Newbie Q: What is Arctic Silver? (answer fast!! about to order one!)

[CuriousAndy]

I thought it was just a brand name for CPU fan/heatsink.. but come to find out its a goo in tube..

How do I use this? How does this exactly work? do u just apply this on the processor? 😕

Will this be useless for my Athlon SLOT A 750Mhz???

Answer me fast plz, thx in advance

~andy

 

[LuNoTiCK]

Arctic silver is a thermal compound. You use that stuff instead of the little pad it comes with where you have to like take that off or whatever. Arctic silver can lower your temps by a lot. Order Arctic Silver II, not regular arctic silver. If your temperatures are fine and your not overclocking than I wouldnt bother, but if your temps are a little high, than I would get it.

 

[Scouzer]

Its thermal goop that connects the HSF with the processor, you apply it usually with a credit card in a paper thin layer.

 

[Mapidus]

yes, it is goo in a tube. I is a heatsink thermal transfer compound that helps fill in gaps between the heatsink and the processor to transfer heat better. You apply a thin layer between the CPU and the heatsink. Some heatsinks come with a thermal pad already attached. If you want to use AS then you will have to remove this pad first.

 

[CuriousAndy]

wait.. u mean I actually take off the plastic cover that is intact with my cpu cooler.. and apply ASII over it?

if yes, wouldn't the goo mess up the inner circuits? I'm very confused.. I can get this for $8 shipped via hotdeal.. someone totally clear this whole thing up for me..

~mOo

 

[dkozloski]

Arctic Silver paste should placed be between your slotA cartridge and your HS/FAN. The slotA cartridge consists of the plastic case, the circuit card inside the case and the metal plate attached to the plastic. Some HS/FANs are held to the plate with spring clips and some are held with screws.

 

[PaveLow]

Moo, pardon me for being curious, but...

You have 372 posts here and you don't know what to do with thermal paste?

 

[flood]

read this

 

[glenn1]

my advice... if you don't know what it's for or how to use it, you probably shouldn't order it 🙂

 

[Scouzer]

Agreed w/ Glen, Arctic Silver is best to be handled by someone expirenced because too much or too little screws up temps...

 

[dkozloski]

Let him learn like all the newbies do, by leaving a swath of destruction behind; just like you and I did.