Safe to use shim on Athlon XP?

[skybolt_1]

Hey I just had a quick question. I just got an Athlon XP 1700+ along with a Thermaltake copper shim. My question is will the shim short out any of the electrical traces on the top of the processor? I am worried since the shim is conductive and I've heard that they can screw up the proc. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

skybolt_1

[otheos]

Copper? no, better not. Is it for the XP specifically? Even you gamble your chips life based on the craftsmanship of whoever made the shim that it made the height to match exactly that of the cpu core.

I'd leave it off, as it worsens heat dissipation, is conductive, and may be slightly higher than the core.

[KTS]

if your concerned about cracking your CPU Comp usa has a copper core heatsink with a mechanism that twists to secure it works like a charm....costs about $20

[skybolt_1]

well, its not higher than the core, I already verified it. ALso its made by Thermaltake, and it is made specifically for the XP proc. I kind of want it because I'm an OC'er and I take off the heatsink at least once a month or so. I bought the shim from www.directron.com and the specs on it can be found here

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

[Sweeper]

I shim mine, but I never use the copper ones..... to conductive for me. I have always used the non conductive

[skybolt_1]

Well I think what I'll end up doing is putting it on top of the proc while its off and seeing if it does hit any of the electrical traces... if it does I might cut that part out with my dremel. I move my computer constantly to LAN parties and such and I really want the added insurance. Thanks for the input though.

skybolt_1

[pickel]

Just built a system W/ a Duron..no shim, just be careful

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...0_118_756_3734^3748,00.html

Scroll down to ..Socket A AMD processor and heatsink installation guide.. in PDF form

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

I never use shims, if the shim is 1/16 of an inch to thick it will hold the heatsink off the CPU and she can burn 1/16 too thin and it might as well not be there, The die's on the chips don't crack that easy, it does happen, but that's usually from rocking the heatsink to apply the second clip with high pressure on it. If you lay the heatsink flat and press firmly (not too firmly) and hook the latches with you free hand you should have no probs applying it. and you shouldn't need a shim.

[Bullion]

i dont use shims, ,and i have applied/reapplied the heatsink many many many many times when i was unlocking my chip. I dont see the need myself, they are a low cost item that need to be machined very exactly, those two attributes kinda dont work well together. IMO