• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Thermal compound on an AMD64 HSF

H

hans030390

Diamond Member
OK, so my cousin was setting up his computer, and he put to much AS5 on the CPU and we believe it overheated and busted (no evidence of it, other than the computer shut off after 20 secs or so, and from then on the diagnostic lights said the CPU was damaged), but that's not the problem.

We noticedthat the HSF that came with the CPU already had some thermal compound on it...when he gets a different CPU (still an AMD 64 3000) can he use that compound and not have to put anything else on the CPU or HSF? Will that cool it fine? (im assuming it would, why would AMD put bad compound on it?) There will be either no OCing or very slight OCing. He didnt want to go through putting on AS5 again, as he doesnt want the chance of putting on too much...so is the compound that came on the HSF fine to use?

and he didnt ask himself, because he rarely posts on the forums 😉
thanks
 
the thermal compound that's already on the HSF is ok. It will cool it fine especially if there won't be any OCing or a slight OC.
 
Did you check the footprint of the heatsink on the cpu when you used the as5. I don't think TOO MUCH can cause it to overheat, that doesn't make any sense.
 
AS5 shouldn't make it over heat...... put a little bit on the middle of the CPU (about the size of a grain of rice). Putting AS5 on my 3000+ lowered the temps by about 9 degrees. I would use AS5 if I were him.
 
If you use AS5, you have to remove the previous thermal compound.


Personally, I dont understand why newbies to computers try AS5 on their first shot. Just dont. If your going for something that is far safer, get Shin Etsu. Atleast that stuff doesn't pull the CPU right out of the socket.
 
hahaha yeah we had a hard time getting the CPU off of the HSF with AS5...basically, he put on ALOT compared to what he should have...so we're thinking the heat couldnt transfer, plus, there were other things that happened that might have contributed to it busting (i dropped it, but it worked until it busted.)
 
I've been considering my options a while (I'm the cousin that doesn't post on the forums that much) and it basically looks like I'm going to have to save up a little while before I can buy a new PIB 3000+...though I do have some backup money sources and even just today got a "could you get this computer working for dialup?" job, so things might not be so bad.

The reason that I bought AS5 is because the AMD installation instructions said, and I quote, "Thermal interface material is required for all AMD processors. Use only the recommended thermal interface material for this processor (see Thermal Cooling Guideline on AMD's website for a complete list of approved material for the specific processor you are using)."

Basically, I had no clue that there was thermal compound already applied to the heatsink, and, being a newb, didn't know that what was on the HS when I saw it was actually thermal compound. My cousin said that to use AS5 we needed to remove the stuff on the HS and then apply AS5 on the CPU, so I did, and it never clicked in my mind that what was on the HS was all that was needed to install it and have it run stable.
 
yeah, i thought you wanted AS5 on there...which you did...i wish i would have mentioned that you could use what it came with...i just assumed AS5 would be easy to put on and it would work better...i don't think it was worth the trouble....
 
You know there are many sites that show instructions on how to apply AS5 for particular processors. There is notihing wrong with using it as long as you follow the instructions. That means removing the original thermal compound that comes with the heatsink. With your processor type what I always would do is apply the AS5 onto the top of the cpu covering the entire processor with a very very thin layer.
 
I thought the stuff they're putting on retail heatsinks now IS Shin Etsu... it's definately not those crappy wax pads they used to use... or those weird waxy foily things Intel used.
 
Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I thought the stuff they're putting on retail heatsinks now IS Shin Etsu.
Click to expand...

It is Shin Etsu. It's a lot better then the "white" TIM you normally see, and also within about 1-2c of AS5's performance. So if you replace the A64's thermal pad with standard "white" TIM, you're doing yourself an injustice.

Unless you are overvolting, and overclocking to the border of instability, I'd use AMD's pad. 😉
 
Thanks for the input everyone, this has definitely been a learning experience and next time I intend on just using everything completely stock. Right now I'm trying to get the serial number on the processor in attempt to return it to the vendor for a new one, but we all know what the chances of that happening are...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top