Putting Arctic Silver 3 on MB Northbridge chip, is this a good idea?

[thatsright]

I'll soon have a ABIT IC7 and will be overclocking with a P4c 2.4 and Kingston HyperX PC3500. Anyway, I heard that some people remove their IC7 NB Fan & Heatsink and put on some Arctic Silver 3 grease. Now I know this would be better than what ever ABIT is putting on there, but:

1. How would I remove the Thermal paste that ABIT puts on the NB chip?

2. Does anyone think that a 3 gram tube of AS3 would last for a CPU HSF & NB HSF & maybe a Video Card Heatsink? Or would I need to go with a 6 gram tube of AS3?

If I can do this right I would still leave on the ABIT NB fan and Heatsink, but I just think that the AS3 is better.

What do you think?

 

[SilverTrine]

1. rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs or TP in a pinch
2. yes if applied properly per instructions it should, when in doubt with thermal grease apply less than you think is necessary.

Actually Abit is pretty good about putting thermal grease on their northbridge chips, some manufacturers put crappy adhesives on it.

Its not really worth the trouble IMO, but if you've got free time and enjoy little projects theres no harm in it. Just be careful not to screw up the pushpins removing the northbridge fan, if you ever have to RMA your board it could be the difference between getting a free RMA or paying $25 for it because your board is non-stock.

 

[BOBDN]

thatsright

Check out these instructions from Arctic Silver's site.

"Only a very small amount of Arctic Silver is needed on small CPU cores like Intel P3s and AMDs. Transfer about 1/2 the size of an uncooked grain of short-grain white rice or 1/4 of a BB for small core CPUs.

ON Intel P4s with the integral metal heat spreader, more compound is needed. Transfer about the size of 2 uncooked grains of short-grain white rice or 1 BB."

There are a LOT of grains of rice and BB's in that little tube. If you purchase the large tube expect some separation over time as well.

 

[thatsright]

Has anyone else tried this?

 

[Thor86]

Originally posted by: thatsright
I'll soon have a ABIT IC7 and will be overclocking with a P4c 2.4 and Kingston HyperX PC3500. Anyway, I heard that some people remove their IC7 NB Fan & Heatsink and put on some Arctic Silver 3 grease. Now I know this would be better than what ever ABIT is putting on there, but:

1. How would I remove the Thermal paste that ABIT puts on the NB chip?

I use Goo off citris-based solvent cleaner. Make sure you use rubbing alcohol afterwards to get rid of all the residue.

2. Does anyone think that a 3 gram tube of AS3 would last for a CPU HSF & NB HSF & maybe a Video Card Heatsink? Or would I need to go with a 6 gram tube of AS3?

3 grams should last you more than all these application twice!

If I can do this right I would still leave on the ABIT NB fan and Heatsink, but I just think that the AS3 is better.

The most AS3 will help is reduce your temps by a couple of degrees celcius.


Good luck!