Retail Thermal Paste?

[ryant]

Building my new system on the DFI nf4 board, I came to the part where you put the TIM on the processor heat sink - last time i did this was 4 years ago so i proceeded slowly..

I installed the CPU and then placed the HSF unit on top to see how it would fit, then removed it. Thats when i saw the CPU had a thin layer of paste on it, and looking at the underside of the HSF unit i saw a small square patch of TIM paste...

Not knowing what it was, i wiped the paste from the CPU (didnt touch the "Retail paste" on the HSF unit) using a soft cloth and applied Arctic Silver 5 to it (Just 1.5 grains as per the instuctions on the articsilver website) and applied the HSF unit.

Now Im reading the DFI manual (found seperatley on the web and not included with the boxed kit) and i come across these lines:

"Do not apply the paste if the fan / heat sink already has a patch
of thermal paste on its underside. Peel the strip that covers the
paste before you place the fan / heat sink on top of the CPU."

What do I do now?

 

[ryant]

Done a bit more research, turns out its not thermal paste at all, its a thermal pad.

Whats confusing is that in all the documentation ive read on the processor and heatsinks and instalation of the two, never is there a mention of a thermal pad on the bottom.

To add to this: The AMD64 3200+ manual specifically states that use of a thermal interface material with the processor is an important part of the installation procedure, and makes no mention of the thermal pad.

 

[TheStu]

THe thermal pad qualifies as a TIM (thermal interface material...) they apparently assumed you would identify the thermal pad for what it was and leave it be... what you can do is take a razor blade (its what I use at least.. others might have other suggestions) and carefully scrape off the Thermal pad on the bottom of the heatsink.. then take some 90% or better isopropyl alcohol and thoroughly clean both the heatsink and CPU. then apply the Arctic silver 5 and you should be golden... or silver I suppose...

 

[ryant]

Thanks, sounds like a plan.
Just gota find a place that sells the isopropyl alcohol now.

 

[TheStu]

CVS.... RiteAid.. walmart... take your pick.. and then head to the pharmacy area.

 

[LTC8K6]

I installed the CPU and then placed the HSF unit on top to see how it would fit, then removed it. Thats when i saw the CPU had a thin layer of paste on it, and looking at the underside of the HSF unit i saw a small square patch of TIM paste...

Well, you needed to replace the TIM pad anyway, since it's really only a one use item. IT needs to be replaced after it has been used once and removed. You likely seriously reduced it's effectiveness by attaching and removing the HSF.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6

I installed the CPU and then placed the HSF unit on top to see how it would fit, then removed it. Thats when i saw the CPU had a thin layer of paste on it, and looking at the underside of the HSF unit i saw a small square patch of TIM paste...

Well, you needed to replace the TIM pad anyway, since it's really only a one use item. IT needs to be replaced after it has been used once and removed. You likely seriously reduced it's effectiveness by attaching and removing the HSF.

he's not wrong...

 

[ryant]

Yeah, youre right.

Anyway, doing this ill at least get over my fear of replacing CPU's and HSF units. Thermal pads suck anyway - limiting overclocking.

Heading to the shops this morning. To get some isopropyl alcohol.

While im at it im not sure if i should lap down the HSF unit becuase it came with a number of large visible scratches, and once i remove the thermal pad Im sure there'll be a few more. Any suggestions?

I heard that use of an unauthorised thermal paste on an AMD would void their warranty, and the manual recommends use of a particular TIM: Shin Etzu G490 (or something)... because of problems with pumpout on AS5 when the temp ranges 80 degrees. But usually the core boots from 20 - 60 which is a 40 degree range. Ima gona be using AS5.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: ryant

I heard that use of an unauthorised thermal paste on an AMD would void their warranty, and the manual recommends use of a particular TIM: Shin Etzu G490 (or something)... because of problems with pumpout on AS5 when the temp ranges 80 degrees. But usually the core boots from 20 - 60 which is a 40 degree range. Ima gona be using AS5.

shin etsu is what is on the heatsink.

 

[ryant]

I know shin etsu is whats on the heatsink. However its "for evaluation purposes only".

I got the CPU clean wth isopropyl alcohol - was considering lapping but couldnt find any suitable grit sandpaper.

The system ran temp off 38 degrees under idle, higher than i hoped but considering it was 27 ambient and the thermal paste hasnt begun cycling yet thats not too bad. Hopefully i can get this figure down within the next few days or ill reapply.

Thanks for the help.

BTW. I used AS5.

 

[sxr7171]

Do you have to clean and replace AS5 every time you remove and reinstall?

 

[EvilHomer]

I would, especially if you ran the cpu ..you want to make sure that its clean and no air bubbles....