Author Topic: Thermal Paste (Read 487 times)

Swager · « **on:** October 16, 2005, 06:05:13 PM »

I recently acquired a Athlon A64 3200+ Venice with a heatsink and Fan. On the bottom of the heatsink was what looked like thermal paste already applied in a square shape.

Is this pre-applied thermal paste?

OOZ662 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2005, 06:19:13 PM »

Paste would be mushed during shipping; it's probably a thermal pad. Scrape it off, clean the surface with 99% or better rubbing alcohol or brake cleaner and a lint-free cloth (coffee filters work well). Then get some Arctic Silver. That stuff rocks.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 16, 2005, 07:43:43 PM »

Yeah, what he said. Dont use those thermal pads.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 16, 2005, 09:28:09 PM »

Forgot to mention that by "scrape it off" I just mean get rid of it; if you put gashes in the heatsink it won't work as well, so don't go at it with a flathead screwdriver.

Boroda · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2005, 09:36:15 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by OOZ662
Forgot to mention that by "scrape it off" I just mean get rid of it; if you put gashes in the heatsink it won't work as well, so don't go at it with a flathead screwdriver.

I use ordinary clothes- or shoe-brush, works fast and doesn't damage the heatsink.

streakeagle · « **Reply #5 on:** October 21, 2005, 07:35:11 AM »

1. Scraping off the factory applied thermal pad and replacing it with thermal paste invalidates the manufacturer's warranty.

2. While thermal paste used correctly can improve the efficiency of the heat sink, the A64 runs very cool out of the box. My retail A64 3800 idles at 85 to 90 deg F and increases to 105 to 115 deg F while running games. The case temp is consistently 80 to 90 deg F. I saw no reason to invalidate my warranty since even the best thermal paste would only drop these temps a couple of degrees. Maybe if I was overclocking...

Ghosth · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2005, 08:23:06 AM »

A little bit of lighter fluid, WD-40, or other solvent will make getting that pad off a lot easier with a lot fewer scratches.

As to voiding the warrenty, well better to do it now than later.

I built one 3 years ago where I didn't take the pad off. 9 months later when I was having serious heat issues I ended up trying to get it off. After it had been baked hard for 9 months.

Seriously, lose the pad, use some good artic silver.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2005, 08:43:51 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by streakeagle
1. Scraping off the factory applied thermal pad and replacing it with thermal paste invalidates the manufacturer's warranty.

2. While thermal paste used correctly can improve the efficiency of the heat sink, the A64 runs very cool out of the box. My retail A64 3800 idles at 85 to 90 deg F and increases to 105 to 115 deg F while running games. The case temp is consistently 80 to 90 deg F. I saw no reason to invalidate my warranty since even the best thermal paste would only drop these temps a couple of degrees. Maybe if I was overclocking...

Yeah, but it will invalidate your hardware faster

My Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz tops out at 57 degrees F in AH with Arctic Silver and a 60mm fan on a copper heatsink.

eagl · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2005, 08:53:16 PM »

57F... I call BS.

maybe 57C but not F. A P4 cpu wouldn't hit 57F if you put it in a ziploc bag and stuck it in the freezer.

Krusty · « **Reply #9 on:** October 21, 2005, 09:11:03 PM »

LOL too right!

I think he means C

Anyways, almost every review and every person I ask about arctic silver says it will drop your cpu temps by 10c or more. A little more than "a few degrees". Not too much, but it's something. I'd say that's a moderate increase in efficiency. I'm going to get it when I can.

Tigger29 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 21, 2005, 09:13:46 PM »

57f wouldn't even be possible unless, of course, the temperature inside your home would have to be at least below 57...

I don't think many people are THAT thick skinned (or can afford to pay the electric bill from the A/C) to maintain that temperature!

Or do you live in alaska and keep your computer outdoors?

Who needs a liquid cooling system? just pack your case full of snow! hehe

Krusty · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2005, 09:49:50 PM »

Tigger, no!! Moisture = BAD!!!

hehehe

OOZ662 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2005, 09:59:30 PM »

Hey now, I'm just saying what the MB tells me. I know it's an estimate, but I thought it was a little (sarcasm) off. I just like boasting that.

I live in NW Washington. Average about 80 in my room (I keep it shut tight to not annoy the rest of the house). If I turn the case toward me, the side fan makes my leg numb through my cargo pants...

streakeagle · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2005, 09:13:28 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by OOZ662
Yeah, but it will invalidate your hardware faster

My Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz tops out at 57 degrees F in AH with Arctic Silver and a 60mm fan on a copper heatsink.

I never bought a P4... Always P3s and now A64... never had any problems whatsoever with the thermal pad on the retail heatsinks... All 5 of my P3s are running fine, the oldest since 2001.

I have 3 1.2GHz Tualatins, 2 1GHz Coppermines.

I never bought into any cpu whose normal operating temp could be used to fry eggs and bacon like the early Athlons and P4s