AMD Athlon 64 3200+

Radio91PRadio91P Layton, UT New
edited April 2006 in Hardware
Hey guys,

Just bought this proc. Said in the instructions that I had to use some kind of thermal material. I went and bought some AS5. This is supposed to be AMD approved material. I looked on the bottom of the heatsink and it looked like there was a thermal pad. It is gray and the same size as the proc. Is this a thermal pad? Do I use both or scrape off the thermal pad? Which is better for cooling?

Thanks for the tips guys!
Radio91P

Please don't laugh, Ignorance is bliss!!!!:scratch::rockon:

Comments

  • bikerboybikerboy PA
    edited April 2006
    you only want to use one. it is up to you which to use. ive always used the stuff that was on the bottom of the proc. but if you are going to be doin any overclocking you will want to put on the AS5. To remove the thermal pad that is already on the proc. use Isopropanol alcohol to remove it. dont scrap it off or you will leave marks on the cpu.

    bikerboy
  • Radio91PRadio91P Layton, UT New
    edited April 2006
    Alright cool. Thank you for the tip man.

    Radio91P:mullet:
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited April 2006
    The pad is known as TIM (thermal interface material). Iti s to make up for a poor fit and allow heat transfer. It is not very good. Remove it and use AS5.

    One problem with TIM is that it takes a set. It is supposed to do this, but if you ever dismount the HSF it will not reseat properly.
  • EssoEsso Stockholm, Sweden
    edited April 2006
    Application instructions for thermal compound.

    __________________________________________________
    Table of contents.

    - Information.
    - Material list.
    - Important notes.
    - Installation instructions
    - Artic Silver instructions.
    - Notes.
    __________________________________________________

      Information.

        Material list.

        • Artic Silver no 5, or equal thermal compound.

        • The cleaning detergent must be 100 % oil free.
          Use 100 % Oil free Acetone. ( Note. some Acetone contains oil.)
          Or use isopropanol.



          Important notes.

          • Use lint free cloth.
            Any obstacles between the cooler and the Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS), and the heat transfer will not work properly.

          • Acetone is very aggressive and will melt plastic.
            The cooler is made out of aluminum or copper , where the Acetone have no dangerous affect.
            Also Acetone can remove the IHS text, so be careful.

          • Wash your hands before and afterwards handling the AS-5, it is poisoned and your fingers contains grease.
            Avoid all skin contact with AS-5.

          • When the thermal compound has melted down into the metal structure it is difficult to remove it completely.

          • Always use 100% oil free detergent. Do not use nail-polish remover, it contains oil.

          • Investigate that the surface of the cooler and IHS is flat.
            Use vernier calliper or similar flat tool to check it out against the lamp light.
            In the worse case the cooler/IHS is not flat and will make poor contact.

          • Do not remove the cooler from the CPU to look at the thermal compound once its has been mounted on the IHS.
            Doing so will introduce air pockets into the interface layer and the work has to be redone.

          • It is more important that the CPU core, which is located in the middle of the IHS will be in contact with the cooler.
            The IHS is larger then the CPU core, as shown in this picture 8. | picture of removed AMD-64 heatspreder.

          • It will take up to 200 hours and several thermal cycles to achieve maximum particle to particle thermal conduction between the cooler
            and the IHS to reach maximum conductivity.
            Generally about 1-2 degres more cooling affect.


            Artic Silver instructions.



              Installation instructions.

              1. Please read this guide.Picture 7,displays how much thermal compound should be used in the middle of the IHS.

              2. Please study the instructions how to mount the cooler on the CPU and the motherboard.
                Make sure no motherboard components will get in contact with the cooler.

              3. If you are not going to use the thermal compound pad included with CPU box cooler, then remove it.
                This will probably void the warranty.

                Do not use a knife to remove the box compound pad.
                Put the Heatsink in a small container and use Acetone to soak it up for some time.
                Never use AS-5 and the thermal pad compound together.

              4. Clean both the IHS and cooler.

              5. Inspect that there is no lint on the IHS and the cooler.

              6. Apply a small amount of Arctic Silver in the middle of the IHS, as shown in picture 7. | and in this picture.

              7. Mount the cooler in parallel on top of the CPU.

              8. Twist the cooler 1 time, 2 degrees clockwise then 2 degrees anti-clockwise.
                Note. It is not possible to perform this step sometimes.

              9. Do not lift the Cooler to check, and then reseat it.
                It will introduce air bubbles and that is not good, if lifted the procedure has to be redone from the start.

              10. Bolt the cooler onto the motherboard.

              11. Before installing the motherboard in the chassis wash your hands.


                Notes.
                Use only a small amount of AS-5 in the middle of the IHS and don't use too much.
                The thermal compound shall not get onto the motherboard.
                AS-5 contains silver.

                The purpose of all thermal compound like the AS-5, is that it should penetrate into the metal structure to enhance the
                heating transfer from the CPU to the Heatsink.
                To much of it and it will not work so good.
                Also AS-5 will prevent oxidation of aluminium or copper.

                Some people apply new AS-5 every 6-12 months, to increase the heat transfer.
                The compound evaporates or become less effective over time.

                .
              • lemonlimelemonlime Canada Member
                edited April 2006
                Thanks for the very thorough information Esso!

                For anyone who doesn't know, Esso has written some great FAQs on some popular hardware sites, and is a very knowledgable guy :cheers:
              • psupef2kpsupef2k
                edited April 2006
                My AS5 is like 2 years old. Should I buy a new tube?
              • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
                edited April 2006
                psupef2k wrote:
                My AS5 is like 2 years old. Should I buy a new tube?

                Well, the components in the tube will seperate out over time. Your options are to either squeeze out the whole contents of the tube and remix them thoroughly, or buy a new tube. Or you can apply it as-is and get a slightly poorer cooling effect, most likely.
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