CPU Thermal Paste necessary?

[DragonQ0105]

Considering responses from previous threads, it looks like my CPU is damaged.

I can't find any 1.2GHz 200MHz FSB CPUs anywhere, but I have found an AthlonXP 2000+ (1.67GHz) Retail (with correct rating HSF, instructions, nice little sticker etc.) which'll work, but because my RAM is only PC100, I'll have to run it at 100FSB Speed (resulting in 1.26GHz - similar to my current 1.2GHz). It is £42, which I'm told is relatively cheap.

This is turning out to be expensive, lol. I won't be able to buy new RAM for a while (to get the 133MHz FSB out of the CPU to get it to full speed), but when I do it'll make sense to get DDR2100 or higher since there's no point getting PC133 if my board supports SDR and DDR RAM.

A new 400W PSU will be another £12 too...sigh...lol.


ANYWAY, my question:
Since the HSF is rated correctly, and is recommended by AMD (since it's retail), and it has a Thermal Pad, is Thermal Paste necessary? If not, can I just plonk it on top of the CPU and as long as I have the PSU out of the case and therefore maximum airflow, will it run cool enough? (i.e. not get damaged?)

Thanks in advance for replies.

 

[Jason777]

Personally, I would install it exactly as the instrcutions state and not modify it in any way. The retail AMD processors usually come with a pretty hefty warranty, at least in the US anyway.

 

[DragonQ0105]

Yeah it's a 3-year warrantee...OK thanks for the reply

 

[ski]

A thermal pad should do the job, although thermal paste like Arctic Silver will reduce the CPU's temp a few extra degrees C.
If you find that it's running over 60 deg. C at full load, then you can always remove the pad and apply paste.
If it's still running too hot, then make sure that the case is being well ventilated.
If that's ok, then install a more efficient CPU cooler.

BTW, newer Athlons have 'locked in' settings for FSB speed and multiplier, so it's going to run at its design speed.
The RAM's frequency can be configured separately.

 

[SkipCox]

Jason is correct. Here's a link to AMD's video page.

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_869_4348^6678,00.html

Skip

http://home.comcast.net/~skip9/index.html

http://scc.i8.com

 

[paparazi]

DragonQ0105
The pad will be fine but remember, use it only once, this material is phase changing (activated by heat) so once heated and removed should not be used again.
So set the memory to 100 and the CPU to 133 to get the correct clock speed.
What motherboard do you have? something like an ECS K7S5A or a Jetway V266B? there aren't that many motherboards around with both ram options.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[DragonQ0105]

I have an MSI KM2M Combo-L...

But surely the RAM would not be correctly syncronised with the CPU if they ran at different clock speeds....

Also, if it is possible to have PC100 SDRAM run with 133MHz FSB CPU, what do I set the jumper to on the motherboard? 133 or 100?

 

[ski]

Since your MB has a jumper(SW1) for setting the CPU's FSB speed, then it appears that you have 2 options:

(1) Set SW1 to a 100 MHz, and set the 'DRAM Clock' and 'DRAM Timing' settings to SPD in BIOS(Advanced Chipset Features -> DRAM Clock/Drive Control). These settings should enable the CPU and the RAM to run in synch.

(2) If things do not work correctly in (1)*, then set SW1 to 133 MHz, and set the 'DRAM Clock' and 'DRAM Timing' settings to SPD in BIOS. The CPU and RAM will not run in synch.
*You may have to reset CMOS with MB jumper JBAT1 if the system does not boot with the FSB set at 100 MHz in (1) above.

Also, if your RAM does not have SPD, then use the following settings in BIOS:
DRAM Clock - 100 MHz
DRAM Timing - Manual
DRAM CAS Latency - 2.5
Bank Interleave - Disabled
Trp - 3T
Tras - 6T
Trcd - 3T
DRAM Burst Length - 4
DRAM Command Length - 2T

 

[SkipCox]

The KM2M ComboL will support 100 and 133Mhz processors and up to PC2100 memory. It should autodetect your particular combination with SW1 set to 133Mhz and the advice from ski applies.

Errata:

Expect pretty accurate temp reporting from the 2000+ as it uses on chip diode of the 2000+. With an older processor without on chip diode you will see readings ~15°C below real values that include 5°C temp fluctuations.

The cmos clear jumper JBAT1 is easy to reach.

Make sure the 4 pin power connector on the psu is attached to the motherboard. It is required.

"But surely the RAM would not be correctly syncronised with the CPU if they ran at different clock speeds....
"

True, but it's not the end of the world.



Skip

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http://scc.i8.com