FOP-32-1 thermal pad sufficient for Duron 600? ***New to o/c'ing***

[joshdoe]

I just got a retail version of the Duron 600, but decided to replace the HSF. I ordered a GloablWin FOP-32-1 HSF. There is a thermal pad on the HSF, is this sufficient for moderately overclocking the 600? I'm not looking for anything big, maybe 800 or so.

Also, if I install the HSF with the thermal pad, and then later decide to put on thermal grease, can I do that? I'd like to get my system up as soon as I can, and I don't want to pay $15 and wait another week for grease that'll only increase my speed by a few MHZ. Thanks

 

[WellDuhh]

Yes, it should be fine. I'm not sure about the GlobalWin, but most
AMD approved heatsinks come with a phase-change compound pad on it.
The compound is supposed to conform to the CPU,and when heated it
cures(?), promoting good heat transference. Since you are going to
be using a KT7, you can use the onboard temperature sensor to monitor
the CPUs temp. With my cheap CoolerMaster, I'm getting readings
between 40-43*C, while running a 600 at770Mhz.(it will run up to 950Mhz,but that sucker gets hot!) :Q If you get readings higher than
that, especially in the 50-60*C range while clocked at the 600Mhz default, then STOP!,because your heatsink is not making good contact with the processor. Try reseating it, or go with a good thermal grease.

Good luck.

 

[slipperyslope]

I have the FOP32-1 and I have had nightmares with the thermal pad. I am waiting for my Arctic silver before I try it again.

Jim

 

[joshdoe]

Can you give me more details about that? Was it the thermal pad difficult to remove, or did it keep the heat up, or what?

 

[DaddyG]

Slipperyslope,

More details reagarding your nightmares please. Did you remove the protective plastic, sometimes there is two layers.
Temps will show a little high until the compound goes through the first thermal cycle. BTW, the so called pad is only 5/1000 inch thick.

 

[Nevin]

A thermal pad that is 5/1000 of an inch thick is still at least 125 times thicker than the metal or metal oxide particles in good thermal compound. When it comes to the CPU to heatsink interface, we are trying to eliminate gaps ranging from 5/1000 of an inch to 1/100000 of an inch.

Nevin

 

[joshdoe]

How much cooler does good thermal grease keep the CPU compared to the thermal pad on this HSF? If it makes a difference from being able to safely run a CPU 30mhz faster, than it isn't worth it to me.

 

[DaddyG]

Nevin,
What you don't mention is that with Phase Change Thermal Compound, its not neccessary to remove any gaps. When the 'change' occurs the gaps are filled by the compound. Its one of the known benefits as apposed to thermal grease which tends to 'run' away or dry out under high heat.

Joshdoe,
AMD recommends PCTC, to my knowledge they do not recommend any other thermal compounds. With the possible exception of Artic Silver, PCTC will stay stable much longer under the higher temps of the Athlon processor.

 

[Nevin]

DaddyG,

In 25+ years of thermal engineering and thousands of controlled tests, I have yet to see a phase change material and/or thermal pad that performed as well as even a mediocre thermal compound. CPU to heatsink interfaces are not subject to the 250C+ temperatures where some thermal compounds have problems so any additional high temperature headroom is irrelevant.

My belief is that AMD specifies phase change material for the Tbird and Duron, not for its superior thermal conduction or longevity, but for the cushioning effect and protection that the additional thickness of soft, compliant material provides between the CPU core and the heatsink.

Nevin

 

[bonkers325]

i would remove it
but its a bitche to do it

 

[DaddyG]

Nevin,

The temps don't have to be that high for silcone based thermal grease to dry out. The cushioning effect of the compound, prior to undergoing the change is zero. As a 25 year vet, why don't you take a look at the specs from some of the manufactures of PCTC. Do you really think that this compound was developed, tested and approved by AMD just so that can be removed and replaced by Radioshack junk. Even Itel provides the compund on its retail Pee3's AND they void the warranty if its removed. aavid. Look at the graph comparing the two.

Additionally, most people fail to apply thermal grease correctly. After spending almost 35 years in the Computer Industry, I find that following the manufacturers recommendations provides the desired results.

 

[Nevin]

DaddyG,

According to Aavid's graph, if I subject the thermal compound to a 50C temperature swing 25000 times, the CPU temperature will increase about 2C.

From 100% usage to computer powered off only subjects the thermal compound to a 20C to 25C temperature swing and I would have to turn the computer on and off 5 times a day for 14 years to reach the 25,000 cycles.

Considering that quality thermal grease provides a 4C to 8C advantage over PCTC, I am willing to risk loosing 35% to 50% of that advantage over 14 to 20 years. (Since the temp swing is smaller than Aavid tested with, I will assume it will take longer to degrade the grease.)

But I will agree with you on one thing; people who follow the manufacturer's recommendations and run their CPU at default speed and voltage with the default cooling, will obtain the results the manufacturer intended.

Anybody here who fits that description?

Nevin

 

[DaddyG]

So Nevin, what do you consider quality thermal grease. ALL silicone based product will dry out over time. Thermal cycles do NOT mean power on/off. CPU temps vary considerably with application. I still maintain that, with the possible exception of Artic Silver, 99% of the people who view this forum, degrade the thermal interface by removing the PCTC and using some kind of grease. Of the people using Artic Silver, 50% plus probably apply way too much. As a qualified Thermal Engineer, you know that over application seriously degrades the thermal interface.