Apply Heat Sink Compound. - Tech Support Forums

Ebisoba · December 30th, 2001, 08:03 PM

I just got some heat sink compound (Antec Reference Silver Thermal Compound) today, and I'm a little puzzled by the instruction on the box. It says first apply the compound onto the base of the heat sinck where the CPU core will contact it, then use a lint freee cloth to clean the surface. So the question is that don't I need to apply the compound on the heat sink too?

Also where do I apply the compound on the CPU. The Athlon XP 1600+ I have has 5 raised surfaces. 4 on the corners, 1 in the middle. Here's a picture of it.

http://photo.clubic.com/images/s/4033a.jpg

Also, I got a cooling fan, but it doesn't have any plug, just 2 wires (red and black) with exposed core at the end? Is there anywhere where I can connect the wires or it's no good?

SEALTEAMTHREE · December 30th, 2001, 08:09 PM

You apply the thermal grease to the part that says "AMD Athlon XP" on the top, or the middle square part. This is the core of the CPU (well, technically, the core is inside the square thing). Put an amount of compound about half the size of a grain of rice on the core and spread it even with a razor blade. It tells you to apply the compound to the base of the heatsink and clean it because this causes the compound to fill the microscopic pits and valleys in the metal of the HS. It really isn't necessary because I've done it both ways (rubbing it into the heatsink base and only applying it to the core) and it doesn't make any difference.

Ebisoba · December 30th, 2001, 08:18 PM

so no need to apply it on those 4 corner raised parts?

Atomic Rooster · December 30th, 2001, 08:29 PM

Just on the center core only. Read THIS from Arctic Silver. It wiil show you how to do it.

Daft_Ghosty · December 30th, 2001, 08:31 PM

nope the four corners are for helping the cpu core form being crushed.. here is a image of where to pu it.. and only put about a half a drop..

Tomteriffic · December 30th, 2001, 08:32 PM

As for the fan, you'll need to splice on the appropriate end to the thing. the parts can be found here among other places.

Ebisoba · December 30th, 2001, 08:54 PM

Thanks. Just a few more questions. In the instruction, it says use isopropyl alcohol or nail polish remover to clean the CPU and heat sink surfaces off of old compound. Are those safe to use on my CPU?

Tomterrific: So I need to get one of those $2 adaptors? I also have a fan that has a 2 pin plug but the motherboard has a 3 pin jumper, I guess I need one of those things?

Sorry I'm new to this, forgive me

SPEEDO · December 30th, 2001, 09:11 PM

If I were in your situation I would go buy a new heatsink and fan with the three wire connector on it!
The three wire fans allow the motherboard to monitor the rpm's of the fan!

SPEEDO

Ebisoba · December 30th, 2001, 09:16 PM

My heat sink fan has 3 pins. I'm talking about the fan I ripped out of my old PS.

The one I bought today has no plug at all. I'll just return it and get a new one.

Daft_Ghosty · December 30th, 2001, 09:23 PM

no porblem at all using isopropyl alcohol .. its rubbing alcohol.. also used for cleaing electronics, as well as your everyday scrapes =) Use it only on the core though.. that is part highlight in red in the article Rooster posted.. don't put any on the pins on the bottom.. I personaly use it myself to clean my cpu each time I take my heat sink off..

just fyi