Another IT Question

[Simon]

Just about to build another PC and this time the cooling fan i bought didnt have a thermal pad on it. Can i get away with not putting on thermal compound or is it not a good idea.

Cheers

Simon

[Gary]

Sadly in my experience I have found thermal compound to be a damn good idea... otherwise you start getting a smell that resembles silicone burning.

The thermal compound allows for quick transfer of heat... without it, then air inbetween (you can't see the gaps, but they are there) get hot and bad things happen. Any old stuff will do though I used to use Arctic silver 2 seeing as I was a regular at www.overclockers.co.uk

Cheers.

[voodoo_melon]

This place (http://www.theoverclockingstore.co.uk/) do the same sort of stuff but you get free delivery, prolly worth while if you're only buying something small.

[Vez]

Please bare in mind if you are using this with an AMD chip, and the cooling fan/heatsink didnt come with a heatpad and you use a heat compound you will invalidate the warranty of the chip.

This may sound stupid, but alot of AMD distributers are refusing any chips returned with heatsink compound on them because they argue that the heat pad is adequte and to AMD specs, and the only reason to put this stuff on would be to overclock!

[Simon]

Originally posted by Vez
Please bare in mind if you are using this with an AMD chip, and the cooling fan/heatsink didnt come with a heatpad and you use a heat compound you will invalidate the warranty of the chip.

This may sound stupid, but alot of AMD distributers are refusing any chips returned with heatsink compound on them because they argue that the heat pad is adequte and to AMD specs, and the only reason to put this stuff on would be to overclock!

Is the heat pad integral on the processor (ie the copper looking square in the middle?

[Vez]

The heat pad SHOULD be on the Heat Sink! If in doubt just phone your supplier and ask there policy on AMD chip returns!

Heatsink=big metal thing with fan at top!

[Gary]

Originally posted by Simon
Is the heat pad integral on the processor (ie the copper looking square in the middle?

The copper square in the middle sounds like the core of the CPU, if the heat pad is with it... it will be attached to the heatsink and it will be a black square.

It's really strange you haven't recived one as it is common practice for them to be pre-attached, it's worth questioning your supplier.

[Simon]

Yeah i know its strange. I have made 2 before and they have always had pads on :confused:

This heatsink A Coolermaster one has a small grey pad in the middle but its about half the size of the pads ive had on the other ones ive installed its about 10x10mm square

[Vipers]

thats ok then, if there is a grey pad on the bottom of the heat sink, this is your thermal pad. but if there is nothing (bare metal) then send it back to your supplier cuz they all come with it standard. unless its a thermal take where the thermal compound is separate in the box.

[Simon]

Ok cheers

I think ill just install it without any extra compound as its only a 1.2Gig Duron. It should be ok

Thanks everyone :)

[Gary]

as long as the heat pad is big enough to cover the core, you should be ok. Durons shouldn't get too hot unless you are overclocking... err....not that I ever have :rolleyes:

[Simon]

Yeah it looks big enough to cover the core (just) and i wont be overclocking it.

[Vez]

If you said it was a coolmaster I would have said ignore heat compound and just wazz is it on.... :D

[Simon]

Originally posted by Vez
If you said it was a coolmaster I would have said ignore heat compound and just wazz is it on.... :D

Well who can ignore that sort of advise, lol :D

[Gary]

I've seen it done :) ;) :p :D