Heatsink question

[1pyro]

I didn't think to ask this in my earlier post, but.....Oh well. Chalk it up to noobieism. I'm going to use my stock AMD heatsink on my new mobo and need to know If..... How.... and Why I need to clean the HS before applying new thermal grease. The heatsink comes with a little rectangular piece attached to it that sits on the processer (their contact point). Does that stay? Dumb question or what?

Thanks again,

Pyro

 

[Cerb]

You don't. remove the plastic tab, if any, over the phase change compound, and install the heatsink.

Edit: yes, n00biness is an issue. I just saw your other post.
You must clean off the surface of the CPU die and bottom of the heatsink, and apply thermal grease.
You do not need anything special, however. You can hop over to Radio Shack and get some.
If you got a nice HSF at some point in the future, however, you will be pleased with some AS.

Clean it off with a hard paper towel (soft paper towels will leave crap behind--I mean hard like public restroom hard) or take the long route and do it gently with Q-tips. Use either alcohol or acetone (nail polish remover typically has oils in it, as does goo gone and goo-off), and gradually get all the compound off.
Then apply the new compound, and put a thin layer, flattened and smoothed with something like a reasonably new credit card, or anything similar. Then lay the HSF right where it needs to be, and clip it on.

 

[ku]

Just use a piece of soft cloth (those cloths that come with glasses work really well) and I found acetone to work better than rubbing alcohol

 

[LostInSpace927]

Use a credit card to get most of the compound off to begin with.(much easier and safer) No need in worrying about scratching your new HS. DO NOT use rubbing alcohol, only use the highest % isopropyl alcohol you can find. I found 91% at wally world, or ask the pharmcist, He/She may have 99% behind the counter. I use a Q-tip to get the rest of it off with, then use the no lint paper or rag to finish drying the alcohol. This is the best method I have found so far.

 

[AristoV300]

Originally posted by: 1pyro
I didn't think to ask this in my earlier post, but.....Oh well. Chalk it up to noobieism. I'm going to use my stock AMD heatsink on my new mobo and need to know If..... How.... and Why I need to clean the HS before applying new thermal grease. The heatsink comes with a little rectangular piece attached to it that sits on the processer (their contact point). Does that stay? Dumb question or what?

Thanks again,

Pyro

You definitely want to remove the "little rectangular piece". It is a thermal pad, and you don't want to use it with thermal paste...