What would you do when you change heatsink?

[jjet67]

Dear gurus.

I recently bought a new system, so I moved my old system in my office back to home. My old system has 1600+ Palomino(?) and thermaltake volcano 5 with Epox 8rda+. I used to overclock it to 2100+(1750Mhz) and the temperature was around 51C when loaded. It has been fine for around 2 years. Now it's temperature became 54-55C. As I run a computer all the times for my number crunching program, now the computer crashes after a few hours in a new environment. :| Personally I think the reason is due to higher temperature of my home than that of my office.
Now I'm thinking to buy a new heatsink such as Thermalright SLK700 and a Panflow fan. I'm wondering this will cure the high temperature. If then, I'm also wondering how you change the heatsink. As I put the artic silver on my old cpu, should I just rub it off? Any comment will be greatly appreciated.

THanks.

JJET

 

[Davegod]

if 55C is an accurate reading (relative to other mobos i mean) then thats not the sort of temps likely to be crashing the CPU imo, should take another 10C before it gets noticably unstable. Try reducing the overclock, see what happens.

That said, also consider case airflow. A higher room temp would likely mean an even higher ambient temp inside the case, so have to get that air moving in, around and out quicker - just to keep the cpu heatsink fan supplied with reasonably cool air. Not so easy to judge wether a new HSF or improved airflow is what would benefit most.

As for replacing the HSF:
Firstly, this is usually a lot easier if you take the mobo out of the case, but usually it's up to you.
You can probably use fingers to take the HSF clip off the socket lugs, but if it's still too stiff use a screwdriver, same as when you put it on - except in reverse. Make sure the mobo is lying down flat when you do this.
Probably you can just pickup the HSF, but if it's stuck on (usually only happens with thermal pads, not paste, but anyway) then carefully twist the HSF back and forth to loosen it, it is not hard to accidentally rip the cpu out of the socket and likely damage it if you just pull it up.
Clean off the old thermal paste, a high-purity alcohol solution can help, as will tissues. Just try to ensure its all off and the die looks clean. Leave it a while to make sure ALL the alcohol has evaporated.

Now all you do is reapply the thermal paste and stick the new HSF on as before. Can be daunting because you dont want to destroy anything, but really it's fairly straightforward.

 

[jjet67]

Thanks a lot.
When I opened the window yesterday, the temperature dropped by 10C. Considering that I can't keep window opened, I think I need to buy a new heat sink.
Thanks

JJET

 

[hytek369]

don't forget to get some AS5

 

[DewDood]

I just changed my heatsink and left the old paste and just applied the new one.

Is this going to damage my cpu in the long wrong? Some of the old paste was around the die on the chip too.

 

[Abhi]

Originally posted by: DewDood
I just changed my heatsink and left the old paste and just applied the new one. Is this going to damage my cpu in the long wrong? Some of the old paste was around the die on the chip too.

What temperatures are you getting?

 

[mechBgon]

Play this movie clip in reverse Note how the screwdriver can be used to "lever" the clip out so it clears the lugs on the socket. It is a good idea to put something tough beneath the screwdriver (like a credit card) so that the motherboard doesn't get damaged if your screwdriver slips and hits the motherboard.

 

[Davegod]

Originally posted by: jjet67
Thanks a lot.
When I opened the window yesterday, the temperature dropped by 10C. Considering that I can't keep window opened, I think I need to buy a new heat sink.
Thanks

JJET

If that's when CPU is not under load, it's a big drop IMO. I'm a little torn wether a new heatsink would be better or a new case fan - if you only have one exhaust fan (not counting PSU) and the case has a spot for an intake at the front, I'd probably go with adding a medium speed case intake. If it doesnt do the business then maybe could use it ontop of the other option, the SLK heatsink. Downside is two lots of shipping (if you buy online), plus the volcano and extra case fan is liable to be noisier than the SLK with a panaflo ontop and no extra case fan.

Also look at the cabling inside your case, maybe lots of IDE ribbon cables all over the place weakening airflow in there? Rounded cables shouldnt be necessary, just spend a little time tidying the cables. While you're at it, clean out dust clogging up fans or heatsinks