Safety While Building PC

[Varmint]

80 Thermal Pastes Tested - you might want to skip to the conclusions first.

Thermal transfer compound comparison - toothpaste and Vegemite performed well, although not recommended for long-term use.

I don't think it's really worth getting too obsessive over - perhaps it's simplest to just stick with the stock materials, at least at first.

What do you mean at first? If I apply it once, will I ever have to apply it again?

[CaptainCrash]

What do you mean at first? If I apply it once, will I ever have to apply it again?

No, I meant that if you decide to overclock in future, you may need to reconsider your overall cooling arrangements anyway, as peterb suggested.

It's not an exact science, and if you're really concerned, you should probably just get a high-performance cooler/thermal paste in the first place, and at least that way you'll know you're covered for any future eventualities.

[Varmint]

Thanks, but it turns out using Arctic Silver voids AMD's warranty (http://www.xtremetek.com/info/index.php?id=14&page=1), so I might reapply it when the warranty stops.

Anyway back on topic, does anyone know of any other safety tips?

[MoonPig]

Eh... How would they even know you used it? And wouldn't the Chip go back to the retailer first...

I'm not sure about that, i've never just used stock paste. Even with graphics cards, i get them, boot to see if they work, then replace the TIM.

[peterb]

Eh... How would they even know you used it? And wouldn't the Chip go back to the retailer first...

I'm not sure about that, i've never just used stock paste. Even with graphics cards, i get them, boot to see if they work, then replace the TIM.

That seems to be a pointless exercise to me, unless you are changing the cooler for something else. The risk of causing physical damage would (to me) outweigh any theoretical improvement in TIM performance. Given the relatively insignificant cost of the tim, set against the overall manufacturing cost of theGPU, why would a manufacturer use anything that isn't suitable for the job? But whatever floats your boat!

But to get back on topic, I think most of the safety issues have been addressed.

[watercooled]

BTW someone mentioned to never touch your HDD with a magnetised screwdriver. I wouldn't worry about it for reasons which have been posted many time before including the fact there is a very powerful NIB magnet inside which the actuator needs to function. I remember a page on the net where someone tested the theory by attaching dozens of NIB magnets to the outside of the drive and all data was still intact (found it: http://www.cobolhacker.com/?p=488 ). A small magnet like the one on a screwdriver just isn't powerful enough to cause damage so don't worry about it.

[oolon]

What do you mean at first? If I apply it once, will I ever have to apply it again?

Yes normally when the fan fails on the stock cooler. In the old days you could just replace the fan with another generic one, coolers these days often have specially designed fans, so when that fails your need to replace the whole cooler. Ah it keeps the after sales market alive. It is at least good that graphics cards are using post mounts, a few years ago they used thermal cement, so removing the fan without ripping out the core of the graphics processor could be a problem.

[MoonPig]

That seems to be a pointless exercise to me, unless you are changing the cooler for something else. The risk of causing physical damage would (to me) outweigh any theoretical improvement in TIM performance. Given the relatively insignificant cost of the tim, set against the overall manufacturing cost of theGPU, why would a manufacturer use anything that isn't suitable for the job? But whatever floats your boat!

But to get back on topic, I think most of the safety issues have been addressed.

It may sound it, but i've noticed differences. Both my 4830s and 4870s have benifited from it. Havn't done it to my GTX260 as the previous owner rounded a bolt on the back ...

And, i love messing about with the kit, one of the reasons i buy high end stuff (Opening the package, tinkering, overclocking, gaming)

It may not work for everyone, but it does for me. So i'll keep doing it.

[watercooled]

If for whatever reason you wanted to clean off TIM I'd recommend ArctiClean: http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/prod...roducts_id=167

[peterb]

It may sound it, but i've noticed differences. Both my 4830s and 4870s have benifited from it. Havn't done it to my GTX260 as the previous owner rounded a bolt on the back ...

Ah, well if you have done comparative before and after tests - your original post implied you just fred it up for functional testing, rathyer than thermal testing.

And, i love messing about with the kit, one of the reasons i buy high end stuff (Opening the package, tinkering, overclocking, gaming)

It may not work for everyone, but it does for me. So i'll keep doing it.

And that is a perfectly valid (and honourable) reason

If for whatever reason you wanted to clean off TIM I'd recommend ArctiClean: http://www.chilledpc.co.uk/shop/prod...roducts_id=167

Yes, although Isopropyl Alcohol will also do the job - and is cheaper. (I tend to use both - get most off with the cleaner, then clean the residue with IPA) - but we are going OT again! - so to bring it back to safety - don't drink the IPA - wrong sort of alcohol!

[Varmint]

Is there any part of the components that touching may ruin? Is there something I should avoid touching?

[Dingo]

Is there any part of the components that touching may ruin? Is there something I should avoid touching?

In reality the only thing you really want to avoid "touching" is the pins of the cpu or you might bend a few.....just handle it at the edges out of the box and fit straight into mobo.......then apply paste (if that is your choice) in situ. Other than that everything else is pretty much okay

[peterb]

I think everything has been covered - however, if you are still nervous, you can get accidental damage insurance (from San) which, as it says, covers you for 28 days from the date of purchase against damage caused by you during building, which may give you some peace of mind.

Alternatively of you are concerned about solving problems with the operating system after the build, get a system made to your specification - that gives you a system warranty from the system builder rather than just the normal component warranty from the component mfr.

[Grymdawg]

A good safety tip i think is, if youre not too familiar with building a pc, just take your time and dont rush it. If you take care and take it easy you shouldnt have any problems.

I have built loads of PCs, i cant even count how many, and i have never bothered with anti static wristbands, lab coats or goggles .

[watercooled]

It's really not hard getting stuff together. Youtube might be helpful - for example have a look at this video, Intel's own video for installing LGA775 CPUs (personally I think gloves are more likely to cause problems than prevent them - if you snag the cotton on a pin for example): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFEOd7nQbuQ also remember we're here - just ask if you are unsure of anything!