Copper Shim on TBird "To Fry or not to Fry, That is the question"

[RobBSA]

I have ordered a "Copper" shim to use with Arctic Silver II. I know the Arctic Silver cautions but have found no "Cautions" or "Words of Wisdom" for installing the copper shim. I will be using a TB 1.2ghz/266fsb and a Global Win FOP32-I heat sink. Please share any experience with using the copper shim on a TBird. Many Thanks.

[FRANK]

I have no experience with a copper shim, but I do have a good bit with the Global Win FOP32 having built several systems with them and all the "tweaking" I've done to my own. I have never had any problems with that HSF, and I've had them on and off, I don't know how many times. Just be cautious, make sure that you install it squarely and use even pressure when installing the clip.

[proze]

i've only heard bad things about copper shims wrt heat... i've read a few reviews, and apparently they provide a path for mobo heat to escape into the hsf, thus raising cpu temps. also, the fop32 might not be enough cooling when you start pushing that processor. you might have to upgrade to a delta fan before too long...

[ken257]

I put a copper shim on a TBird that I sold but not for cooling. I had cut the feet off of it for my application so I just wanted something there in place of the feet to stabalize the heatsink for when the system is transported. I noticed no change in cooling with or without the shim. I had to do some cutting on the shim because it came to close to the bridges in a few spots. I used artic silver epxoy to hold it in place so it doesn't slide and cause a short/fried Bird, this is not the kind of fried bird i like for dinner :)

[asmodean]

Do a search on "copper shim" in this forum, that will give you a nice amount of posts. I'm using one myself, no problems. Just be careful with it.

[Spode]

wooo. I have an occasion to use my new catch phrase

"if in doubt, BURN IT OUT!!!"

[GhostFaceKiller]

I found this yesterday. Seens like it is better than copper shims.

www.coolerguys.com

"If you're worried about cracking your new AMD Tbird or Duron core, then consider a installing a shim for added safety. Ours are the only shims on the market that are Non-Electrically conductive. Every hole on our shims are precisely cut via laser. This ensures every piece is perfect. 100% made and cut in America.
Meets the UL-64V0 standard.
Cool silver/beige color
Temp range: 0 - 932 degrees Fahrenheit
Tensile Strength: Rigid (Excellent)
Excellent Electrical Insulator
Won't hold the heat next to the core like copper can.
This model is for the Socket A Thunderbird and Duron Only "

The Instruction:
http://www.coolerguys.com/HowTo/shim/shim.htm


Hope this Helps

Ghost

[wild_andy_c]

If a man is careful enough he should need not worry about using a shim to prevent a core crack.

I think that your worry is about shorting bridges with a copper plate - since they are cut out - there is no problem. Just make sure that you keep the arctic silver away from those bridges.

[DaveB]

I agree with Frank. Send the copper shim back. The FOP32-1 installs real easy if you just use pressure to keep it flat while latching the clip. There's just no reason to use a super conductive copper shim on your T-Bird.