HELP! im new to this and need advice...

[lazytomc]

HELP

I'm new to overclocking and I just bought a Thermaltake 6Cu+ cooler which doesn't have any interface material on the copper base. I want to use it to cool an Athlon XP 1700+ which is not overclocked at the moment. How essential is the interface material? Will the cooler short out the cpu, or is it ok to use the cooler as it is? should I put something else where the insulating material should be, and if so, what?

cheers!

[jazztrumpet216]

VERY essential. There are rough spots all over the core and the base of the hearsink, and the interface compound fills those gaps so you have an even surface to distribute the heat, also the interface compound acts as somewhat of a heat conductor. I wouldn't use a HSF without an interface compound, it won't work properly.

[lazytomc]

Ok, thanks. What sort of stuff do i need to use? I guess it needs to be heat-conducting, but what about electrical properties? Surely putting a great big conductor on top of the CPU isn't a great idea?

What do you normally use?

[jazztrumpet216]

Most interface materials aren't electrically conductive, or at least not to the point at which they'd do damage. Though it's still not a good idea to get that stuff close to CPU pins or anything like that. I normally use Arctic Silver II, it's fairly universal around here. Another one of the better ones is the Radio Shack stuff, but Arctic Silver is better.

By the way: Welcome to the Forums! Nice to have another member around here!

[lazytomc]

I've got hold of a sachet of "Heatsink Silicone Compound" made by SilMore. Is this ok to use?

[jazztrumpet216]

A silicone compound? Yes, those are good to use. Almost sounds like the stuff Thermaltake uses. I generally use ASII so I can't atest to how well it will work, but any thermal compound is better than none at all. Usually the silicone stuff is pretty good.

[lazytomc]

Thanks very much for your advice!

[jazztrumpet216]

No problem. We're all here to help and be helped. Glad you chose to come to Overclockers.com, and hope you enjoy the articles and our forums!