PC Pals Forum

Technical Help & Discussion => Self Building, Upgrading & General Hardware Help => Topic started by: DualBoy on January 01, 2003, 20:24

Title: How to install Thermal Compound.
Post by: DualBoy on January 01, 2003, 20:24

Good cooling for a CPU is very dependent on how well the contact between the heatsink is in contact with the cpu die. Arctic silver 3, and other thermal compounds, are used to help make the contact  between the die and sink perfect by filling microscopic groves etc...

However alot of people actually do make cooling worse by installing such thermal compounds on their systems because the put way too much cooling compound. So I have decided to include this guide to how to install thermal compound correctly: HERE (http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm)

Also when putting the heatsink onto the die I always wiggle it slightly. Dont know if it helps but I have been doing it for years.

Make sure you have a good heatsink also. Coper is always nice  ;D

Title: Re:How to install Thermal Compound.
Post by: Simon on January 01, 2003, 20:28

Thanks DualBoy - stuff like that is always handy!   :)

Title: Re:How to install Thermal Compound.
Post by: bat69 on January 01, 2003, 20:42

Exactly how I do it DualBoy ... except wanting the best from my cooling, I lap the heatsink to a perfect mirror finish  ::)  gets rid of any imperfections on the sink surface where trapped air creates an insulating barrier to heat transfer ... but that's for mad onions like me  >:D

Its always best to rid the sink of the thermal pad manufacturers put on as these are not very good and use decent compound

Thanks for pointing it out

Title: Re:How to install Thermal Compound.
Post by: DualBoy on January 01, 2003, 20:49

What do you use to smooth your heatsink? 600+ wet Sandpaper I assume. Another thing is how to get the Arctic silver to properly work. You need to wait upto 200 hours as stated on their site. I have also heard that keeping a heat above 55C degrees for a period of 50 hours helps the ASIII properly settle (since it uses 3 different sizes of silver.)

Title: Re:How to install Thermal Compound.
Post by: bat69 on January 01, 2003, 21:10

I use 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1600 and 2000 grit wet and dry paper and then to finish, the paper side of the 600 grit paper .... use with washing up liquid and warm water (cos my hands need it  ;))


I use Sandra to do a burn in and leave the pc running for a good while, 72hrs is the benchmark I use

EDIT: I should have added, I would have used 4000 grit paper aswell, if I could get it  :-

Title: Re:How to install Thermal Compound.
Post by: DualBoy on January 01, 2003, 21:17

I use SetiAtHome for a burn in program. Very CPU intensive. Then I raise its Processing priority in task manager.

Title: Re:How to install Thermal Compound.
Post by: Adept on January 01, 2003, 21:20

Quote from: bat69 on January 01, 2003, 21:10

I use Sandra to do a burn in

Bat, I know our Sandra is hot >:D, but can I presume you mean SiSoft Sandra?  ;D ;D

Title: Re:How to install Thermal Compound.
Post by: bat69 on January 01, 2003, 21:26

You can indeed Adept  ;)

Title: Re:How to install Thermal Compound.
Post by: Sandra on January 01, 2003, 23:24

Quote from: bat69 on January 01, 2003, 21:10

I use Sandra to do a burn in and leave the pc running for a good while, 72hrs is the benchmark I use

Are you bragging again Bat  ::)
I have yet to find the man who can keep me hot for 72 hours  ;)

Title: Re:How to install Thermal Compound.
Post by: bat69 on January 02, 2003, 07:33

hey hey  ;) ;)  ;D ;D ;D  >:D >:D >:D >:D

Title: Re:How to install Thermal Compound.
Post by: bat69 on March 31, 2003, 17:05

Here are details of the Nanotherm thermal paste. Have a look HERE (http://www.8ballshardware.com/articles/thermalpaste2/page1.cfm)

And if you go HERE (http://www.modsynergy.com/Review%2032.htm) you will find a comparison of some name brands of thermal paste.

Mind this is only relevant for those who want to get the best from their cooling hardware  ;)