Would this cause my system any problems?

pitupepito2000

Golden Member
Aug 2, 2002
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Hi,

I just put my system together, but the heatsink was the one that came with the retail AMD processor. When I installed the heatsink I put some thermal compound and the heatsink already had some thermal pad which I didn't take out. Would using both together cause me any problems at all?

Thanks for all the replies!
 

AndyHui

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member<br>AT FAQ M
Oct 9, 1999
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You should not put additional thermal transfer material without removing the existing pad first.

You either use just the pad which comes with the HSF, or you scrape it off and use your own thermal compound. Do not use both.

The heat from the processor has way too far/too much material to travel through, so the HSF will not be very efficient at all, causing higher temperatures.
 

pitupepito2000

Golden Member
Aug 2, 2002
1,181
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Hi,

Well, when I put my system together I completely forgot about not using both at the same times. The other day when I came from work I checked the temperatures of the CPU and they were 52 degrees celcius. I was wondering if this high temperatures harm my cpu or not? also, What temperatures would harm my cpu? That day it was a really hot day with 3 digit temperatures outside and my case is black so I don't know if this was the cause of such a high temeperature. Also how much of a difference in temperature would it make if I scrape off the thermal pad?

My cpu is a AMD xp 1800+


Thanks for the replies!!
 

AndyHui

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member<br>AT FAQ M
Oct 9, 1999
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Your processor temperature would drop by several degrees.

Although you shouldn't really be worried unless your temperatures get over 60 degrees, a lower temperature is ALWAYS better than a higher temperature.