the chip is releasing heat , it'll conduct off the heatsink onto the copper and back onto the ceramic wont it
?

 

[SilverBack]

What copper does is absorb heat very easily. That's why alpha heatsinks have a copper plate on them. It's up to the HSF to rid the copper of this heat build up.
The thing is that the ceramic on the cpu doesn't get hot, or at least it doesn't on it's own. The core is what needs to be cooled. You cool the core you cool the ceramic. There really isn't any need for a copper spacer, unless you are worried about the HSF not fitting correctly.

 

[subhuman]

just use it to avoid crushing your CPU core, think of it as $10 insurance =)

 

[subhuman]

oh yeah 3dcool has the cheaper ones. imported (ie more expensive) goodies including copper spacers also at plycon

 

[LiLxJohnny]

I see, thanks a lot guys for your valuable.

 

[DaddyG]

Just a warning, If the spacer sits as little as 1/1000 inch higher than the core it will take pressure off the core and your chip will be toast. Due to different expansion rates between copper and aluminum this is a real possibility.