thermal compound

[JAD]

Your sarcasm is misplaced. Nobody would suggest the engineers are
incompetent. They design a system that blends convenience,
cost-effectiveness and "idiot-proofness" with performance that is
satisfactory, not necessarily optimum.

performance and 5 degrees of difference have nothing to do with each other

If they have designed a

thermal pad that works as well as Arctic Silver, I'd like to see the
data.

Why? you wouldn't use it anyway, and you would never use the two together

Sure, that's a good enough approach. You can buy an OEM machine and
eliminate even more risk and effort.

What risk? Are you admitting 'risk' when changing the type of interface?
So there are no other choices.. either mess with the interface on a
homebuilt or buy an OEM rig?

 

[Charlie Wilkes]

explain what is 'burned in' in relation to a warranty based on time and
no tampering.
You use the pad for 'the duration of a warranty then take the thing apart
because you want a 5 degree drop in temp?

No. I used it for about 3 weeks and then replaced the pad.

It was totally unnecessary, if that makes you happier. I could have
left things just the way they were. But, I was curious. Is the
Arctic Silver really better? Answer: yes, as measured by a cooler
CPU. And I'm happy to take it because I'm overclocked and putting a
load on this machine.

As for burned in, it seems arbitrary to define it, but I think I'm
past the point where chip failure is likely without a specific cause,
such as overheating or ESD. Let's say over 100 hours of use = burned
in.

Charlie

 

[beerspill]

I don't claim that my CPU performs better because it's running cooler.

I'm referring to overclockabililty.

 

[Matt]

No. I used it for about 3 weeks and then replaced the pad.

Ah, you had to wait for a full moon to be consistent with the Arctic
Silver instructions?

 

[Charlie Wilkes]

I'm referring to overclockabililty.

No, the Arctic Silver did not allow me to overclock it more, because I
tried. The benefit is marginal or perhaps nonexistent. It merely
contributes to a sense of having done the best job I can in building a
system.

Charlie

 

[Charlie Wilkes]

Ah, you had to wait for a full moon to be consistent with the Arctic
Silver instructions?

Yes. Ideally, of course, one should wait for an eclipse.

Charlie