P4 - Is my Heat Sink on right?

[SteelCityFan]

How can I tell if my heatsink is on right / touching the P4? I am running a 1.8A at 2.0 right now under stress (Prime95) the CPU temp as reported by the mobo utility is around 58-59c. It hangs at 45 while just surfing the web etc.

This seems high to me based on what I have seen others reporting. Why is this?

This is my first socket CPU (first one I have built anyway), so I am a little concerned that the CPU is not touching the heatsink. Is this possible when the levers are completely secure etc?

BTW, the heatsink feels only slightly warm to the touch, and the system has been rock stable so far.

Thanks

 

[John]

[*]Check the (4) plastic pins that hold the main base bracket on the mobo, are they secure?
[*]Remove & the factory aluminum/black thremal pad and clean the heatsink base with alcohol or goof off.
[*]Clean the cpu core off and apply a THIN layer of thermal compound
[*]Place the heatsink on top of the cpu core. It will fit snugly in the main base bracket.
[*]Clip the fan assembly on all four corners of the main base bracket "fingers", and pull each lever 180 degrees to lock it down.

 

[SteelCityFan]

What do I clean the CPU core off with?

Also, the pad is thicker than a layer of thermal compound right? Is there a chance this will leave a gap (for lack of a better word) between the HS and the CPU?

Once the pad is pulled off, it is unusable I assume right?

How much is a thin layer?.. lol

 

[Sundog]

Thanks John...Will be doing my first P4 today and can use that info! Actually will be doing 3 P4's today...

 

[John]

<< What do I clean the CPU core off with? >>



Alcohol or goof off will work fine.



<< Also, the pad is thicker than a layer of thermal compound right? Is there a chance this will leave a gap (for lack of a better word) between the HS and the CPU? >>



Yes it is thicker. The retail heatsink has a thin piece of aluminum coated with black thermal compound. It will work fine for most people, but since you seem to be having a temp. problem, we need to try something else.



<< Once the pad is pulled off, it is unusable I assume right? >>



Yes.



<< How much is a thin layer?.. lol >>



About this thin: _______ I suppose a good way to describe it would be "paper thin" coat.
Some good tips here.

Mike, are you trying to find a really good o/c'er or building systems for customers?

 

[SteelCityFan]

A little hard to believe that I would see a very big difference with the AS. Is the thermal pad that bad? What would you expect it to drop to? I have seen some people saying their P4 1.8's are running 30c on idle etc. That is 15c lower than mine running idle at 1.8.

The 4 plastic pins are down all the way.. I pushed them reasonable hard... after they went down to where I thought was the farthest they would go.

I am going to shut down in a minute and simply try re-seating the Heat Sink since I don't have any AS. I'll get some from a guy at work who offered the other day.

 

[Sundog]

<< Mike, are you trying to find a really good o/c'er or building systems for customers? >>


Hehehe John: Both! I have to build 2 systems for customers and 1 for me. So I might as well find the best OCing CPU for myself as my customer's rigs will be running stock speeds.



<< A little hard to believe that I would see a very big difference with the AS >>


It all has to do with what will transfer the heat the best.



<< am going to shut down in a minute and simply try re-seating the Heat Sink >>


If you are using a thermal pad I would not do that.

 

[Rectalfier]

I have heard that P4 mobo's report the wrong temps. Check your temps in Sandra or another program.

 

[SteelCityFan]

Too late on reseating the Heat Sink while using a thermal pad.

The CPU was definately touching the thermal pad.. there are marks on the pad, and a small part of it transfered onto the CPU.

Upon reboot, the cpu is running at the same temp. I have backed it down to 1800Mhz, and will not push it again until after I try the AC and the temps drop.

I powered down and went into the bios, and it is showing the same temp so I don't think it is a software issue.


On a side note, the week 10 2002 8 device Samsung RIMMS are cool to the touch which is different than what I have heard... maybe it is because they are so new.




What should I use to clean it with the alcohol? Paper towel? Washcloth?


Finally, is there any store you could think of that would have Artic Silver in stock and open on Sunday?

thanks again for the help.

 

[SteelCityFan]

<< I have heard that P4 mobo's report the wrong temps. Check your temps in Sandra or another program. >>




Sandra says the same thing as Winbond.


I am running 55c under load at the stock speeds (using Prime95 torture test)

 

[Jgtdragon]

Mike,
Going to the dark side huh? hehe.. I save a sit for ya.