What is the shim for an AMD Athlon XP?

[pitupepito2000]

Hi,

I am building my first computer and one of the components that I don't understand very well is the shim and what it does? Is there different kinds of shim? If so what is the best shim for an AMD Athlon XP 1800+

Thanks

 

[NesuD]

the shim fits between the cpu packaging that the core is mounted to and the heatsink. the shim is cutout to allow the chip core to have direct contact with the heatsink. the purpose of a shim is to keep you from applying uneven pressure when installing the heatsink and potentially cracking the core. the question you have to ask is are you sure that the shim is the right thickness to allow good contact between the heatsink and the chip? if it is just a millimeter to thick it will not allow good contact and that could burn that chip out a less than 10 seconds. Personally i won't use one. If proper care is taken to install the heastink in the correct manner it should be unnecessary. I have literally installed over a hundred heatsinks on durons and athlons and never had a chipped or cracked core. I think they are a waste of money 99.9% of the time.

 

[Mem]

You don`t really need a shim,I never used one on my XP 1700+ ,just use a good cooler with good clip design like on the Taisol CGK760092 that uses all 3 clips to secure the heatsink and also helps spread the load pressure better then the single clip design.Like all things it`s a case of taking your time and being carefull and you shouldn`t have any problems.

 

[pitupepito2000]

Thanks for all the info