Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Heatsync Question

Sep 3, 2004 1:51AM PDT

I recently purchased an Athlon XP 3000+ and a compatible heatsync. The heatsync comes with a protective "pink heat spot" on the bottom of the heatsync, which is supposed to act like thermal grease. I was wondering if I should use thermal grease instead of this "heat spot", and if I do, if I should try and remove the spot (as the instructions reccomend) when I use the thermal grease.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re: Heatsync Question
Sep 3, 2004 2:02AM PDT

I'd follow the instructions.

- Collapse -
Re: Heatsync Question
Sep 3, 2004 2:22AM PDT

But would you reccomend using thermal grease instead of the "spot"?

- Collapse -
Re: Heatsync Question
Sep 3, 2004 2:41AM PDT

Both work well. If you take the time to research this, you find indications that one is better than the other. The results go both ways, so it's your choice.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: Heatsync Question
Sep 3, 2004 2:59AM PDT

Which would you reccomend?

- Collapse -
Re: Heatsync Question
Sep 3, 2004 3:11AM PDT

I reccomend either the pink heat pad or goop. There were a few that tried it with neither and fried CPU was the result.

Remember that you can find web pages declaring either one to be better.

Bob

- Collapse -
Now I have another problem...
Sep 3, 2004 3:56AM PDT

I'm trying to install the heatsync, but I can't get the short clip to go over one end of the socket. I took the heatsync off, and now the pink pad looks messed up. First, any tips on installing the heatsync? And second, should I now wash the pink pad off an use grease, since the pad looks messed up?

- Collapse -
Re: Now I have another problem...
Sep 3, 2004 5:19AM PDT

The pad will deform on install. I guess you "have to know" when its so bad that you scrape it off and use goop instead.

Many Athlon heatsink clips are not installable with your bare hands. I have some needlenose pliars I use to grab the clip and place it over the plastic tab. I take extreme care during this step since a slipup and I could crack the CPU core or scrap the motherboard.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: Now I have another problem...
Sep 3, 2004 6:01AM PDT

Okay, I'm now trying to take the heatsync off, but I can't get the clips on the short arm of the heatsync to come off. I can slide it off because there are resistors in the way. I've tryed manipulating the mechanism in every way I can possible figure out how, but it won't slip off. What do I do now?

- Collapse -
Never mind, figured it out
Sep 3, 2004 6:24AM PDT

Thanks for your help. I managed to take of the heatsync on my own (just took a little bit of percision and a whole lot of patience). I'm going to use the thermal grease that came with the fan, just to be on the safe side. Turns out that I was trying to put the heatsync on wrong in the first place (I put the long arm on and tried to push the short one down instead of the other way around Silly). But everything is fine, and I now know how to do it. If I need any more help, I'll let you know. Thanks a lot!

- Collapse -
Re: Heatsync Question
Sep 7, 2004 7:21AM PDT

The thermal tape that is on the bottom of the heatsink will be evenly spread over the surface of the CPU as the CPU heats up. I would try this first and see what your CPU temperature is. If it is too high then you will have to COMPLETELY remove the remains of the thermal tape from both the CPU surface and the heatsink surface. I have found rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip cotton based swab to work very well to remove the old compound. If you want to use a thermal compound, please use Artic Silver 5 as it will make a good thermal conduit between the CPU and the heatsink. DO NOT use a large amount of compound when you apply it. Too much is just as bad as not having any at all. I have found a square toothpick to work well to spread the compound on the CPU surface. MAKE SURE it is a very THIN layer of compound, on the order of the thickness of a piece of paper.