9mmCensor
Disabled
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2003
- Location
- Banned Camp
A Guide to Thermal Pad & Paste Removal and Application
So here is a guide to tell all(mostly) about TIM .
ABC's of Themal Stuff.
Thermal Interface Material (TIM) - This is the stuff (a paste or a 'pad') that helps conduct heat from your CPU's die or IHS to the heatsink.
IHS - Integrated HeatSpreader, these are the things seated on your CPU (Pentium 4's and the A64 family has them) that spread the heat around, and are primarily used to prevent damage to the die.
Die - This is the actual CPU's main area, it is situated in the middle of the CPU and is a quadrangle (4 sided). This is where the heat comes from.
Important Links:
OC.com's TIM Removal Guide - Read this to find out how to remove the TIM
Arctic Silvers Application Guide - Read this to find out how to apply the TIM
OC.com's Lapping Guide - Read this to find out how to lap a heatsink or waterblock.
Lapping Kits - Easy PC Kits - The best there is.
Make sure you get whats advertised!
Common Solvents:
Carberator Cleaner - Very Good, non damaging.
PURE Acetone - Very good, very strong, potentially damaging to the CPU (not the die though), so take care when using acetone.
Xylene based (Goof Off - NOT Goo Off) - Good.
Nail Polish Remover - BAD. BAD. IT has oils that will hurt preformance (thermally), BAD - DO NOT USE.
Isopropyl Alcohol - The stronger the better it will remove it, be careful though.
WD-40 - BAD. Leaves trace oil residue.
ArctiClean - Great stuff. More expensive than other things though.
FAQ:
"How do I remove the thermalpad/AS"
Read the link provided, it does a VERY good job of imforming you of this (OK mabey I am a little biased)
"How do I apply AS5"
Read the link provided.
"Do I need to lap my heatsink or waterblock?"
If it has had some previous TIM on it, especially the stock stuff, yes you should. You dont have to, but it will hamper preformance slightly.
"How thick should the layer of TIM be?"
Thin, as thin as possible, while still completely covering the die.
"Which method traditional (user spreads it) or the new "rice grain" style where the pressure of the heatsink spreads the TIM around.
This has yet to be concluded with any certainty. But the current belief is that for CPU's with Heatspreaders there is no difference, but for application to the actual die, then the tradition method is best.
"I lapped my heatsink/waterblock, and now its like a mirror, it must be super flat now."
Is a ball bearing shinney? (yes) Is it flat? (no).
"Oh my gosh! I changed thermal paste and my temps when up/down 10 degrees Celcius!"
In short motherboard temperature sensors sensors are not good, and there are many factors that can change (ambient temp being a big one) that could lead to these results. They are most likely misleading.
Optimal Temps of Common Pastes
AS5 -> Long-Term: –50°C to 130°C (> 180°C Peak)
Ceramique -> Long-Term: –150°C to 125°C (> 180°C Peak)
AS Alumina - Long-Term: – 40°C to >180°C
Picking a paste that is suited for your application is important to achieve optimal results. This is more important for temps less than zero, as temps should not get as high as the max for these pastes. Therefore when using phase change or other extreme coolers (LN2, Dry Ice) consider the temperature your cooler will be running an pick a paste to suit it.
Next up:
Settling Time
PM me if you have anything to add.
- 9mmCensor
So here is a guide to tell all(mostly) about TIM .
ABC's of Themal Stuff.
Thermal Interface Material (TIM) - This is the stuff (a paste or a 'pad') that helps conduct heat from your CPU's die or IHS to the heatsink.
IHS - Integrated HeatSpreader, these are the things seated on your CPU (Pentium 4's and the A64 family has them) that spread the heat around, and are primarily used to prevent damage to the die.
Die - This is the actual CPU's main area, it is situated in the middle of the CPU and is a quadrangle (4 sided). This is where the heat comes from.
Important Links:
OC.com's TIM Removal Guide - Read this to find out how to remove the TIM
Arctic Silvers Application Guide - Read this to find out how to apply the TIM
OC.com's Lapping Guide - Read this to find out how to lap a heatsink or waterblock.
Lapping Kits - Easy PC Kits - The best there is.
Make sure you get whats advertised!
Common Solvents:
Carberator Cleaner - Very Good, non damaging.
PURE Acetone - Very good, very strong, potentially damaging to the CPU (not the die though), so take care when using acetone.
Xylene based (Goof Off - NOT Goo Off) - Good.
Nail Polish Remover - BAD. BAD. IT has oils that will hurt preformance (thermally), BAD - DO NOT USE.
Isopropyl Alcohol - The stronger the better it will remove it, be careful though.
WD-40 - BAD. Leaves trace oil residue.
ArctiClean - Great stuff. More expensive than other things though.
FAQ:
"How do I remove the thermalpad/AS"
Read the link provided, it does a VERY good job of imforming you of this (OK mabey I am a little biased)
"How do I apply AS5"
Read the link provided.
"Do I need to lap my heatsink or waterblock?"
If it has had some previous TIM on it, especially the stock stuff, yes you should. You dont have to, but it will hamper preformance slightly.
"How thick should the layer of TIM be?"
Thin, as thin as possible, while still completely covering the die.
"Which method traditional (user spreads it) or the new "rice grain" style where the pressure of the heatsink spreads the TIM around.
This has yet to be concluded with any certainty. But the current belief is that for CPU's with Heatspreaders there is no difference, but for application to the actual die, then the tradition method is best.
"I lapped my heatsink/waterblock, and now its like a mirror, it must be super flat now."
Is a ball bearing shinney? (yes) Is it flat? (no).
"Oh my gosh! I changed thermal paste and my temps when up/down 10 degrees Celcius!"
In short motherboard temperature sensors sensors are not good, and there are many factors that can change (ambient temp being a big one) that could lead to these results. They are most likely misleading.
Optimal Temps of Common Pastes
AS5 -> Long-Term: –50°C to 130°C (> 180°C Peak)
Ceramique -> Long-Term: –150°C to 125°C (> 180°C Peak)
AS Alumina - Long-Term: – 40°C to >180°C
Picking a paste that is suited for your application is important to achieve optimal results. This is more important for temps less than zero, as temps should not get as high as the max for these pastes. Therefore when using phase change or other extreme coolers (LN2, Dry Ice) consider the temperature your cooler will be running an pick a paste to suit it.
Next up:
Settling Time
PM me if you have anything to add.
- 9mmCensor
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