New CPU fan/heatsink woes

[simmo]

Right then, ive just purchased a new Coolermaster Aero 7+ and some silver compound...

I was wondering :

What do I need to keep in mind when replacing my current fan/heaksink ?
How much silver compund do I apply, and where ?
Do I have to clean it ?
Do I have to leave the compund to set before use ?
etc etc...

And also, i'm puttin my old fan/heatsink into my old comp because that one has busted (main reason i'm buying this), and I remember putting a fair amount of compund on the CPU (not that much), will I have to clean that or can I just place it on there ?
Oh, and my current heatsink has a thermal pad on it, will I have to take that off also if i'm putting it itno another comp ?

Thxs people! :cheers:

 

[Maxi]

Right then, ive just purchased a new Coolermaster Aero 7+ and some silver compound...

I was wondering :

What do I need to keep in mind when replacing my current fan/heaksink ?
How much silver compund do I apply, and where ?
Do I have to clean it ?
Do I have to leave the compund to set before use ?
etc etc...

First thing I wanna say: Thermal pads *shudder*

Remove!!11one

You should use arctic silver 5, thats the best stuff, imo. When applying you need to put as thin a layer as possible, when I apply it I use a latex glove. I just put some on my finger and apply it, it should be just thick enough to cover the core with a silver layer, also you should put some on the bottom part of the heatsink, but just very little, extreamly little.

When removing silver paste I use Q-tips, very good way, very easy. Also you could use isopropanyl(sp) alcholol when cleaning. But I don't, since I can't get ahold of any. You don't have to leave the compound on before puttung the heatsink on, just slap on the paste (not literally) and then put the heatsink back on the cpu.

When changing your heatsink, you have to be carefull not to damage any traces (the small copper thingies on which electricity runs through on your mobo) and small chips. It's really quit straight forward.

 

[simmo]

Thxs for the info m8ty , exactly what I needed :thumbs:

 

[Maxi]

No problemo .

 

[lePobz]

If you have an expensive CPU its always wise to buy a CPU shim too (a thin bit of metal that sits inbetween your CPU and the cooler - guarantees that the DIE (the chip on top of the cpu) does not crack when you force the cooler on to it.

 

[Asus]

When removing the pad, don't scratch the heatsink.
Scratches = Bad.
Thermal paste spread paper thin is all that is needed to cover a bare core.
If your CPU has a heatspreader then just a dab (size of a small grain or rice) in the center of the heatspreader.

 

[simmo]

Right then ive put me new one in and i'm getting abnormally high temps :|, like 47-50c idle! :O

Anyways, now to clean the old one , there is a copper circle on the base of the heatsink with a thermal pad on top :x, cause I couldnt seem to get the copper bit off

thxs

ps: my fan/heatsink Aero Coolermaster 7+

 

[Maxi]

If you have an expensive CPU its always wise to buy a CPU shim too (a thin bit of metal that sits inbetween your CPU and the cooler - guarantees that the DIE (the chip on top of the cpu) does not crack when you force the cooler on to it.

From my experience shims are bad, they raise temps.

 

[Ceron]

nice tips

 

[lePobz]

how does a shim thats nowhere near the DIE intefere with the contact between the DIE and the cooler?

I've got a shim on my xp 2800+ along with arcticsilverII and a de-padded stock cooler and the temp is 40'c on a full load, thats less than the 2600+ I had with an overclockers cooler + no shim.

 

[Asus]

Shims have gotten a bad rap for decreasing temps. even though they can protect the die.
I don't really have experience with Shim's except the one that shorted out my friends PC (his own fault).

Depending on your room/case temp, 50C at idle isn't abnormal nor anything to worry about.
The temp. you need to worry about is full load. (Prime95 is a good test).
This will usually stress the CPU even more than games will. ~65C is still OK.
Above that I would use a good aftermarket cooler though.