How many use a socket A copper shim(what do you think about them)?

[Sniper82]

How many use a socket A copper shim(or non copper) and what do you think of it. Do you think they are really needed?

 

[Shimmishim]

the little rubber pad things that come on top of the processor are fine... i have gone through 4 tbred b's with no problems at all... and have not damaged the core once... i don't think a shim (ME ME ME) is needed....

 

[bgeh]

nah, i don't think shim's are needed(not meaning you,Shimmishim)

 

[Blain]

I don't think they are needed for assemblers who take their time and do things the right way.
But, I'll have to admit that I used one on my MP 1800+ for "insurance".

 

[Blooz1]

If you take your time (as you should) when installing a chip, you should have no problem with core damage. I've heard more than one story about people killing chips because of using shims!

 

[KF]

When socket A Athlons were new, there were some spring clips that were very hard to get on. In that period, clips were getting much stronger than they had been in order to put more pressure on the interface. In order to get some leverage, people used to tilt the HS to one side to get the first side of the clip on. That used to be OK with the former metal CPU covers. The use of a very hard, inflexible organic (plastic) CPU covering made it possible to chip the edge by the extreme pressure on the sharp edge. Shims got to be popular. All they do is make it impossible to use the bad technique. AMD put the rubber bumpers on. They squish down to just the right height when the clip is in place, while making it almost impossible to use the tilt technique. I think the bumpers are superior to shims myself. Meanwhile, manufacturers have adjusted their clip designs so that it isn't so hard to get the clip on.

I think the main reason for the shim was the popularity of the Thermaltake Golden Orb, which in the beginning had a round base that missed the rubber bumpers.

As it stands, shims are pointless. They sell them to first-timers who get very worried that something will go wrong.

Some people think shims cool the CPU ( copper?), but they almost certainly do not help. Copper is not a magical cooling subtance; it simply tranfers heat. There is no point in tranfering heat to the shim. The plastic or ceramic cools itself just as well as the shim. By reducing the air flow under the HS, shims probably warm the chip carrier slightly, not cool it.

 

[Dm301]

I don't use one on my AthlonXP (I use a Alpha 8045 though)

 

[deerslayer]

Never used one before.

 

[lenjack]

Not needed...often will increase temp.

 

[idea]

I'm not gonna jump on this bandwagon, I think they're great, simple, and cheap devices. Can't believe everyone is so cheap they won't spend $2 to be 99% sure that they won't chip their die. As for temps, my temp has been the same since I put a shim on. Everyone makes it seem like they're experts with seating a heatsink, but what happens when you're putting the clip on and you sneeze? Or your nephew runs up from behind you and kicks you in the shin? Oh no... byebye $400 barton...

 

[alexruiz]

Originally posted by: idea
I'm not gonna jump on this bandwagon, I think they're great, simple, and cheap devices. Can't believe everyone is so cheap they won't spend $2 to be 99% sure that they won't chip their die. As for temps, my temp has been the same since I put a shim on. Everyone makes it seem like they're experts with seating a heatsink, but what happens when you're putting the clip on and you sneeze? Or your nephew runs up from behind you and kicks you in the shin? Oh no... byebye $400 barton...

Good post!!

I use them, and well used make your work easier and faster...... not really needed, but help.

 

[Sniper82]

Well I have owned a couple and had to end up sanding down them both before my heatsink would make contact with the CPU core. If I had put them on without being careful and making sure the heatsink was getting contact with the core then I would have fried my CPU.

 

[beatle]

IMO, getting a shim puts your confidence in the machinery, packing, and handling of the shim above your own in installing a heatsink. If it was milled just a tad too thick or warped just a little too much, it can have a very detrimental effect on your cpu, namely death. I've installed several heatsinks on my tbird. Some of them were a little nerve wracking, but as long as you're careful you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

 

[bigpow]

I had one cheap shim (bought it from a favorite online store), turned it it made the HSF contact loose.
Took the shim out and CPU temp. got down 10 degrees!

I wasted 5$ there.