CPU Thermal Gel

[Nuggs]

Hi All:wavey:

I've got ahold of some of this funky Arctic Cooling thermal gel for the CPU/heatsink interface, however...

...on my first attempt to [i]'spread a thin layer evenly over the CPU'[/i], I ended up with it all over the applicator, my finger and whatever else I tried to spread it with, with very little remaining on the CPU.:o

Any tips on how to get the best results with this stuff?

TIA:thumbup:

[pdV6]

Mask off the CPU die with something a tiny bit deeper than the CPU core (e.g. playing cards) and then spread an even, thin layer across the lot using a suitable spreader (another playing card?). Then remove the masking and attach the heatsink.

[robdickinson]

Nah.

Clean both the CPU and heatsink with alchohol.

Put a little bit on the heatsing, using a tissue rub/polish this into the heatsink base, you only want to fill the minute gaps so your polishing almost all of it off.

Then place a pea sized blob in the midle of the CPU, and press the heatsink down hard and secure.

This avoids any air bubles/spaces. Do not remove the heatsink without redoing the whole process. And it takes quite a few heat cycles for the stuff to bed in properly, should lower temps by 2-4 degrees over 50-100 cycles.

(as per AMD's instructions - search on AMDs website for more info if needed).

[Zod]

robdickinson said:

Nah. Clean both the CPU and heatsink with alchohol. Put a little bit on the heatsing, using a tissue rub/polish this into the heatsink base, you only want to fill the minute gaps so your polishing almost all of it off. Then place a pea sized blob in the midle of the CPU, and press the heatsink down hard and secure. This avoids any air bubles/spaces. Do not remove the heatsink without redoing the whole process. And it takes quite a few heat cycles for the stuff to bed in properly, should lower temps by 2-4 degrees over 50-100 cycles. (as per AMD's instructions - search on AMDs website for more info if needed).

I agree with Rob. That's the method I use.

[Nuggs]

That's great - thanks for the very prompt replies chaps. I'll give it a go tomorrow...

[[k]ar|]

One other thing to be aware of - some of the TIMs (thermal interface materials) are electrically conductive. Therefore, it's essential that none comes into contact with any motherboard traces or surface-mount components. Similarly, if the CPU has surface-mounted traces (like the AthlonXP) these need to be avoided as well.

IIRC, the Arctic Silver 5 and 6 range is conductive, but their Ceramique range is not. Best bet is to mask off any potential risk areas and proceed as above.

Don't forget, though, you mustn't rub the thermal paste into the heatsink or chip surface using your bare finger - the deposited skin oils will contaminate the TIM, reducing thermal performance.

[k]

[-DeaDLocK-]

kar said:

IIRC, the Arctic Silver 5 and 6 range is conductive...

It's not. It's slightly capacitive though, but I think this is so minor that as long as you don't have big globs on your board it's not worth worrying about.

This is what Artic Silver themselves have to say about using their products: linky

>> Edited by -DeaDLocK- on Saturday 3rd September 19:29

[[k]ar|]

-DeaDLocK- said:

kar said: IIRC, the Arctic Silver 5 and 6 range is conductive... It's not. It's slightly capacitive though, but I think this is so minor that as long as you don't have big globs on your board it's not worth worrying about. This is what Artic Silver themselves have to say about using their products: [url]www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm[/url] >> Edited by -DeaDLocK- on Saturday 3rd September 19:29

I stand corrected, although my initial advice remains correct even by AS own instructions. They say on the same linked page...

the Arctic Silver web site said:

Even though Arctic Silver thermal compound is specifically engineered for high electrical resistance, you should keep the compound away from processor, memory, and motherboard traces and pins.

I must, however, say that I have heard of instances, especially with AthlonXP processors, where AS has been inadvertently gooped onto the "jumper traces" (for want of a better description) on the lower surface of that chip, thereby causing failures. Once cleaned off with isopropyl alcohol and the AS reapplied correctly, those issues have resolved. IIRC, the AS Ceramique and Alumina ranges are wholly un-conductive

[k]

[edited for schpellink]

>> Edited by [k]ar| on Sunday 4th September 02:21

[Nuggs]

Perfect chaps. I rubbed some Antec Thermal Grease into the heat sink with a nice big blob of the AC Silver 5 on the processor.

The cooler I'm using is the AC Freezer 64 - it's brought CPU temp down from 69 to 45, even when running Far Cry at full chat - result!

Time for some overclocking...