Recommended to remove Wax Pad from stock heatsink?

[TheSpeck]

I got a stock heatsink with my p4 3.0 cpu. Now maybe I should just chunk the whole heatsink and buy a "better" one, but it looks good enough, but I don't like the idea of using a parafin wax pad. I'd rather use Artic Silver, my question is, can the pad be removed completely or enough that I can use thermal grease without any problem? I'm not interested in overclocking, i'm more interested in longevitity of the components.

 

[Tiamat]

Yes, if you choose to, remove it entirely and use Arctic Silver. Although the thermalpad is usually good...

use at least 93% Isopropyl Alcohol

 

[Zepper]

Using the pad is fine. Actually I like them better as (when installed and burned-in properly) they're a do-once solution. Greases except perhaps for the expensive Shin Etsu stuff should be redone at least annually (more often if your computer goes thru more than one heat-cool cycle a day). The ATF denizens don't leave things alone long enough to experience this drawback of the greases 😉 .

. Actually lighter fluid (naphtha) or full-strength Simple Green works better than absolute (90% or higher) alcohol.
1- scrape most of pad off with a plastic tool (plastic knife from Mickey D's works great!) to prevent scratching HS.
2 - clean the rest off with one of the solvents listed above.
3- rinse with ordinary rubbing alcohol (70% minimum) with NO Additives!
4- wipe dry with lint-free, no scratch material. Coffee filter works great.
5- Ready for AS...
.bh.

 

[ApacheChief]

I had no idea you had to replace Arctic Silver... I'll have to remember that when I make my new computer 😀

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: TheSpeck

I got a stock heatsink with my p4 3.0 cpu. Now maybe I should just chunk the whole heatsink and buy a "better" one, but it looks good enough, but I don't like the idea of using a parafin wax pad. I'd rather use Artic Silver, my question is, can the pad be removed completely or enough that I can use thermal grease without any problem? I'm not interested in overclocking, i'm more interested in longevitity of the components.

Rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth. No worries. Then use some arctic silver.

When i was using stock cooling (about 2 years ago), it dropped my temps considerably.

 

[TheSpeck]

thanks. I might just use the wax pad since I won't be able to reapply the thermal grease annually.