Thermal pad

[warmasice]

just been on the amd site, and they have given tips on how to install and remove the heatsink.
i want to remove my heatsink and replace it with a zalman.

before i open everythin up, i wanted to kno wether the thermal oem pad sticks to the cpu as well as the the heatsink?? ...amd didnt make this clear.

...any quick tips on how i can easily install an after market (zalman - socket 939) heatsink would be helpfull.

AMD Website link... see "Heatsink Removal & Re-Use"

thanks.

p.s. im just worried about damaging the cpu when i take off the oem heatsink, because im not sure if the thermal pad is stuck to the cpu.

 

[Navid]

The pad sticks to the heat sink. But, there is paraphine in the pad that comes out and fills the microscopic holes in the heat sink and the CPU (the heat from the CPU melts the paraphine and makes it flow).
So, you need to clean the CPU. You should use something like 91% isopropyl alcohol.

 

[screw3d]

Since you are going to use an after-market heatsink, I highly suggest that you use Arctic Silver or Ceramique as thermal interface. You can get it from here.. I think that's about the best price you can find.

 

[warmasice]

ah great advice!

Screw3d, since i will only be doing this once, should i use thermal compound instead of thermal grease? AMD said not to use grease unless your constantly swapping heatsinks, and is therefore no good in the long run.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: warmasice
ah great advice!

Screw3d, since i will only be doing this once, should i use thermal compound instead of thermal grease? AMD said not to use grease unless your constantly swapping heatsinks, and is therefore no good in the long run.

Arctic Ceramiqué will be good for your purpose. It cleans off real easily. Just go to Arctic Silver's website and read the instructions before you try to use it. They have a specific way of applying the Ceramiqué.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: warmasice
Screw3d, since i will only be doing this once, should i use thermal compound instead of thermal grease?

Thermal grease = Thermal compound

The two alternatives are thermal compound versus thermal pad.

A thermal compound is a paste.
A pad contains a material that becomes fluid at high temperature, which is contained inside a very thin container.

If you decide to go with thermal compound, Arctic Silver is reportd to be the best.

 

[warmasice]

ok great! look like Artic Silver is the way to go. Thanks alot!

 

[Navid]

I have to add/correct a statement I made.

Arctic Silver 5 is reported to be the best.

If you decide to use Arctic Silver 5, follow the instruction carefully.
http://www.arcticsilver.com/ar...ilver_instructions.htm

 

[screw3d]

Just be careful when you apply AS5 so you don't smear it any other place than the core

 

[Zepper]

If you use thermal compound it should be redone annually (except perhaps for Shin Etsu). There are several recent threads here with the complete lowdown. If you want to 'set it and forget it' the pad is the way to go.
.bh.