thermal adhesive question

[NJDevil]

I just built a new machine with the Athlon 64 3000 and the MSI K8 Neo Platinum mobo. (using retail hsf).

Right now, according to my bios/mboard monitoring software, i am running idle at around 47-50C, and 50-55C under load. The thermal adhesive I used was attached to the bottom of the heatsink.

I've looked around the forums for a good replacement (i want to overclock it a bit eventually, and i don't like it running at high temps), and found the Thermaltake Venus CPU hsf, and the artic silver 5 thermal compound.

The main question I have has to do w/ the removal of old adhesive and application of the new one. First of all, I know i need the 91-99% rubbing alcohol solution, but do I take the CPU out of the socket when I do this? Where do I place the CPU to make sure the pins dont break, and how much of the new compound should I apply? I'm not sure if i have to let it "dry" first, but I would appreciate any suggestions you guys have.

Thanks!

 

[Operandi]

Yeah, take the CPU out, don't worry about breaking any pins, you'd have to be pretty rough with to do any damage.

Second, did you already get the thermaltake? If not there are better choices out there such as Thermalright, Alpha and Zalman, all of which include thermal compound I believe.

Oh, apply as litte as possible, a paper thin layer is ideal. And no don't let it dry, it never really dose anyway.

 

[Cheetah8799]

Are you sure you want to use "Adhesive"??? This stuff is permanent. If you want to be able to take it apart again, use thermal compound. not adhesive.

 

[NJDevil]

Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
Are you sure you want to use "Adhesive"??? This stuff is permanent. If you want to be able to take it apart again, use thermal compound. not adhesive.

wups, that's what I meant. and the hsf i meant was the thermaltake venus 12

 

[CaptnKirk]

Arctic Silver 5 is a good choice

Don't waste your money on ThermalTake products.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: NJDevil

Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
Are you sure you want to use "Adhesive"??? This stuff is permanent. If you want to be able to take it apart again, use thermal compound. not adhesive.

wups, that's what I meant. and the hsf i meant was the thermaltake venus 12

why in the word use adhesive? Once you put that between the heatsink and you cpu you'll never get the two apart again. Use thermal compound, and if you didnt get the thermaltake yet get somthing else.

 

[Tenchi4U]

I'd stick with AS5 or Shin Etsu G571

I've used both, they both work about the same. The AS5 is more readily available on the web (even at some local stores). Shin Etsu is harder to find and harder to PROPERLY apply (and takes about 3 or 4 days to fully cure to be its most effective). But it is good stuff. MY AS5 took about 2 days to fully cure and I roll 35C (idle) and 47C (full load) on a A64 3200+ (o/c to 2310) using a Swiftech MCX6400-V w/ 92mm Antec fan. They cost about the same.

Good luck

 

[NJDevil]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
Arctic Silver 5 is a good choice

Don't waste your money on ThermalTake products.

On newegg, it has 5 stars and I read all 27 reviews. I couldn't find another fan like that on that site (it's the one i frequent most often). What is a good heatsink for an Athlon 64 then? (socket 754). And why are thermaltake products so bad?

Thanks!

EDIT: Here is the link to the HSF I was talking about:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-106-038&depa=0

 

[Zepper]

You don't necessarily have to remove the CPU from its socket to change the heatsink. IMO, it is safest just to leave the CPU in the socket. Just loosen the heatsink mount and lift the heatsink off. If it's stuck, give it a little twist.
. If you did manage to properly melt the PC-TIM (phase change thermal interface material), use a plastic tool to remove the majority of the remains, followed by lighter fluid (naphtha) to remove the rest. Follow that with a rubbing alcohol rinse.
.bh.

 

[Tenchi4U]

That is the HSF my brother has, his cools just fine (but my mcx6400v cools better). My best guess is a bad thermal compund job (probably used too much, since even the cheap silicone stuff (if applied right) will give average results).

The problem with using too much compund is that it will form a buffer between the cpu and the HSF, thus leading to poor thermal transfer. The point of the compound is to fill in all the microscopic ridges between the 2 and create the most efficient contact area between the two. Too much will be like an insulator (which is bad in this case), too little will lead to an inefficient (or small) contact area.

I'd get some GOOD thermal compound (AS5 or Shin Etsu), and apply it CORRECTLY (and in correct amounts), then see where you are from there.

Follow these application directions for AS5:

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

Don't forget to use 91% or higher alcohol (isopropyl) and a lint free rag.

But you also have too look at other variables, like ambient temp & efficiency or case circulation (intake and/or exhuast fan?; wires in the way, etc).

 

[Operandi]

My main problem with ThermalTake is there emphasis on form over function and the out right lies they make regarding there performance numbers, especially when it comes to noise levels. They also do very little if any innovation and prefer the copy the designs of others and put a ugly face on it with their over the top designs.

Here are some good hs/f's I'd recomend.

Thermalright
Alpha

this is a good and quite fan

Panaflow

 

[Tenchi4U]

Still, the ThermalRight should be sufficient for normal temps. I too would rather avoid Thermalright products if I could, I don't think its the HSF, just the way it was installed to lead to such high idle temps.

The fan has got to go though, it is hideous. But if installed correctly, it should be on par with stock (if not better).

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Tenchi4U
Still, the ThermalRight should be sufficient for normal temps. I too would rather avoid Thermalright products if I could, I don't think its the HSF, just the way it was installed to lead to such high idle temps.

The fan has got to go though, it is hideous. But if installed correctly, it should be on par with stock (if not better).

You mean "thermaltake" right?

Anyway, yeah if you allready have it use it I guess.. but if your going to go out of the way to use somthing other then the OEM HS/F it might as well be somthing better then Thermaltake.

 

[CaptnKirk]

TermalRight makes nice stuff.

ThermalTake on the other hand makes poorly designed, underperforming crap.
Eye-candy for those who buy on 'Sight-Apeal' - it looks slick anD spiffy, but is not
nearly as good a performer as rivals products that cost much less.

You will have to learn that on your own. Shiney stuff and their pretty packaging
does not a efficeent unit make. Thier 'Orb' line are some of the worst functioning
and noisy junk that ever hit the Conputer - then the trash can.

I have a TT2 Smartfan with the orange case, sensor probe, & asjuster wheel that I
ripped out after 2 hours of listening to it's noise, while the temperature was + 5 C
higher than it had been before.

They put more money into advertising than product development.

 

[Tenchi4U]

Yeah, I meant ThermalRight...Thermalright stuff is great

Thermaltake is sort of the APC of computer parts (all show, no go).