Where should I stick the thermistors ...

[azhari]

I know the obvious answer :p

But really, I have a Digital Doc 5 with 8 thermistors. I'll be putting the system together as parts arrive and need to know where and how to put the thermistors.

For example, to monitor the cpu temp I've heard of people drilling holes into the hs for the thermistor :eek: Is this really a good idea? And if it is, where on the hs? And if its not, then where to put the thermistor on the cpu?

Same with gpu, and the rest of the system. Any suggestions, except the obvious mentioned on the first line, would be appreciated.

[Intraveinous]

As far as boring a hole into the heatsink and epoxying a thermistor there, it's not an easy task. This isn't something where you can go to Bob's hardware, pick up a drill and some bits and drill a hole. I have never done it personally, but my guess would be that you would need a drill press capable of runnign at some very low RPMs, and a good clamp to hold the Heatsink while you drilled it very slowly. Copper is a very soft metal and can be distorted pretty easily, and what a way to waste 50-80 bucks on that MC462. I have always trimmed the plastic around the end of the thermistor and then taped it down to the ceramic part of the chip, with the very tip of the thermister pressed against the side of the core. It can take a few tries to get it right, but it's a lot less dangerous than trying to bore your heatsink base. If you really really want the bored hole, my advice would be to take your heatsink to a local machinist's and have them do it.
Basically, the main thing to remember is to never have the thermistor between the heatsink and core... I know you probably know this, but I had to replace a motherboard, chip, heatsink and thermistor for a customer who thought he would get more acurate temp readings by putting the thermistor right on top of the core... He did, but none of the heat ever got to the heatsink. :D Anyway, Hope this helps!
Peace
John

[azhari]

Thanks John.

Actually we have an excellent machine shop where I work at. So I have access to computer controlled milling and drilling machines with better than 0.001" precision. So drilling a hole is not a problem. The problem is, I don't know where to put the hole and whether it should go all the way through the heatsink material or not.

BUT, I do have a couple of flat thermistors that I could put between the heatsink and the ceramic part of the cpu. Just worried that it may not let the heasink sit snug on the core.

Also, would like to know where else I should be checking temps. Should I put one under the cpu? Behind the mobo?

[Intraveinous]

OIC, well then, I'd say you have the equipment to do it. Sorry if I sounded patronizing. :D As far as where to drill the hole, etc, that would be a question better suited for one of the heatsink reviewers. I think most of the time, it's a 1/16" hole all the way through, right above where the heatsink contacts the core, and probably fairly close to the bottom surface, with the thermistor epoxied right above the core.

As for other temps to monitor. I monitor my CPU, vid card, hard drives (2), power supply, The heatsink itself (on top of the copper plate between the fins), and two hanging for ambient temp readings, one infront of the inflowing case fan and one for the outflowing case fan. I'm sure other people will have other/better ideas, but that's just what I use my digital doc for.

Good luck and enjoy that 1.4gig! :D
John

[azhari]

Why do I still get a shudder about drilling a hole in the heatsink :D