Thermal Diodes

[imported_goku]

On any HSF that comes with a heat sensing diode, should I position it on the heatsink so it touches the CPU or attach the Diode on the heatsink where it "Doesnt" touch the CPU die. Also when putting Arctic Silver 5 on the CPU die, the arctic silver 5 website says to use like as much as a grain of rice but would I get better results using more? How do you know when you put TOO much arctic Silver 5!? I hear about people running thier CPUs at 30*C. What do you think I should do to achieve temps in that range. Last thing, where do you go to find heat sensors/ determine if the one I have has turned to sh!t or not.

 

[Degrador]

Ok, here we go:
1. You want the diode to be just touching the SIDE of the CPU die - you definitely do not want to interfere with the contact between the heatsink and the processor. While there, it won't necessarily get the absolute temperature of the cpu, but it will give you the best reading without drilling a hole in you heatsink.
2. I'm not certain, but I'd say that you can have too much thermal paste. I'd say the best would be to have a fine film totally covering the die - this should give you a good transfer between the die and the paste, and then onto the cpu (note, I haven't studied thermal dynamics - I ain't an expert).
3. A couple of case fans always helps to reduce case temperatures, which in turn will reduce cpu temps. Beyond that the only other choice is a better heatsink. And I'd say that if you're using arctic silver 5, you've already got a pretty good heatsink.
4. No idea. Only way to test is compare to one that is working.