my AMD Athlon X2 4400+

[AliasX]

This is my first time building a computer, so I am wondering if this mistake I made will be a problem. The shipping was still messed up, even on my RMA, so I am keeping it. The styrofoam packaging detereorated, and there is green styrofoam dust all over the heatsink. I was using a compressed air duster to spray off the under side of the heatsink, where it attaches to the processor, and the grey stuff sort of got hit with the duster straw. It left a little mark in the grey stuff. Is this a problem?

 

[Maximilian]

No.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Nope, not a problem should be fine

 

[AliasX]

Thanks so much for the quick response, these forums are the best!!

One last question. The manual tells me to apply thermal paste or whatever, do I need to use some sort of paste? I did buy MG Chemicals Silicone Heat Transfer Compound, but hte directions dont say how to apply it, any good guides if I need to apply this?

 

[Maximilian]

Since theres grey stuff on the heatsink then no paste is required, that grey craps either a thermal pad or paste itll do the job.

 

[AliasX]

Sweet! Now I just have to hope that the tiny circle of the grey stuff I removed doesn't cause everything to go bonkers and my processor o not be able to transfer enough heat so that it explodes... or overheats lol.

 

[Megatomic]

So, did you remove the TIM layer that came on the heatsink or did you just get the dust from the carton off of it? If you removed the TIM layer then you'll have to apply some of the compound you bought.

If you have to use the goop, apply a very thin, and I do mean thin, layer over the IHS (metal cap on CPU). You can use something like a credit card to smooth it out and scrape off the excess. Oh and make sure both surfaces are clean of dust and finger oil. Use rubbing alcohol for best results.

Good luck.

 

[AliasX]

So, 2 more questions.

1. I just put in the processor, it went in the right way, just dopped in perfectly. I pushed the lever back down, and heard a sort of noise like tape being pulled off of skin, and it was a little hard to push the lever down. I noticed that I have pushed the lever as far as it will go. I can push it down so it touches the plastic thing that it origionally rested on, but when I let go it comes back up a tad bit.

2. What is the TIM layer? I pulled the heatsink out of the flimsy plastic "shell" it was in, then I sprayed off some of the dust that was on it. By accident, the duster straw touched the grey/silver compound layer, and took a tad bit of it off in the top left. Also, I did touch the processor on the top, and my hands were a little sweaty, should I put rubbing alchohol on a tissue and rub the top of the processor?

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: AliasX
So, 2 more questions.

1. I just put in the processor, it went in the right way, just dopped in perfectly. I pushed the lever back down, and heard a sort of noise like tape being pulled off of skin, and it was a little hard to push the lever down. I noticed that I have pushed the lever as far as it will go. I can push it down so it touches the plastic thing that it origionally rested on, but when I let go it comes back up a tad bit.

2. What is the TIM layer? I pulled the heatsink out of the flimsy plastic "shell" it was in, then I sprayed off some of the dust that was on it. By accident, the duster straw touched the grey/silver compound layer, and took a tad bit of it off in the top left. Also, I did touch the processor on the top, and my hands were a little sweaty, should I put rubbing alchohol on a tissue and rub the top of the processor?

1. Thats not really a question But the lever should go down and stay down. As long as the cpu isnt sitting at an angle and you can still see the pins then its all good.

2. No idea what the TIM layer is. Thermal somthing somthing probably No you shouldnt rub the cpu, itll be fine, if you drop it, itll probably be fine, if you poke it with a stick itll be fine, if its a 775 intel you could even sit in it and it may be ok These things are a lot more robust than you think.

I actually threw an old socket A athlon at a friend and smacked him on the head with it, still worked afterwards, and socket A cpu's are notorious for being weak & vulnerable.

 

[Megatomic]

AliasX, it sounds like you did everything fine. TIM, btw, stands for thermal interface material. It's what that gray layer was and also what the goop you bought is. How's your system running, did you turn it on yet?

 

[AliasX]

I haven't turned my system on yet. In fact, I havent even hooked up the power cables, or put the heatsink in yet. Because I have waited so long, and the heatsink has been in the open, will the TIM layer have dried?