Applying thermal paste

[XA04]

I am using a Athlon XP processor but...

There is a thermal pad on the heatsink - should I remove it before putting on thermal paste?

Is it true that removing the thermal pad on Athlon XP processors could potentially crack the core?


Thanks.

Edit: just been looking around, and aparently the thermal pad melts after it gets hot?... so am I going to have a hard time removing it? I've been using this processor and heatsink/fan for about 2 years+ now.

[Russ]

removing the paste is easy with a clean cloth and warm water.

clean it before applying new paste, which you must spread on evenly in a very thin layer covering all of the core. hope that helps. (btw, a credit card and empy sandwich bags are handy for spreading the paste

[XA04]

It's not a paste though, it's a thermal pad..

Been looking on google for tips on putting the thermal paste on .

[Chan]

when i had my old computer, i used a heat sink with a thermal pad. Well to cut a long story short, The pad did indeed "melt" but in the process stuck so hard to my CPU that it was IMPOSSIBLE to remove it. And of course if you cant remove the heatsink, you cant release the CPU release switch (that locks the CPU in) so your stuck.

I wont mention the fact while trying to remove the Heatsink, i applied so much force it ripped the CPU out of the socket and bent 90% of the pins. Luckily was able to bend them back (after like a hour of patient prodding) and put it back in, it still worked! (good solid AMDs) so i just decided not to screw with it anymore lol. I seem to remember i was only trying to get it out in the first place to test my new rig (in sig) to check that a fault i was getting on boot up wasnt the CPU (turned out to be corrupted memory on the graphics card).

[XA04]

Interesting. Hopefully mine won't stick like that. I'll just unclip the heatsink/fan from the motherboard and if it doesn't come off too easily then it looks like I will just have to leave it >_<.

Anyone know about the cracking core rumour though?

[Chan]

Interesting. Hopefully mine won't stick like that. I'll just unclip the heatsink/fan from the motherboard and if it doesn't come off too easily then it looks like I will just have to leave it >_<.

Anyone know about the cracking core rumour though?

Oh yeah i forgot to mention in the process of trying to refit the heat sink clip after getting it off the little notch on the motherboard broke off! This was back when they only had 1 on either side and not 3 like the newer boards. So the only thing holding the heat sink on is the frekkin rock solid paste lol. My bro still uses it too.

[XA04]

heh.

I think this heatsink holds it on with 2 clips iirc. I can't see right now because my case is all together, but I will have a look once I get my thermal paste through the post.

[oshta]

Ive cleaned of a few thremal pads, and they where all ok.
- The heatsink came off as easy as it does with paste, and then i used celulose thiners (and/or nail varnish remover) to desolve and clean off the pad.
- Then apply Arctic 3, bobs your uncal.

The officiall instructions for appliying paste can be found here on the Artic silver site.
- How ever, i have taken to just placing a blog in the center of the H/S and just using a CCard to spread it into a thin layer, and puting it on the CPU like that. This seams to work just as well. (for non-IHS AMD chips that is)


Daniel

[Elessar_VPR]

I had to remove a thermal pad from my P4 when I upgraded the heatsink on it. I got some of the ArctiClean stuff. Works well, though initally my CPU was stuck the the bottom of my old heatsink, but an hour or two of CPU Burn soon sorted that out

Got my kit from Chillblast I think, though other places prolly stock it.

[XA04]

Thanks for the posts guys, seemed to clear most things up...

I think I'll just find some nail varnish remover than buying more things . When I get the thermal paste, I know I should apply a thin layer onto the core, but shall I add any to the heatsink too? or just leave it clean?.


Also... once again, rumour about the core? I'm guessing it's false but I just want to make sure . The 4 pads on the corners of the processor must help prevent this surely?

[nvening]

I think it was another thread where i read that some nail varnish remover contains some stuff that can corrode plastic, so mabe its not the best thing.

[[DW]Cougho]

ive removed a thermal pad from a Athlon XP many a time and ive never had a problem at all.

As said once it "melts" it acts just like thermal paste does so is easy to clean off, when i dont have Akasa TIM cleaner i use white spirits, seems better at cleaning than tim cleaner but doesnt half stink.

Little bit of white spirit, old part of a t-shirt or even a bit of kitchen towel and just wipe off easily.

Then for athlon XP's about 1/2 the size of some long grain rice of thermal compound (enough to just about cover the core) then spread with something (i use the end of my scissors) then just plonk the heatsink back on.

The smaller the amount of compound used the better really, and at the end of the day if it doesnt conduct enough then just reapply, ive seen CPU's run without any thermal compound before and although it is certainly not good at all it hasnt killed them. (im not recommending you do this at all)

EDIT: yep the pads protect the core, just dont be too brutal. And on new heatsinks i always apply a bit of thermal compound then wipe off with a paper towel (no spirits) so the heatsink bottom appears dull, but if its already been used i leave it as it is, and even new this isnt necessary.

[aidanjt]

White spirits use alcohol which leaves a micro-film during evaporation.. Not advisable.. thats why endless manufacturer instructions state to not use it when cleaning hardware.

[[DW]Cougho]

White spirits use alcohol which leaves a micro-film during evaporation.. Not advisable.. thats why endless manufacturer instructions state to not use it when cleaning hardware.

whoopps, didnt know this.

Although it cant be too bad, never killed anything by cleaning with white spirit (and my sisters XP1700 has had this done so many times) and temperatures never really seemed to be effected. And given the choice between white spirit and nail varnish remover (2 of the most common cleaners that people have) id take white spirit everytime due to the perfume that alot of nail varnish removers have.

At the end of the day Akasa Tim cleaner is a good investment.

[aidanjt]

the film probibly wont kill anything, but it is a bit of an insulator.

But yea, Akasa TIM-Clean is cracking stuff, I still have over half a bottle left from when I bought it at the begining of the year.

[XA04]

OK, looks like I'll be going for the Akasa Tim cleaner then!