Are cpu shims worth using?

[Jack]

I have heard that cpu shims are used to support a heavy heatsink &
fan without putting too much pressure on the core. But are
these shims worth using?

On my Duron I use an Artic Cooling heatsink and fan which weighs
395 g. http://www.arctic-cooling.com/en/
Is it worth me using a shim next time I change the processor?

 

[Jim]

Correction, the shim is NOT for the purposes of keeping weight off the core,
although it indeed may help in this regard. The shim is primarily to
prevent "rocking" of the HSF during installation. Because the core is
exposed, if you don't place/keep the HSF assembly exactly parallel to the
surface of the core during installation, you risk cracking it, or one of the
corners. The pads you already see on the ceramic are for these purposes
too, but many people feel they are inadequate. Hence, the shim was born.

Shims are like seatbelts, they seem (and basically are) worthless, UNTIL YOU
NEED ONE! I've never had a serious car accident, neither has my wife,
although I have heard of others having such accidents, but I'm a careful
driver, rarely get a ticket, etc. Do you think I should wear a seatbelt?

I know the example is a little trite, afterall, one is true life and death,
but we are talking about the life or death of your CPU for the sake of $7
shim. Personally, I've always used them and never had a problem. Like most
other preventative actions in life, I have no way of knowing if this has
save me or not. I only find out when the accident occurs, which is too
late.

So gathering opinions in this NG is a totally worthless endeavor. Everyone
who's *had* the accident will say, yeah, good idea. Everyone w/ the perfect
"driving" record will say, nah, waste of money, never had a problem. So
what's the right answer? It's a matter of risk/benefit analysis, how much
you are willing to gamble, NOT a function of polling for results. Maybe for
a $30 Duron 800MHz, not worth the cost/trouble. For a $150 Athlon? Hmm...,
maybe a good idea.

But if you feel confident you can keep that HSF assembly perfectly parallel
to the core at all times, even w/o the shim, despite possible troubles w/
the retention clip, for example, go for it! For me, that would be a big
factor, if you have some crappy, hard to install or uninstall retention
mechanism, the risks go way up. If it's a good design, not requiring
excessive pressure, no screw drivers, etc., maybe it's OK.

HTH

Jim

 

[Hank]

No

 

[kony]

I have heard that cpu shims are used to support a heavy heatsink &
fan without putting too much pressure on the core. But are
these shims worth using?

On my Duron I use an Artic Cooling heatsink and fan which weighs
395 g. http://www.arctic-cooling.com/en/
Is it worth me using a shim next time I change the processor?

Shims are most useful when the heatsink's mounting mechanism (clip) is
very poorly designed or overly stiff, such that it puts an abnormal
(relative to most heatsinks) pressure on the CPU core's edge during
mounting. Unless you find that heatsink to be very hard to mount, you
don't need a shim. Weight is not an issue, but sheer size might be, if it
makes the 'sink more difficult to mount and/or see what you're doing. If
it seems too hard to mount the best advise is to take your time, use the
correct sized tool for the job, and if necessary, remove the motherboard
from the case.

However, that isn't a very good heatsink... while it may be quiet for
your present use the temps may be rather high with a significantly faster
replacement CPU... as you imply with "next time I change the processor".

 

[Piotr Makley]

For me, that would be a big
factor, if you have some crappy, hard to install or uninstall
retention mechanism, the risks go way up. If it's a good
design, not requiring excessive pressure, no screw drivers,
etc., maybe it's OK.

I have been grappling with a crappy retention mechanism recently.
I had to use the tower case in an upright position.

Wouldn't using a shim make it even harder to keep all the parts in
place?

Or do you stick or retain the shim to the cpu die (or maybe
to heatsink itself) in some way while you are putting on a new
heatsink?

 

[Jim]

I just place a pin-head size drop of superglue on all four size and attach
to the CPU ceramic. Holds well enough for installation, but easily
removeable w/ a razor blade. I've had no problem using shims in this
manner, works great.

Jim

 

[Paul Hopwood]

I have heard that cpu shims are used to support a heavy heatsink &
fan without putting too much pressure on the core. But are
these shims worth using?

The purpose of the shim is purely to protect the processor during
installation of the heatsink and has little or no benefit once it is
in place.

It's much more difficult to damage an Intel CPU but if you're fitting
a heatsink to an AMD Duron/Athlon, and are not accustomed to doing so,
use of a shim is a sensible precaution.

--