Should there be a gap between chip and heatsink?

[ThurzNite]

I installed a pep66u/delta on my 700e the other night. I noticed there was 1mm gap between the chip and the heatsink. I put a thick layer of thermal compound on the chip. I'm wondering if I should sand down the 4 plastic standoffs on the heatsink so that I get metal/metal contact. Is this recommended?
Jay

 

[compuwiz1]

Yes, I have had the same problem. Get a known flat surface, some med wet / dry sand paper, wet it and stroke it back and forth, rechecking periodically. When it is right, it will squeeze out most ot the paste, leaving just a thin enough layer to do the job.

 

[Davegod75]

yep sand down and use thermal grease

 

[Davegod75]

yep sand down and use thermal grease

 

[ThurzNite]

Okidoke. Can I use the same sandpaper stuff that autoshops use for metal surfaces? Is that fine enough? I'm affraid of taking chunks off...

 

[Mikewarrior2]

one note, you might want to cover the copper-cpu-contact area just to prevent accidentally scratching it up.


Mike