Help! Arctic Silver application....

B

brian0918

I followed the instructions exactly at
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm , for a
Pentium 4 using Arctic Silver 5. However, the computer kept shutting
off quickly, probably due to overheating. So, I took off the heatsink,
and found that the thermal compound had not spread out at all, but
stayed right in the center.

It's pretty cold where I live, so it could be that the cold has made
the thermal compound more difficult to spread. Or, it could be that the
heatsink is not pressing down hard enough on the CPU's flat heat
spreader. The first possibility seems more likely, since the heatsink
is securely locked in position.

Should I try setting the heatsink under a lamp to warm up the compound,
so that it will easily spread?

Thanks!
 
J

JAD

I would say that if the compound did not spread thin after the heat sink was
installed, the heat sink is not installed correctly.
 
D

DaveW

Sounds like a good plan to heat the Arctic Silver so it's spreadable.
Obviously heating it won't hurt it.
 
D

David Maynard

brian0918 said:
I followed the instructions exactly at
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm , for a
Pentium 4 using Arctic Silver 5. However, the computer kept shutting
off quickly,

How quick is "quickly?"
probably due to overheating.

What causes you think so?
So, I took off the heatsink,
and found that the thermal compound had not spread out at all, but
stayed right in the center.

How thick was the part 'in the center' and how long has it been since
application?
It's pretty cold where I live, so it could be that the cold has made
the thermal compound more difficult to spread. Or, it could be that the
heatsink is not pressing down hard enough on the CPU's flat heat
spreader. The first possibility seems more likely, since the heatsink
is securely locked in position.

Make sure the heatsink is oriented properly as that's the most common cause
of heatsink related temperature problems.
Should I try setting the heatsink under a lamp to warm up the compound,
so that it will easily spread?

Normal CPU temps are hot enough and if the processor was 'over heating'
then it for sure got hot enough.
 
W

w_tom

Cold room temperature is irrelevant to your problem. If
heatsink was properly seated, then thermal compound must
spread so thin that most of heatsink contacts CPU. Purpose of
thermal compound is to connect (fill) those few spots where
microscopic 'holes' do not connect CPU to heatsink.

Your heatsink was probably not properly seated. Or each
worse, heatsink is grossly mal-machined. A properly machined
heatsink is tapered so that most pressure is at center where
CPU chip would be closest to heatsink.

If too much thermal compound is applied, then some paste
will ooze out. Correct by removing all thermal compound and
apply almost nothing again. 'Almost nothing' is a best
thermal interface. Thermal compound only to fill those
microscopic holes. Any thermal compound that leaks out -
touches electrical conductors - can create computer crashes.

Most any thermal compound is typically same as Arctic
Silver. Arctic Silver hype demonstrates widespread 'computer
naivety' and how easily 'computer assemblers' can be separated
from their money. Arctic Silver costs so much more only due
to hype.

Finally, a most important number is 'degree C per watt' for
that heatsink. Manufacturer who is dumping inferior heatsinks
(ie improper surfacing of the CPU / heatsink interface) will
avoid all mention of that most critical number: degrees C per
watt. He hopes you will install excessive thermal compound or
use thermal pads to correct that poorly machined surface.
 
G

Guest

brian0918 said:
I followed the instructions exactly at
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm , for a
Pentium 4 using Arctic Silver 5. However, the computer kept shutting
off quickly, probably due to overheating. So, I took off the heatsink,
and found that the thermal compound had not spread out at all, but
stayed right in the center.
Should I try setting the heatsink under a lamp to warm up the compound,
so that it will easily spread?

Yes, and that works much better than heating only the compound. Don't
be afraid of heating the heatsink and the CPU as well to over 100 degs.
F.
 
D

dawg

You only need a tiny drop of AS. Spread it out with a credit card or
similar. It only has to be a paper thin layer.
 
T

Tony

You only need a tiny drop of AS. Spread it out with a credit card or
similar. It only has to be a paper thin layer.


<snip>

I thought the same thing when I read this post.. That's how I did mine
when I used it on my last build.. but according to the instructions
link he provided, apparently the AMD x64 cpus are to be done a
different way.. Not spread out by hand, but by the pressure of the
heat sink.

Tony!
 

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