Tbird thermal pads???

[DioCassius]

Do I leave the four pads on my tbird on, or take them off. i have a pal6035 heatsink.
thanks

 

[ncanard]

Leave the pads on the chip. They are there to provide a stable surface for the heat sink (i.e. anti-rocking). The die requires complete contact with the heat sink surface ( rocking = fried chip). I do not know about the Alpha, but approved thermal solutions take into consideration the pads when they design the clip force.