Thermalright XP-120 instructions conflict with Arctic Silver 5 instructions

[walkure]

According to the Arctic Silver 5 instructions, you are only supposed to apply a small amount of thermal compound to the IHS side of the AMD Athlon 64 CPU. It says to just twist the heatsink a little bit to help spread the compound. The pictures show that the entire IHS surface does not need to be covered; only the main center region which actually lies above the CPU core.


But the instructions that came with my Thermalright XP-120 heatsink say to apply the compound to the IHS and the flat bottom contact area of the XP-120. The online version of the directions is definitely more clear (with color pictures), but it still says to put thermal compound on both the IHS and heatsink. I would link it directly, but it is a Flash page on their site and I don't know the exact URL. Please just visit the homepage and click on Installation, and then XP-120 for K8 processors.
http://www.thermalright.com/


I'm leaning towards the advice on the AS5 page, but I'm not sure.


I'm also very nervous about installing the CPU and HSF on my Asus A8N-SLI. I finally have all my components sitting here, and it would be a breeze after this step (this is my first build). So I'll have to get to work on this very soon

Thanks.

 

[dartworth]

I would follow the AS directions.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: dartworth
I would follow the AS directions.

Ditto
As far as putting paste on the bottem of your 120, you should do this then wipe it away with paper towel. This aids in filling any voids/scratches on the base of the xp120

 

[Ike0069]

It doesn't really matter. Both sides are gonna see AS anyways. The AS5 instructions are just that way to help prevent people from putting too much on.
I suggest you put on a small amount (a little less than you think it needs), then install the HSF. Then before you do anything else, remove the HSF and check the coverage area. Adjust the amount of AS5 as needed. I don't know about your HS, but the stock one can be set and then removed in <30 sec.

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: dartworth
I would follow the AS directions.

I disagree. I've done it the AS5 way, and spreading a thin layer on the entire IHS.

Spreading a very thin layer gives better results, every time. About a 2-3c difference under load...

 

[walkure]

JBDan, that sounds like a solid idea.

I have read about some XP-120's coming with the base scratched up or rough-feeling, but mine looks to be perfectly smooth! The thing is a BEAST btw! Easily the coolest (pun also intended) component I've ever seen.

 

[walkure]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
It doesn't really matter. Both sides are gonna see AS anyways. The AS5 instructions are just that way to help prevent people from putting too much on.
I suggest you put on a small amount (a little less than you think it needs), then install the HSF. Then before you do anything else, remove the HSF and check the coverage area. Adjust the amount of AS5 as needed. I don't know about your HS, but the stock one can be set and then removed in <30 sec.

That sounds like a good idea to gauge exactly how much I should apply. But as far as removing the XP-120 in 30 seconds... I don't think so! It has so many clips that I'm nervous to even begin installation! (hence I'm here getting more advice before attempting).

Thanks for comments everyone.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: walkure
JBDan, that sounds like a solid idea.

I have read about some XP-120's coming with the base scratched up or rough-feeling, but mine looks to be perfectly smooth! The thing is a BEAST btw! Easily the coolest (pun also intended) component I've ever seen.

I know it looks smooth, but I promise you it is not. It is a beast and probably the best air cooler around hands down. Njoy it! And Amaroque I have done this application (on center of core and all over heatspreader) and I got 2 degrees C cooler with the AS5 only on the center. Guess everyones situation will be different just thought I would mention it.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: walkure
That sounds like a good idea to gauge exactly how much I should apply. But as far as removing the XP-120 in 30 seconds... I don't think so! It has so many clips that I'm nervous to even begin installation! (hence I'm here getting more advice before attempting).

Thanks for comments everyone.

I knew it would be different, but I wasn't sure if it would be difficult or not.
I give props to AMD for making the stock one so easy. You just hook the clips on each side (easily done as they are not yet under spring pressure). Then it has a plastic lever that you simply push down and lock into place. If I ever get mine back, I think I'll keep the stock one.

 

[Amaroque]

It isn't going too matter much unless you're trying to get every last MHz from the CPU. Even if you put slightly too much on, the pressure of todays HSF setups are going to assure it's going to be squeezed out.

I said slightly too much. Not oozing all over the place!

 

[walkure]

Originally posted by: Amaroque
It isn't going to matter much unless you're trying to get every last MHz from the CPU. Even if you put slightly too much on, the pressure of todays HSF setups are going to assure it's going to be squeezed out.

I said slightly too much. Not oozing all over the place

By "squeezed out", do you mean squeezed out from between the CPU and the base of the heatsink and onto... the motherboard? That wouldn't be good eh? I'm not even talking about the "oozing" that you mentioned; I just imagine it would be bad to get any at all on the mobo...


As far as getting every last MHz out... this is my first build (Asus A8N-SLI, 3200+ Winchester, 1GB Mushkin PC3200 Value RAM), and I do plan to overclock after I get everything set up and stable at stock. I would hope to get at least similar to what you and many others have achieved (260x10 = 2600MHz).

Thanks again for the advice everyone.

 

[JBDan]

With the xp120, some patience, and good case-airflow you will acheive!

 

[walkure]

I am putting my stuff in the Antec Super Lanboy. It has a front and back 120mm fans, which should be nice for airflow. Also a Vantec Stealth 520W PSU which has 3 fans. And on top of this XP-120, I have a Panaflo 120mm 103.8 CFM fan (that looks awesome to me).

I realize I could probably get the "extreme" airflow in a bigger case, but I picked the Lanboy specifically because I want a small case, and I also like its sleek look.

 

[JBDan]

LOL you have PLENTY of AIR! It might try and take off on ya : guess your not a stickler for silence. Njoy

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: walkure

Originally posted by: Amaroque
It isn't going to matter much unless you're trying to get every last MHz from the CPU. Even if you put slightly too much on, the pressure of todays HSF setups are going to assure it's going to be squeezed out.

I said slightly too much. Not oozing all over the place

By "squeezed out", do you mean squeezed out from between the CPU and the base of the heatsink and onto... the motherboard? That wouldn't be good eh? I'm not even talking about the "oozing" that you mentioned; I just imagine it would be bad to get any at all on the mobo...


As far as getting every last MHz out... this is my first build (Asus A8N-SLI, 3200+ Winchester, 1GB Mushkin PC3200 Value RAM), and I do plan to overclock after I get everything set up and stable at stock. I would hope to get at least similar to what you and many others have achieved (260x10 = 2600MHz).

Thanks again for the advice everyone.

By squeezed out, I mean there might be an extremely small bead of TIM around the edge of the IHS and HSF. Nothing that would "drip" In fact, you will not even be able to see it, unless you looked at the MB from a side view while it's not in the case.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Either method of applying the TIM will work well.

 

[peonyu]

The xp-120 that i got had a base that was so concave that when i put it on my cpu [with as5 evenly spread] and removed it, it was only making contact with the outer portions of the ihs and NOT the center at all. This was proved by putting a thin layer of as5 on a sheet of jewelers glass and pressing the hs down on it and seeing the same result. I also foolishly ran the heatsink like this anyways [seeing is believing..] and watched my temps get hotter than if it had the stock hsf [60c++ load].

After a 2 hour lapping job though, well the results definately changed and now i dont ever past 50c load so i feel i got my moneys worth, but in away im still kinda pissed since for 50$ you would expect them to have some quality control.

 

[walkure]

Wow peonyu, I'm expecting temps under load in the 40's with the XP-120. If mine was that convex that it wasn't making even close to proper contact, I would probably ask for a replacement...

 

[peonyu]

Normally i would rma but from reading different forums this seems to be a very common problem with this particular hsf, so id rather fix it myself than just get another possibly bad one and save the shipping fees for a beer.

 

[walkure]

peonyu, if you're really running 2.72GHz, it looks like your system is pretty rocking, even at 50 degrees C. Are you stable at that speed?

 

[peonyu]

Oh yea in regards to your question, i was also confused by the instructions and the first time i mounted the hs i used arctic silvers instructions [a bb sized drop]. I ran it like that for a hour then removed the hs and noticed that the as5 only spread out around the center of the ihs and didnt cover enough of it for my tastes....So myself i go with [arguably] the best method which is putting a bb sized drop on the center of the ihs and spreading it and evenly over the whole ihs myself.

 

[peonyu]

Its been stable for the last month or so yes.

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: peonyu
Oh yea in regards to your question, i was also confused by the instructions and the first time i mounted the hs i used arctic silvers instructions [a bb sized drop]. I ran it like that for a hour then removed the hs and noticed that the as5 only spread out around the center of the ihs and didnt cover enough of it for my tastes....So myself i go with [arguably] the best method which is putting a bb sized drop on the center of the ihs and spreading it and evenly over the whole ihs myself.

Any of the hard core tweakers that I know, do it the same way.

I tried to say this earlier... :roll: