shims?

[timothy100]

i have only installed 1 heatsink and it wasnt very big. im kind of nervous about putting an AX-7 on my new 1800+... should i get a shim just to be safe? does a shim make your temps higher?

[DManeKid]

shims could make your temps higher bc they may raise your hs off your cpu by a little and then there isnt good connection between the 2...there are bad things about shims that i have heard also but i really cant remember them now

[hellrazrblade]

they CAN raise your temps by being slightly too thick, but that can always be fixes with a little lapping, no biggie really. i have heard that copper shims run the risk of shorting out, but i'm using one and i have had zero trouble. the shim can actually lower temps if it is the right thickness (which 99% of the time it will be). This is because it transfers heat from the chip to the heatsink many times better than air. if you want peace of mind about shorting, get an anodized one. otherwise get a copper one. i would definately say get one because they're good cheap insurance, especially with a big hs like the ax7

[timothy100]

ok, thanks for the info

[RangerJoe]

shims are a good idea...$7 to make sure my core doesnt chip...hmm..thats tough...chances are the shim wont be thick enough to to raise off the heatsink..

if you get one..go to www.hardcorecooling.com they have anodized shims which are non-conductive....check it out..they are a good buy

[Skiing Squirrel]

I've got an ax7 on my 1800+ and my cpu temps @ idle are 32 and at load anywhere from 34-37. I didnt even considering using a shim. I didn't want to spend the extra 7 bucks, Im so cheap.

[AznSupaStar23]

My Shim is from thermaltake is taht fine? or should i get a new one?

[Starfoxer]

just make sure your shim isn't conductive such as copper.
you want a aluminum shim, normally the colored ones are
aluminum and safe. shims are a good investment to save
a 80+$ cpu. i don't think they are thick enough to raise the
HSF. just thick enough to keep it from crushing the core. :p

[AznSupaStar23]

so copper no good?

[Starfoxer]

copper no good :beer:

[RangerJoe]

http://www.hardcorecooling.us/product.asp?0=208&1=241&3=16
copy and paste that...

there it is....that will keep your cpu crack free

[AznSupaStar23]

um fox how about the one just above this post the link? is taht good? stupid blue color

[hellrazrblade]

*raises hand* what in the world are you guys doing to your cpu's that a copper shim would short something out?

[AznSupaStar23]

http://www.thermaltake.com/products/accessories/simXp.htm

thats what i got ech gota get new shim

[Fatman42]

I always made the assumption that shims could drop temps. I understand that if the shim raises the cooler off the die then that could raise temps. However, if the shim is the correct thickness - then it's in direct contact with the CPU packaging/board and also the heatsink (leaving the die in position). That physical connection should conduct away more heat than an air gap (as exists without a shim). Any flaw in that argument?

[parkan]

Bah, I use a 2-pound glaciator with no shim and no fear!:beer: :D

(it might still be a good idea though, there's quite a few people in classifieds selling their chipped CPUs for keychains)

[schoolie]

Shims will not lower CPU temps. To lower CPU temps, the shim would have to be in contact with the hot area of the CPU package (i.e. the die itself).

I'd also like to cast a vote for no shim.

[SkiFletch]

dude, everybody knows it isnt the same with protection as it is without :D

[Yodums]

Originally posted by AznSupaStar23
http://www.thermaltake.com/products/accessories/simXp.htm

thats what i got ech gota get new shim

Dude that's copper -- it's conductive! Man I would definitely get a shim for an AX7. I mean I heard it's a pain to get on and off and these are coming from experienced overclockers. Listen to them the first time and don't screw up.

[madcow235]

i don't see why the shim has to be non conductive. Its not like you are hooking wires up to it

[Skiing Squirrel]

I agree the ax7 was(is) hard to get off and on. I have one on my xp, and everything is ok, I guess it is a hit-or-miss situation where the ax7 fits too hard to the cpu and cracks it.

[RangerJoe]

a shim wont raise of lower your temps...its merely there to keep from cracking the core...and its $7, its $7 insurance for an $80+ cpu...so whats the harm in that? why does it matter what color it is? it will be UNDER YOUR HEATSINK...YOU CANT SEE IT. id get an annodized shim just because of the chance of something touching it..chances are it wont..but theres nothing wrong with getting a blue one..rather than a copper colored one...since you cant see it. i know people who have cracked the core from not having a shim, and i know people that havnt cracked their core..and dont have a shim...but i have installed a few heatsinks on my computer prolly a total of 15-20 times..and it hasnt even been a year since i built my first computer...so chances are, i would have cracked the core...it doesnt hurt anything...so what the heck?

[athlonnerd]

be carfull

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=104192

im having bad experience

[MEAT BAG]

unless you have shaky hands you dont need one.

[HaywirE]

Here's one horror story.

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=104192

[RangerJoe]

ive had a shim since day 1, never had a problem....and anyway...you should put the shim on a glass table or something before you install it, to make sure its flat...common sense. but anyway

ps, you two posted the exact same thread.

[AznSupaStar23]

fine ill get the blue one lol.... Thanks