CPU temps up 5 degrees!

[benhar]

Ok, I recently took my CPU out of my MB and put it back in, b/c I was testing another processor for my roommate. My HSF is an Alpha 8045 with a Panaflo. I was using the thermal paste that came with my Aplha. My normal idle temps were around 39-42 degrees. Anyway, when I put it back together, I did not have my paste, because it is back at home, so my roommate let me borrow his Arctic Silver II. However, when it was all back together, my temp went up to 45-47 degrees. So, I took it all apart again and this time used the paste that came with his Swiftech. When I last left the BIOS, my temp was 47 degrees. Does anyone have any ideas as to what I should do?

 

[Hani]

Try to use your old grease, even if it was the white stuff. See, when you power your computer for the first time, some of the thermal compound fills the microscopic ridges in your heatsink and CPU. If you keep changing thermal compounds (white stuff -> AS2 - > Alumina -> etc...), you might not get good temps after each re-use. It's just like using a thermal pad. If you use the heatsink once, there's no way to perfectly clean the bottom, because of the reason stated above.

 

[benhar]

Ok. I was hoping that might be a solution, since it is simple. I'll just have to wait until I go home next to get it. Speaking of cleaning, are there any tips on cleaning the paste off the processor?

 

[Hani]

Use rubbing alcohol to clean the CPU's core.

 

[todays]

I clean the cpu and heatsink every time I reapply any copound. And make sure to apply AS2 exactly the way they state on their site. It really makes a difference. It is actually the prefered way to apply any heatsink coumpound.

 

[Mitzi]

You should really clean all the old goo off before applying new thermal paste. Have a look at the Arctic Silver II application instructions, they give some good advice on removing thermal paste too.

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

socket probe? dont bother.

 

[FlowerMan]

A few things everyone is overlooking:

1) "Due to the unique shape and sizes of the silver particles in Arctic Silver II, it will take a minimum of 48 hours to achieve maximum particle to particle thermal conduction and for the heatsink to CPU interface to reach maximum conductivity. (This period will be longer in a system without a fan on the heatsink.) On systems measuring actual internal core temperatures via the CPU's internal diode, the measured temperature will drop as much as 2C to 4C over this "break-in" period." -from http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

2) The in-socket thermistor's position may have changed during the installation/removal. I always bend the thermistor up to touch the underside of the CPU and add a little non-electrically conductive thermal compound, usually Arctic Alumina or Nanotherm.

 

[Divebrake]

If the surface is so contaminated that it can't be fully cleaned you can always lap it. Get some 1500 grit sandpaper and simply remove the contaminated metal. Thermal compounds sink deep into the microscopic pits in the metal so you never really can clean them off 100% anyway.