Heatsink thermal pad question...

[shinzwei]

The thermal pad that comes with the retail LGA 775 cpus....I plan on either using some AS5 or AS Ceramique on my P4 560 3.6Ghz. Do I scrape off the thermal pad beneath the heatsink or leave it on?

 

[GI Ho]

If you read the below instructions to AS Ceramique:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/ceramique_instructions.htm

An extract from Step 1:
ONLY Ceramique should be between the processor core and the heatsink.
Remove any thermal pads or other interface material from the heatsink before applying the Ceramique. Thermal pads can be scraped off with a plastic tool that will not scratch the bottom then the remnants can be removed with a xylene based cleaner, (Goof Off and some carburetor cleaners) acetone, mineral spirits, or high-purity isopropyl alcohol.

Edit #1: below instructions to AS 5:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions_big2.htm
An extract from Step 2:
If your heatsink has a thermal 'pad' mounted on it, this pad must be removed before using Arctic Silver thermal compound. Thermal pads are made with paraffin wax that melts once it gets hot. When it melts, it will fill in the microscopic valleys in the heatsink with wax. To minimize the permanent contamination of the mounting surface with wax, the thermal pad should be removed before it is used and melted. Never use heat or hot water to remove the pad, the heat will melt the wax into the heatsink.

 

[JEDIYoda]

OK..if you don`t mind whats wrong with using the thermal pad??

Just asking?

As GI Ho posted--
If you read the below instructions to AS Ceramique:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/ceramique_instructions.htm

 

[mindwreck]

scrap that stuff off and lap it, then some AS paste of your choice

 

[shinzwei]

Ah thx.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: mindwreck
scrap that stuff off and lap it, then some AS paste of your choice

I read somewhere that lapping is not recommended or a good idea.....

 

[JBDan]

It really isn't necessary on most HS's. If you get a bogus one with a warped base I would just return it. If you get a TR XP120 (their bases have many scratches) and lap it, it has been proved to reduce temps by about 1-2C. Not really worth it imo.

 

[draganjr]

Bring thread back to life....

I am getting the Op. 144. and I plan on OC'ing. Would the thermal pad be good enough or do I move to thermal paste?

Thank you.

David

 

[Ping to the Pong]

its always better to remove the thermal pad and apply compound such as AS5.

 

[draganjr]

cool, thank you.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Ping to the Pong
its always better to remove the thermal pad and apply compound such as AS5.

Thats just not true!! Many people find no difference in there temps at all when using thermal pads verses As5!!